HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 11/21/2013 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY MEETING
Nueces County Public Health District
Conference Room, 2626 Holly
The Minutes for November 21, 2013
Members Present: Cheivl Martinez,Dr. Barbara Whitlock, Janet Strawn,Barbara Beynon,Laina
Schonefeld,Harold Bennett
Members Absent: Megan Winrr
Citv Staff: Buck Brice,Damii Alcantara,Edward Cruz,Kellie Ramos
Guests: Megan Tisdale, Stephanie Orona
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Barbara Whitlock at 12:31 p.m.
2. Discussion and Possible approval of minutes from October 17,2013
Cheryl Martinez motions to approve the minutes,Barbara Beynon seconds,all approve,none oppose, and none
abstain.
3. Discussion and Approval of Absences from October 17,2013
Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that Harold Bennett and Laina Schonefeld were absent.Laina Schonefeld stated she
was out of town and Harold Bennett stated he worked. Cheryl Martinez motions to approve the absences,Barbara
Beynon seconds,all approve, none oppose, and none abstain.
4. Discussion and possible Approval of Absence Criteria
Dr. Barbara Whitlock went into discussion on what the committee considers an approved and non-approved
absence. Dr.Barbara Whitlock stated that work-related or illness and perhaps 2 vacation days per year might be
sufficient and opened the discussion. Cheryl Martinez and Janet Strawn expressed that 1 approved vacation should
be allowed since the advisoiv board only-meets once each month. Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that if a member
accrues more than 25%unexcused absences of regularly scheduled meetings,they will be dismissed from the board.
Barbara Beynon iterated this by reading the rules cited on the back of the advisory board packet. Dr.Barbara
Whitlock said the board will proceed with reviewing illness and work-related absences on a case by case basis and
no vote will be necessaiv at this time..
5. Discussion of the Current Zoonosis Report
The Zoonosis report for October 2013 was unavailable. Dr.Barbara Whitlock inquired with Damii Alcantara and
Edward Cnrz about 1 rabid bat in our cit-v. Damii Alcantara confirmed the bat was located in a baseball field and that
there was no exposure.
6. Discussion of the Current Shelter Report
Darni Alcantara reported wildlife euthanasia figures declining due to Animal Control Officers relocating wildlife.
Dr. Barbara Whitlock inquired if citizens were aware of the upcoming trap pick up changes and Damii Alcantara
responded that she believed so. Darni Alcantara noted that 3 cats were missing in kernel due to the cages they were
housed in. The cages were inadequate and contained gaps where the cats escaped.Damii Alcantara continued and
noted 1 kitten and 6 puppies died in kernel because they were too young:the puppies possibly passed due to Paivo
and ranged from 2-4 months in age.Barbara Beynon inquired if they were vaccinated upon intake since the
ordinance passed where animals under 4 months are the City's property. Damii Alcantara stated they were not
vaccinated upon intake. Darni Alcantara noted that more return to owners and citations were being done by field
officers so we animals won't need to be brought back to the shelter. Dr.Barbara Whitlock questioned if People
Assisting Animal Control was still doing return to owners. Damri Alcantara said this was done for 1 month but there
were too many loopholes and prices were so low that People Assisting Animal Control no longer conducts return to
owners.Barbara Beynon asked if the owners being cited were all dogs.Damii Alcantara stated that cat owners have
not been cited at this point unless they are hoarders.Laina Schonefeld asked what other violations may be. Darni
Alcantara noted failure to display tags,roosters were considered other,over the limit and other violations that do not
have their own citation in Chameleon. Barbara Beynon asked if sweeps were being conducted today. Damn
Alcantara acknowledged that Stillman off Nueces Bay and the alphabet sheets off of Ayers where a total of 18
citations were given and 8 dogs were impounded.Edward Cruz stated that Animal Control was taking a more
educational approach and issuing publications to animal owners in addition to issuing violations.Barbara Bel-non
inquired if the educational material was in English and in Spanish.Edward Cruz noted that flyers were not in
Spanish,but will be translated in the future.
7. Discussion of the Current and Previous Clinic Report
Dr. Barbara Whitlock noted that 236 surgeries were complete with most surgeries coming from our shelter. Cheryl
Martinez stated that 242 animals were adopted last month.Darmi Alcantara expressed that citations were being
issued out if owners of an adopted animal were not making their appointment with the vet clinic to get their pet
sterilized. Laina Schonefeld inquired how many citations were given at this point and Damn Alcantara stated 5.
8. Discussion and possible approval of Proposed Fee chanties
Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that Heather Hedrick was not present to discuss item 8.
9. Discussion and possible approval of chanties to Citv Ordinances
Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that Heather Hedrick was not present to discuss item 9.
10. Public Comments
No public comments
11. Identify items to be placed on next atienda
Vaccination upon intake status,Public Education material, Status of Rachel Ray fund distribution,Euthanasia report
regarding sick and injured animals upon intake, Add items 8 Proposed fee changes&9 changes to City Ordinances
12. Adjournment
Cheryl Martinez motions for adjournment,Laina Schonefeld seconds,all approve, none oppose, and none abstain.
Meeting closed 1:10 p.m.