Animal Welfare Committee

Approved 6/25/15 M&C Nagro Gardiner Ryan Fletcher Minutes of the Animal Welfare Committee Davis Hall, City of College Park May 28, 2015 Term Exp. Members Present Absent 2/28/2018 Taimi Anderson 4/30/2017 Suzie Bellamy 2/28/2017 Patti Brothers N/A Vivian Cooper 6/30/2017 Betty Gailes 2/28/2017 Harriet McNamee 3/31/2015 Christine Nagle 3/31/2016 Dave Turley 3/31/2018 Christiane Williams 2/28/2017 Cindy Vernasco Co-Chair McNamee called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. I. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion: To approve the April 23, 2015 Animal Welfare Committee meeting minutes. Moved: Ms. Bellamy Second: Co-Chair Nagle Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 II. ACO Update The AWC account balance is $10,952, a total of $3,537 has been spent on vet services, and the cost recovery line item is up to $3,090. III. Shelter/Adoption Report Adoption – 1 cat Foster – 1 kitten; 1 dog Shelter – 6 kittens IV. City Council Review of Boards and Commissions—and Next Step Co-Chairs McNamee and Nagle met with the City Council and suggested that the following two items be added to the charge: 1 • Working with the ACO to provide care for the animals in the shelter and at Petco • Working with the ACO to promote and facilitate adoptions The City Council asked how they could help to improve the AWC effectiveness, and the following suggestions were made: • More training for AWC members • Best practices for shelters • Training and finding ways to promote the adoption program • Being included in the Feasibility Workshop • A better platform for conveying the message about the AWC, including adoptions and recruitment (various City Council members said they would do email blasts) The City Council also discussed coverage when the ACO is away as well as providing funding in the 2016 budget for more shelter coverage. Co-Chair McNamee read from the April 24, 2014 minutes as follows: “He [Bob Ryan] informed AWC members that the Code Enforcement Officer, Mr. Dildine, can also assist with animals in the shelter, when needed, in addition to the volunteers.” Following the meeting with the City Council, Co-Chair McNamee received an email from Mr. Ryan, Department of Public Services Director, suggesting that these issues be discussed at the next AWC meeting and that the City Clerk would like to receive suggestions for changes to the charge mission by the end of the summer. During the AWC meeting, members agreed to not modify the following language in the original charge: • Address issues related to domestic and wild animals • Work with the ACO to plan activities to promote animal welfare • Educate the community about responsible pet ownership, wildlife management, and pest control • Advise Mayor and Council on animal welfare issues • Coordinate with animal welfare and rescue organizations AWC members in attendance agreed to leave them as is. Motion: To add the two bullets to the AWC mission to cover what the AWC does regarding helping with adoptions and also with taking care of the animals at the shelter and Petco: Moved: Co-Chair Nagle Second: Ms. Bellamy 2  Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 V. Outreach Brochures/Flyers Ms. Gailes emailed the updated brochures to AWC members for review; however, not all members received them. Co-Chair McNamee will forward the file to those who did not receive it or were unable to open the attachment.” AWC members in attendance agreed that in the brochure, “Volunteers Needed” should be expounded upon; e.g., to help care for cats, foster dogs, etc.” The discussion will take place at the June AWC meeting. Ms. Brothers wrote directions for Petco and emailed them to Ms. Gailes. Co-Chair McNamee suggested adding “then rinsing it with plain water and then drying it” to “cleaning the walls and floor with a Clorox wipe.” She also suggested adding “checking for adoption applications and either calling or emailing you.” Ms. Brothers added “litter no deeper than 1 inch VI. Patches at Petco Ms. Brothers stated that Patches (cat) will be adopted around June 9 when the prospective adopter returns from vacation; the adoption fee will be waived. It was suggested to foster both Patches and Max since they have been at Petco since March 2015. More discussion at the June AWC meeting. VII. Greenbelt Pet Expo (June 6) The AWC has decided not to participate this year. VIII. Adopted Dog Workshop An informational workshop will be conducted regarding care for adopted dogs. Co-Chair McNamee will contact the speaker to get more information on the workshop. Residents will be informed of the Adopted Dog Workshop by advertising on the Animal Control website, Animal Control Facebook page, and Neighborhood Watch. IX. Other Business • Co-Chair Nagle suggested that ACO Cooper notify the AWC when she is scheduled to be out of town to ensure they know who will be at the shelter in the interim. The discussion became quite heated as ACO Cooper responded that the request was a moot point because “the Committee does not run policy” and that she takes care of the animals prior to her departure. Co-Chair McNamee and Bellamy were in accord with Co-Chair Nagle’s request and agreed that “a little communication goes a long way to make a better working condition.” ACO Cooper continued to state that she does not report to the Committee. • Co-Chair Nagle suggested dog vests for visibility when walking dogs from the shelter; e.g., “I’m up for adoption.” ACO Cooper only has a vest (harness) for larger dogs; Nagle will check into purchasing or possibly having the vests made. 3 X. Adjournment The AWC meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The next AWC meeting is scheduled for June 25 at 7:00 p.m. in Davis Hall. Minutes prepared by Debra Pinkett 4