PASCO COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE QUARTERLY MEETING February 11, 2015 MINUTES

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Gerald Nicholson
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1 Call to Order PASCO COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE QUARTERLY MEETING February 11, 2015 MINUTES Committee Chairman, Dr. Hase, called the meeting of the Pasco County Animal Services Advisory Committee to order at 7:15 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Silent roll call was taken with the following members present: Dr. Robert Hase, Chairman Dr. Jennifer Hooks Garik Nicholson Sharon Smith Pamela Lawson Dr. Tiffany Bogart Monica Pollans Sgt. Jeannine Miller Marilyn Wolf Dr. Carlos Campos Absent: Suellen Szesyski, Vice Chairman, Dr. Joseph Imburgia Staff: Michael Shumate, Ron Altman, Lise Meinke, Dr. Nil Wilkins, Debra Snyder AGENDA ADDITION: None READING OF THE MINUTES: Minutes were reviewed. Marilyn Wolf indicated a spelling error. Then a motion was made for the minutes to be approved and it was by Monica and seconded by Jeannine. Minutes approved by unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Tiffany Bogart announced that she will be resigning from the SPCA effective March 9, She introduced her replacement from the shelter Mr. Perry Bean shelter manger. Perry introduced himself, stating that he comes from the private sector and is involved in a great number of nonprofit organizations and area governor for Rotary International. He is looking forward to the challenge of shelter manager. SHELTER REPORT & OPEN DISCUSSION Shelter Report: Three staff members and two volunteers went through Play for Life Training with Amy Sadler. There was classroom training at the SPCA Lakeland and then the practical training at the shelter. At one point we had 22 dogs in a playgroup. We also included some of the dogs in C Kennel to participate in some of those play groups which allowed us to get some good assessments on those animals to move them up to the adoption center. We have had our lowest animal inventory this January with only 100 dogs and 20 cats.

2 Dr. Hase asked what we attributed that to. Mike stated that it was a combination of things. We have had some great adoption events. The event in December we adopted out about 45 animals and 30 animals were adopted out from the January event, we have also done a lot more marketing and advertising which has helped out a lot. Our Live Release Rate for November was 91%, for December it was 90% and for January is was 89%. We have partnered with Cat Crusaders, a Pasco County Rescue Group and they have been involved with several TNR projects, kept quite a few cats out of the shelter. Most recently they helped us out with a hoarding case involving 70 cats. They helped find them homes and the ones that were at the shelter we adopted out at the shelter event. Cat Crusaders used their grant monies to spay/neuter them in Hillsborough and brought them back to Pasco. Originally they were brought back to the sight of the hoarder. We did let them know that, that can t happen. So we eventually got them out to different places. As far as staffing goes, we have lost two (2) full time Animal Care Techs, who went back to school. We did replace them, although one of them only lasted a day. We also lost our Assistant Manager, Alan Davis who is now the director of Baltimore County Animal Services. We are getting ready to retire one of our computer systems Mainframe which we used for our receipts and licenses. We will quickly as possible transition everything into the two software systems we currently use, PEARL which is used for the dog licenses and PetPoint our shelter management software. We are trying to go to the next level of PetPoint which is called PetPoint Enterprise, but the company is re-structuring and they are in the process of updating all their documents indicating who can sign on behalf of the company and since it has to go before the board for signatures it has been delayed until that is done. They are close, so hopefully by next month. Our dog runs on the side of Building C have been sub-divided by facilities, so now we have 20 outside runs instead of 10. That gives us the ability to totally clear out one whole section for cleaning. The inmate program is going very well. We have only had one inmate and one deputy bitten so far. The turnover for inmates is about three weeks. Thanks to all the donations we have been receiving, every dog has a bed and every dog has a bone or enrichment toy, and the same with cats. We have also received a bequest of $25,000 left to us by someone who we did not know. Mike introduced Ron Altman our new Field Supervisor, Kevin Mallory s replacement. Marilyn Wolf inquired about the sub-division of the outside runs and was concerned about fence fighting. Mike stated that has not happened yet. We will also be adding vinyl cloth between the runs for a visual barrier and will be adding concrete so the dogs can t dig out.

