Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 04/19/2012"1rne1 Core Servi'ce City of Corpus Christi ►.�...►..� City oiF orpus Christi MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd The Minutes for April 19th, 2012 Members Present: Bill Schroeder, Samantha Person, Dr. Nina Sisley, Heather Tarnoski, Barbara Beynon and Dr. Barbara Whitlock Members Absent: none (The following staff members were present) Jesse Carreon and Mark Schauer Guests: Shane Sorenson, Cheryl Martinez, Jennifer Turner and Mark Crider 1. Call to Order: Mr. Schroeder called the meeting to order at 12:30 2. Discussion and Possible Approval of Minutes from March 15 2012 Dr. Sisley made a motion to approve the minutes, Dr. Whitlock 2 1d the motion all in favor motion passed. 3. Discussion and Possible Approval of Absences from March 15th, 2012 Mr. Schroeder noted that that Ms. Tarnoski was absent from the last meeting. Ms. Tarnoski replied it was a work related absence. Ms. Beynon made a motion to approve Ms. Tarnoski's absence, Ms. Person 2 1d the motion all in favor motion passed. 4. Discussion of Curren Zoonosis Report Mr. Schroeder noted that the Zoonosis report was attached for viewing. 5. Discussion of Current Shelter Report Mr. Carreon informed the committee of the shelter numbers as follows: 753 animals from the field; 537 were dropped off fora total of 753;12 were relocated; 5 dogs, 55 cats and 1 other were rescued, a total of 61; 49 adoptions; 50 return to owners 1 wild life rehab; 21 died +n kennel; a total of 832 euthanized for all outgoing animals. A total of 22 animals were relocated within the facility; 20 miss kennel cards; 88 bite cases. There were a total of 1,290 calls for service for the month of March with an average of 43 calls per day. Ms. Taubs also informed the committee of the total for violations were 15 failure to restrain; 15 failure to vaochate;14 failure to register;1 failure of care and keeping and 3 other for a total of 48 violations for the month of March. Dr. Whitlock asked about the dogs that were'died in kennels' were they found dead or does it include dogs that were found sick and euthanized. Mr. Carreon replied they were found dead; some were tested for parvo and they were disposed of. Ms. Beynon asked if we found dogs that had parvo in the animals that are dying. Mr. Carreon replied that there are some cases, most of them were not; if you would like numbers we can get that for you. Mr. Carreon added that of them are younger dogs Ms. Beynon asked if they were younger dogs, Mr. Carreon replied they were younger dogs. Dr. Whitlock asked about the animals that with the bite case under unknown restrained on property, are all the animals quarantined or put to sleep are they sent off for testing, Mr. Carreon replied that the majority of the animals are quarantined and some unable to impound. We need to look at the numbers for the data; this is something that I am trying to correct. Dr. Whitlock asked if the 34 were opossums and is they tested. Mr. Carreon replied that they are mostly opossums, cats and will look into what is tested. Dr. Whitlock noted that with the 34 are any of them bats Mr, Carreon replied that we do send all bats off for testing, Ms. Beynon asked if we have full investigations done on all the bite cases. Mr Carreon replied yes but we do have one person primarily for the bite cases. This is an area that we will be working on to improve for the betterment of the department. Discussion of Current Clinic Report Mr, Carreon informed the committee that for the month of March there was a total of 162 spay and neuters for the public and 38 shelter animals for a total of 200. Discussion of City dog and cat registrations in 2011 Ms. Taube informed the committee of the dog and cat registrations for the months of January and December of 2011. Ms. Taube shared with the committee the pictorial map of the City that was created by staff from our MIS department. The map shows all of city limits and with the markers you can see which areas where the licenses are purchased from Callalen and out to the island. Ms. Taube also added that people that live in areas of the city Callalen and the Bluff areas may feel that they are not required to have the license but they are. Ms. Beynon asked what the codes mean under total on the chart. Ms. Taube replied that LIC is unaltered animals, LIC SN I altered animals and the ones that show mail with them are ones that were mailed to the facility. Ms. Taube also added that these numbers do not include registration tags purchased thru the intemet. Ms. Taube added that since the office doesn't generate the monies. The total for the monies for 2011 pot registration was over $87,000.00 in revenue, which reflects over the counter, mail in and purchased at some of the veterinarian offices. 8. Discussion of the Lichtentenstein Foundation Mr, Carreon informed the committee that we have been having meetings with them along with Asst. Chief Schauer, We are looking back at numbers and evaluating. Asst. Chief Schauer added that we have also met with Ms. Jackson with the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, We spoke with her and she is doing research on a proposal. Instead of buying a clinic on wheels they would buy a van and expand our veterinarian services would be to add a part time veterinarian, We are looking into a pick up and drop off for people who can't bring their pets in. We felt this would be more cost effective and will be having another meeting with the representative to further discuss all items. Dr. Whitlock pointed out that a lot of shelters have found that the mobile clinics are not as cost effective as the stationary. Ms. Tarnoski also added that owners may become proactive in bringing their pets because with their customers they would rather bring their pet rather then we go pick them up. 9. Discussion on the Hurricane Evacuation Trailer A general discussion was held on the hurricane evacuation trailer. Mr. Schroeder explained to Mt Carreon the trailer was donated thru Cheryl Martinez. Ms. Martinez explained that it was a FEMA trailer for disaster and at this time it is filled with items for hurricane preparedness. Mr. Schroeder explained about the pictures taken by the public and a part of the monies would go to purchase items like the refrigerator, air conditioning, whatever would be needed for the trailer. 