Animal Shelter Oversight Committee Meeting

City of Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee Norman Animal Welfare Center 3428 South Jenkins Ave Monday, April 9, 2018 6:00 p.m. I. Call to Order………………………………..........................… Co-chairperson Mark Howery II. Roll Call………………...……………...................................... Co-chairperson Mark Howery III. Discussion & Approval of the January Minutes. ....................... Co-chairperson Mark Howery Action needed: Motion to approve or reject minutes Action Taken: _____________________________ IV. Monthly Statistics and Division Updates …………..............… Capt. Barbour / SM Bechtel Action needed: Acknowledge Presentation V. Old Business Updates and Follow-ups ………………….…… SM Bechtel -Internet Posting of Stray Hold Animals -Updated Procedures for Private Trapping of Wildlife Action Needed: Discussion and Acknowledge Presentation VI. Purchases from Donation Account …………………............… Capt. Barbour Action Needed: Acknowledge Presentation and Vote of Support Action Taken: _____________________________ VII. Discussion for local Veterinarian Programs and Outreach ..…. Dr. Joe Carter DVM VIII. Call for Agenda Items for Next Meeting .................................. Co-chairs R. Bean and M. Howery IX. Miscellaneous Comments…………………………................... Co-chairperson Rebecca Bean X. Adjournment……………………………………....................... Co-chairperson Mark Howery Action needed: Motion to adjourn meeting Action Taken: _________________________________________  Animal Welfare Oversight Committee February 12, 2018 The Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the multi-Purpose room on the 12th of February, 2018, at 6:00PM. The notice and the agenda of the meeting were posted in the Norman Animal Welfare Center building at 3428 S. Jenkins on the 7th of February, 2018. The meeting was also posted on the City of Norman website at www.normanok.gov. I. Call to Order Co-Chairperson Mark Howery called the meeting to order at approximately 6:02 PM. II. Roll Call BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Co-Chairperson Mark Howery Co-Chairperson Rebecca Bean Councilman Bill Hickman Jennifer Kidney, Ph.D. Kristy Wicker Sandy Moore-Furneaux ABSENT:  Joe Carter, D.V.M Ginger Noble, D.V.M OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Tyler, D.V.M Ashley Battiest, Norman Animal Welfare Captain Brent Barbour Jeanne Snider, Asst. City Attorney Mark Bechtel, Norman Animal Welfare Trey Amrein, Animal Welfare Supervisor III. Discussion and Approval of the January Minutes There were some grammatical errors corrected in the minutes. A motion to accept the minutes as amended was made by Bill Hickman. Jennifer Kidney seconded. The motion passed. IV. Monthly Statistics and Division Updates Captain Barbour briefly went over the January statistics. Owner surrenders continue to be up from last year. Protective custody numbers were up by 1250%. These animals are usually in the shelter for a much longer stay than normal stray intakes. Bill Hickman asked if Protective Custody cases are kept on the intake side. Captain Barbour said yes, and if they are friendly, you might see some up front in the office occasionally. The average length of stay statistic does include the shelter’s protective custody cases. Captain Barbour also said that the current Owner Surrender list has been resolved, and adoptions and reclaimed animals are still significantly high, as well as the monthly live release rate. Co-Chairperson Mark Howery commented that January has been the third month in a row that there have been relatively high numbers of cats reclaimed. Captain Barbour said that the last Animal Welfare Tech has been hired and has been at the shelter for a couple of weeks. There will be a focus on training all of the new additions to the staff. Mark Bechtel has taken over operations at the shelter; Captain Barbour will still be in and out of the shelter until July. Bill Hickman asked about the carport project being on hold. Captain Barbour explained that it is on hold, pending a request for a pavement project that would extend the parking lot. If approved, then the carport location would move. Captain Barbour reminded everyone that Capital Improvement Projects are not tied to a fiscal year, so that funding will not be lost. Bill Hickman asked about the fifteen dogs that were euthanized for behavioral issues and if there was an evaluation protocol in place. Captain Barbour said there’s no checklist of behavioral issues, but in some cases, several people evaluate these dogs before they are euthanized. Some of these dogs are made available to rescues if the rescues are comfortable taking them. Dr. Tyler does a write up of each euthanasia performed. Mark Howery spoke about the changing public perceptions of Norman Animal Welfare and said he thinks that there are more people who are comfortable bringing their animals here to be owner surrendered. Rebecca Bean asked if there was an advantage to keeping the adoption trailer where it was and reallocating the funds for the carport. Captain Barbour said that currently only three sides are covered and protected from weather and Capital Improvement Project funds can’t be reallocated; instead, they would go back into the general fund.  