3 Dr. Campos asked if we have any status on Rebates. Mike stated that the Rebate Program is the least used program as of right now. TNR is still the highest in programs we are investing in right now and then Spay/Neuter. It was asked if there have been any decisions on Cat Licensing. Mike stated that nothing has developed yet. There have been some complaints to the commissioner in regards to cat licensing. If PCAS presents a workshop to the board this year, Cat Licensing would be included. Mike would like to see cat licensing without the leash law. We would like to model it more like Hillsborough County with regulations for Community Cats & Feral Cats. Mike would like to focus on the community cat issues, publicize it more, to make citizens more aware of the rules and regulations regarding community cats. There is nothing wrong with cat colonies as long as they are managed well. What we don t want is them turning into hoarding cases or upsetting the community because they are not taking care of the cats. Dr. Campos stated that the community/feral cats which are only getting one vaccine, is really not affective. Mike stated that part of the reasoning behind a leash law and licensing for cats is to ensure that more cats are getting their vaccines. It s not just the community/feral cats, it is also the cat owners who allow their cats outdoors which makes their cats exposed to rabies and other diseases. We are looking into adding a three (3) year County license to our fee schedule. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Sharon Smith reviewed the by-laws and recommended the follow: Paragraph 3- Would like to see a term limit of two years for the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Dr. Campos had a concern that if there is a term limit, that we might eventually run out of people for the position. Marilyn Wolf suggested adding with an unlimited number of consecutive terms. So if someone wants to step up, we can hold an election, if no one steps up then the current Chairman can continue as Chairman. That after two (2) years it s not required for the person to step down if they don t want to. Tiffany Bogart suggested we pick a date now. Dr. Hase suggested that. Mike suggested that the May BCC Meeting would be the best meeting to present any changes. The motions is as follows: Chairman and Vice Chairmen, a two (2) year term with no term limits, the Chairman and Vice Chairman elections to be set for the Spring BCC Meeting on alternating years: The chairman on even years and vice chairmen on odd years. All were in favor. Paragraph 11 add as vacancies occur. Dr. Hase asked What constitutes a vacancy? A vacancy would result from a Resignation or if a committee member misses three (3) consecutive meetings. There was a motion to add as vacancies occur. All were in favor. Paragraph 12 should be deleted. There was a motion for paragraph 12 to be deleted. All were in favor. Dr. Hase mentioned that all changes will have to go before the board. Mike stated that the Ordinance gives the committee the authority to establish its own by-laws. See attached for complete revision recommendations. Anything underlined is an addition to the current by-laws. Dr. Hase also mentioned that we should change the name from Animal Control to Animal Services. There was a motion to approve all changes. All were in favor.

4 Marilyn Wolf went through the proposed changes to the Ordinance. The changes are to the committee member selecting process: Section of the Ordinance. See attached for complete recommended changes. There was a motion to approve all changes. All were in favor. These changes will need to go to the County Attorney, a Public Hearing and then before the BOCC. Mike suggested if there might be any other ordinance changes that we do them at the same time. Marilyn asked if all the recommended changes from the last revision were passed. Were there any that were not approved? Not that anyone is aware of. Back to the By-Laws, Dr. Hase recommended a change to paragraph 5: public comment will be limited to from 3 minutes to 5 minutes. There was a motion and all agreed. Ordinance Changes: Cats to be added to ordinance. Mike mentioned a definition in the ordinance referring to Humane Organization : any nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the rescue and protection of animals are duly registered with the Florida State Department. The Licensing section: Paragraph B Section states Humane Organizations as defined in this chapter may obtain rescue tags from the division, it goes on to say: Humane Organizations with rescue tags must allow inspections of their facility and records by the division. The Division has the right of entry upon 24 hours notice and at all reasonable times. What it does not tell us is what a Rescue Tag is. From what we understand the tags were issued in groups of 10 on a yearly basis and the organization must have applied for a rescue license. Mike asked if that would be a required license for any rescue that operates in Pasco County. Dr. Campos replied Yes, for the ones who work with Animal Services. Right now we have an agreement with the rescue organization no matter where they are, some are out of state, where they have signed and verified that they have a Vet, to supply a reference letter and their 501C documentation, also include d are the names of any representative who can pull on their behalf. We don t require them to purchase any kind of Rescue License; it only states Rescue Tags here. The Rescue Tag was intended to allow inspections of the Rescue s but it really doesn t because the Rescue Tags are not a requirement as stated right now. It also doesn t require them to sterilize their animals. Mike would rather see the rescues pay $35 per un -altered animal or make it a requirement to purchase a rescue tag. Dr. Hase was concerned about the inspection part of it. Mike stated that the signed agreement will include the inspection requirement. But the agreement is only for the rescues that are working with us. In the agreement they are allowed to take an un -altered animal, but m ust provide documentation from a vet that the spay/neuter was or will be performed. Mike will include a copy of the Rescue Agreement at the next meeting for review. Sharon Smith brought up the By Laws in regards to committee members missing three ( 3) meetings in a row. Pam from PAWS asked if the committee members can designate an alternate. Dr. Hase suggested that we change the wording and add or designated alternate for members unable to attend a meeting. The changes recommended by Marilyn for section of the Ordinance, will gives us some flexibility with this issue. The wording to be changed to three consecutive un-excused absences. Mike will determine what an un-excused absences is. Dr. Hase asked if the proposed changes can go to the County Attorney to what they suggest. Sharon Smith and Monica Pollans would li ke to see the committee be more proactive and make people more aware of what we do. Jennifer Hooks wanted to make sure that it was understood

5 how much all the committee members put into helping Animal Services. Jennifer donated heartworm prevention, toys and blankets in the last two months. Mike wanted to let everyone know that he appreciates and thanks all the committee members for all the work they do for Animal Services and the Community. NEW BUSINESS SETTING DATE / LOCATION FOR NEXT MEETING May 13, 2015, 7:15pm, PCAS Conference Room Dogpatch Lane, Land O Lakes, FL ADJOURN

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