10. Discussion and review of the Raptor Prohibition Mr. Schroeder noted the item for the Raptor Prohibition. The code under Section 6- 153(e) prohibits the keeping, owning, maintaining, using or possessing on any premises within the city any prohibited animal, Section 6 -1 defines "prohibited animal' as, among otherthings, hawks, eagles and vultures, Therefore, those animals commonly referred to as birds of prey or raptors are prohibited within the city, Mr, Wood spoke to the committee at length about his background and work with the falcons. He doesn't live here full time; he has been trying to get the ordinance amended so he can house the animals when he comes here. Mr, Schroeder reminded the committee under the conclusion on the memo for the prohibition states that'we would recommend caution in considering any repeal or amendment to the ordinance." Mr. Wood is very knowledgeable but as you can see it does state to recommend caution, Mr. Carreon asked for more time to research the different cities and what they do. Mr. Schroeder asked if it's allowed, Mr. Carreon replied that there are 2 that allow but has to be under a teaching method. Ms. Beynon added that the owners would have to be licensed by Federal State Assoctation. 11. Discussion review and possible recommendation on the Breeders Permit Ordinance A general discussion was held on the possible recommendation on the breeders permit ordinance, Mr. Carreon provided the information he found on the breeder permits from other cities throughout the state of Texas. We would also like a little more time to do more research outside of Texas. We based this on the population300, 000. The City of Arlington is the population that is the closest in comparison to Corpus Christi. Mr. Carreons' hand out on the fees reflects the amount for each city. Ms. Beynon asked the fees shown are license fees not permit fees. Mr. Carreon replied that is correct. There are some that have breeder permits and generally in- tact. Dr. Whitlock felt that the city registration for In- tact dogs should be increased regardless of what is done with the breeders' permit. Ms. Beynon asked what happens when you have an owner who has a pet who cannot have surgery if they are required to be altered. Mr -. -- Carreon replied they can provide proof from their veterinarian to the office. It will be a case by case basis. It was asked what kind of exception would be allowed if a veterinarian states that they cannot be fixed. Mr. Carreon informed the committee of the amount of owner surrender's that had been brought in and at this time we are considering charging for the drop off. We spend approximately $4,000.00 on an order of our product for euthanasia. We have had people drop off who try to go out and adopt from us on the same day; we will not adopt a pet to them. Other facilities charge for the drop off and it's working. Mr. Schroeder asked Mr. Carreon what he envisions for the shelter. Mr. Carreon replied pet ownership responsibility. If they don't have a permit or registrations cite them. We get calls for our officers to pick up and they are very healthy animals. Mr. Schroeder asked about those who don't have a vehicle and we pick up couldn't they be charged a fee. Mr. Carreon added that with some of the breeds they drop off we wouldn't put in the adoption program. It makes our job harder and then we get the bad reputation. Ms. Beynon asked if the animals were still`being scanned on incoming and outgoing. Aspt. Chief Schauer added that as a safeguard during the EU process we have 2 people scan. Dr. Whitlock asked if a dog is brought in because their pet is sick and need it euthanized would you charge a fee. Mr. Carreon replied that it would be a case to case basis; with a sick animal we would probably have a lower price. 12. Public Comments Mr. Crider brought various stories in reference to Animal Control and other organizations within the San Antonio paper and noted that the Caller Times doesn't do any of this. Ms. Turner introduced herself as a par t of the Love of Strays. We bring animals in for vaccinations and spay and neutering. We have spoke with Mr. Carreon about taking some of the adoption dogs to some of our events to adopt out. At Petsmart the adoption would have to be under our paperwork but with our processes we do home checks, veterinarian check and follow up with all that is necessary. We would have a charge of $130 where we split the price of the adoption and the other go into the donation of spay and neutering, heart worm testing for the dogs we bring into the shelter for these needs. With this we would be helping each other out We would love at some point to possibly got a discount on the fees we bring to animal control in the spay and neuter since we bring'so many. There will be an event at the old coliseum for adoption in September. Ms: Martinez wanted to point out that our Gala fundraiser of the year is coming up. Our goal is to buy a washer'and dryer for the'shelter and various items for the pets here at the shelter. We have big sponsors for this event and at this time are going to be sold out. Asst. Chief Schauer noted that when we get our addendum package to the budget and Animal Control of what is needed. We don't know if we are going to get what we need are looking at better food for the cats and dogs with higher protein; enhancing the cat cages in the back; to replace the cages in the back of some of the trucks: 13. Identify items to be placed on next agenda The committee wanted the following items to be placed on the agenda for the month of May. Discussion of the Lichtentenstein Foundation; Discussion on the Hurricane Evacuation Trailer; Discussion and review of the Raptor Prohibition and discussion; Discussion and review of the appointments for the Animal Control Advisory members, review and possible recommendation on the Breeders Permit Ordinance. 14. Adjournment Ms. Person made a motion to adjourn, Ms.Tarnoski 2nd the motion alf in favor motion passed. 1:40 pm