Rebecca Bean asked if anyone knew what was raised at the Rob Lake Magic Show over the weekend. Captain Barbour said he didn’t know yet. V. Old Business Updates and Follow-Ups Captain Barbour said that updating Petfinder with the current stray animals has been done on Shelter Buddy’s end, but Petfinder has been having technical issues and strays are still not showing up on the site. Rebecca Bean asked about a photo album for strays on Facebook. Captain Barbour said it would take up a lot of resources to keep it current and answering people’s questions/comments. It’s not completely off the table if Petfinder does not start showing the strays. VI. NAWC Budget Update Captain Barbour provided a list of budget requests that is not provided in the packet as it is still subject to change. The items have been submitted and are awaiting approval. Bill Hickman asked if the list was in any priority order. Captain Barbour said the Registered Vet Tech was the priority, then the camera and keycard systems for security reasons. Rebecca Bean asked how a keycard system would work with the volunteers who come regularly and help in back intake areas. Captain Barbour said it would depend on the system. There might be a check in and they would receive a keycard, or else the Center would be kept unlocked during business hours. Co-Chairperson Mark Howery asked about the outdoor run project. Captain Barbour said it would be for animals that are at the shelter for long term reasons, such as protective custody or similar situations. The animals could be taken outside but still be kept away from the public. Captain Barbour spoke about the incinerators that need to be replaced. One has been in use for 25 years, and the other is about 16 years old. They’ve both been refurbished and continue to be fixed when they break down. A typical lifespan on an incinerator is six to eight years. It costs thousands to have a technician come out  and repair them; they break down several times a year. The cost of a new one is around $100,000 and an additional $50,000 for installation. The requested increase for the food account is to help cover the costs of food for foster animals. The maintenance account request refers to the facility maintenance. We are already seeing wear and tear on the two-year-old building. There are kennels in which the floor and wall are already separating. We continue to have HVAC issues that require constant maintenance during the summer and winter. The food prep room cabinetry is becoming affected by the steam from the dishwasher and the fact that the door doesn't close properly. Co-Chair Rebecca Bean asked if there was a way to get an idea of the cost of fixing the HVAC problems so that we can begin to ask for that amount. Captain Barbour said he didn’t know what would need to be done to fix the problems or have an estimate of the cost. Bill Hickman clarified that these budget requests will go to the Chief of Police first, then the city Manager, and then finally before City Council. He explained that the items on this list might not all make it to be voted on by City Council. Rebecca Bean made a motion for the committee to write a letter of recommendation for the approval of the budget requests. Sandy Moore-Furneaux seconded. The motion passed. VII. Updated Procedure for Private Traps Currently there are two processes for wildlife. Citizens can rent a trap at no cost for seven days, dependent on the weather. If they trap something, they can bring it to the Center or officers can pick it up at their home. Then it is taken to Wildcare or it is brought to the shelter and Wildcare is called so that their volunteers can pick up the animal. Private traps are also picked up by officers and can also be brought in by citizens. The problem with this system is that animals are waiting for quite some time before being picked up during the day. Also, we have had some citizens who do not check in at the office but drop off animals in the back that remain unknown to office staff. Beyond that, there are logistical and liability issues involved with taking the private property of citizens and storing it at the shelter, sometimes keeping traps until the owners need them again in several months. At this time, there are between thirty and forty privately owned traps that are stacked for which the City is responsible for keeping, maintaining, and eventually returning back to