HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 08/21/2014 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY MEETING
Nueces County Public Health District
Conference Room,2626 Holly
The Minutes for August 21,2014
Members Present: Dr. Barbara Whitlock, Cheryl Martinez,Janet Strawn,Mark Phillips,Megan Winn,
&Laina Schonefeld
City Staff: Debra Brown, Commander Todd Green, Commander John Houston,Danni
Alcantara,Edward Cruz,Barbara Sandoval&Jaydra Villagran
Guests: Samantha Puson,Aimee Nuss, Christina Dorris,Keren Costanzo, Shari Douglas,
Kelly Livingston,Veronica Lankford,Ruth Arclanzo,Areli Arclanzo,Tami Bruce-
Romero, Steven Pituch, Stephanie Orona,Robin Moore,Ramon Tijerina,Jody
Campbell, Tuck Serom,Barbara Gennaway, Chad Magill.
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Barbara Whitlock at 12:32pm.
2. Discussion and Approval of Minutes from July 17,2014
Cheryl Martinez states an amendment be made to item 8,line 4, change the word"commented"to"asked".
Also Item 10,line 1,change"affidavit"to`By-laws". Dr.Barbara Whitlock states an amendment be made to
Members Present: correction of member name from"Liana"to"Laina". Dr.Whitlock also states an
amendment be made to Item 2,line 1,to change"of the minutes"to"the meeting to order". Dr.Whitlock
states an amendment be made to Item 6,line 6 change"low"to"lower". Janet Strawn states an amendment be
made to change Item 12,line 8 from"the stats"to"any other information". Cheryl Martinez made a motion to
approve,Laina Schonefeld seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain.
3. Discussion and Approval of Absences from July 17,2014
No absences
4. Discussion of Current Texas Department of State Health Services Region 11 Zoonosis Report
No report available. Dr. Barbara Whitlock stated that the report is provided by the state and has nothing to
do with the advisory committee or the city.No further questions or discussions
5. Discussion of Texas Parks and Wildlife report
Barbara Whitlock stated there was 61 opossums, 61 captured, 59 released. 1 raccoon captured and 1 released. 9
skunks captured, 5 released and 7 bats captured, 0 released. 7 head for lab.
6. Discussion of the Current Shelter Report
Danni Alcantara states there was more adopted dogs in 2014 than last year in 2013. Danni states we had less
cats adopted this year in 2014 than last year in 2013;but states that the number is low due to the decrease in
intake of cats in 2014 compared to 2013. Intake levels in 2014 for cats are down 200 from last year because
Animal Care Services no longer picks up personal owned traps. Danni states rescue numbers are up on both,
dogs and cats from 2013. Danni states return to owner numbers for dogs is up by 1 from 2013 and for cats
there were no return to owners in 2014. Danni reports the numbers of euthanized dogs are down from 229 in
2013 to 149 in 2014. Danni states for month of July cats were down 291 of 2013 to 76 of 2014 but that is also
a reflection of the amount of cats we intake. Edward adds that our increases in numbers are due to the number
of rescued animals. The numbers went from 6 in 2013 to 66 in 2014. Cheryl asked why cats are not on the
euthanasia list because there have been cats here at Animal Care Services since June. She inquired as to why
they hadn't been sent out to a rescue. Danni states that rescues haven't been picking up cats and that rescues
will only pick up cats if they are already spayed or neutered. Danni also states that Animal Care Services won't
spay or neuter unless the animals are adoptable. Danni states cats do not get moved as fast as dogs. She states
the cats that do get euthanized are feral, aged, and/or sick. Danni states we keep the cats based upon
availability of cage space. Danni states we do have rescues that come in and pull but again depends on what
animals are ready to go. Edward Cruz states the numbers for violations in 2014 are up from 2013 and we have
more citations this year than last year due to the increase in staff. Edward states there were 403 calls from the
previous month and the numbers of calls this month are current.
7. Discussion of the Current and Previous Clinic Report
Dr. Barbara Whitlock states the numbers for spay and neutering are 130 for the year of 2014 and 174 for the
year of 2013. Janet asks if any were owned. Dr. Whitlock states these animals are not owned that they are
animals from the shelter that were adopted. Danni Alcantara states the numbers were lower from last year due
to Dr. Melissa Draper being out.No further questions or discussions.
8. Discussion of the Status of Rachael Ray Grant Funds
Commander Todd Green states that the purchasing department sent out RFQ forms to all the local
veterinarians that are eligible to take part in Rachael Ray. Cheryl Martinez states that she has had several vets
contact her regarding Rachael Ray and has notes that she would like Commander Green to review.
Commander John Houston states that all funds for the city have specific procedures and policies that must be
followed and that he will get with purchasing and re-evaluate. Dr. Barbara Whitlock requests that the board be
given RFQ forms to review. Dr. Barbara Whitlock asks if there are any public comments about the Rachel Ray
Funds. Christina Davis states that Animal Care Services have had Rachel Ray funds for 6 months and in that
time period 200 animals could possibly have been spayed and neutered,but because of the 6 month delay the
animal population is growing.No Further questions or discussions.
9. Discussion,and possible approval of By-laws
Cheryl made a motion to table By-laws for next month. Laina Schonefeld seconds, all approve,none oppose
and none abstain.
10. Discussion,and reviews of Volunteer Programs
Janet Strawn states that she had 7 different cities send information regarding volunteer programs and that all
volunteers were escorted by an Animal Control Officer and that the affidavits had to be in place. Mark Phillips
states he does not have any other info for cruelty. Edward Cruz states that he has a vision involving sweeps
and states that he should have some ideas next month sometime. Cheryl states she has information for
programs she has assisted in she can bring information to the next advisory meeting. Dr. Barbara Whitlock
states that Animal Care Services has a lot on their plate and there is no need at this time to recommend any
volunteer programs.No further questions or discussions.
11. Discussion,review,and possible approval of City Ordinance Creating Chapter 6,Sections 27,29,
32,54,103,104,&127 of same.
Commander Todd Green states he would like the board to review the ordinance and vote upon it. The board
asks for additional time to review the ordinance. Cheryl made a motion for to table both ordinances till next
month advisory meeting. Megan Winn seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain.
12. Discussion,review and possible approval of City Ordinance designating the CC Animal Care
Services Program Manager as the Local Rabies Control Authority(LRCA).
Cheryl Martinez made a motion to approve. Mark Phillips seconds, all approve,none oppose and none abstain.
13. Discussion,review and possible approval of City Ordinance Amending Chapter 2,Section 115 of
the Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances to modify the name of the Animal Control Advisory
Committee and to modify the ex officio members; Creating Chapter 2,section 117 of the CC
Code of Ordinances to designate the Animal Care Advisory Committee as the Animal Shelter
Committee.
Dr. Barbara Whitlock asks that the two ordinances and the approval of the By-laws be tabled for a special
meeting in September. Cheryl made a motion for a special meeting,Janet seconds, all approve,none oppose
and none abstain.
14. Public Comments
Veronica Lankford asks if it is possible for a back-up vet while Dr. Draper is absent. Commander John
Houston states he is reviewing this issue.
15. Identify items to be placed on next agenda
Zoonosis Report,Texas Parks and Wildlife Report, Current Shelter Report, Clinic Report, status of Rachel Ray
funds, approval of By-laws,Feral Cats,items that have not been approved by city council.
16. Adjournment
Dr. Barbara Whitlock motions to adjourn at 2:30 pm. Cheryl seconds, all approve,none oppose and none
abstain.