their owners. It is an ongoing project to return these traps to their rightful owners. Captain Barbour said that after having talked with Rondi Large at Wildcare, there will be some changes made in the next month. The first change will be education-based. There will be a push to educate the public about humanely trapping and the risks versus the rewards. Those privately owned traps will also now be taken by the citizen straight to Wildcare. They have longer hours than the Center does, and the animal will be going straight to them. We will still accept traps that are owned by the City of Norman. Rebecca Bean asked why Norman Animal Welfare is renting out traps. She referenced the meeting with ASPCA members last year who were surprised that we offered the service at all. She knows that many communities are trying to get away from that service from the perspective of wildlife management, and she said there’s a large burden being placed on Wildcare. Captain Barbour said that internally there is a push to end that service. Eventually, ending this service completely would be a goal. Rebecca Bean asked if Rondi Large had any comments at this time. Rondi spoke about not wanting wildlife trapped and relocated at all as this creates vacuums and just causes animals to move back to their original location and not solve any problems. She expressed concern that citizens who don’t have the resources to have the traps picked up will just let the animal die in the trap. She said she would be interested to know the numbers of traps being brought in versus those being picked up. Officer Trey Amrein said that he thinks most weeks it’s about 50/50 traps picked up vs. brought to us. Captain Barbour said there will be language included in the educational component of this change that specifies that it is animal cruelty not to care for the trapped animal.  Officer Trey Amrein said that, in his experience over the years, citizens do call in when they see a neighbor who has trapped an animal that they’re leaving in the trap. Kristy Wicker commented that it seems as if there will need to be a big educational part of the process from both the City and from Wildcare. And it’s important for people to realize that animal cruelty charges can include wildlife. Captain Barbour said it will be a large push, and we will utilize The Transcript, social media, and press releases. The aim is to start this change by March 1st. There was a brief discussion on wildlife education and resources. Co-Chairperson Mark Howery said the USDA wildlife division offers a species by species manual that includes lethal and non-lethal deterrents. Rondi Large said that HSUS also has a wildlife section about humanely dealing with wildlife. VIII. Updated Procedure for CPL and Rabies Citations Captain Barbour said that intake numbers and reclaimed animal numbers are increasing. There is always a discussion of the punitive nature of reclaiming one's animal and success in encouraging people to contain their animals versus coming in and paying to reclaim their animal. Starting in the near future, when the shelter has a repeat offender come through the door, if they say they don’t have the money to pay to get the animal out, staff will still work with them on the fee, but if they don’t have their rabies vaccination or City pet license, the Center will be more strict. Office staff will now issue citations for lack of rabies vaccination and lack of City pet license. Proof of a rabies vaccination is required for a City pet license. For a Norman resident who receives a citation for lacking a City pet license, as long as they return within five days and show proof of a City pet license (which means they are also current on their rabies vaccine), it will only cost them their time. There will be no court fees or fines applied. If they live outside of Norman city limits, they are still required to have a rabies vaccination and will get a citation if they don’t have one. In that case, they will need to bring in proof of a rabies vaccination and there will be a small fine of $55.00.  Jeanne Snider said that they were a bit more strict on vaccinations as opposed to City licenses and that a fee is always charged. The big change internally at the Center is that Animal Welfare Techs will be trained to fill out the docket and issue citations. Sereta Wilson asked if it could be mandatory to spay or neuter dogs. There was a discussion on what other cities do that require spaying and neutering before an animal can be reclaimed. Dr. Tyler brought up the possibility of vaccinating the repeat offender animal before letting it return to its owner. Jennifer Kidney asked if the City licenses had arrived. They are in at Norman Animal Welfare and participating vet clinics. IX. Shelter Assistance Fund Update Sereta Wilson presented the update for Annie’s Rescue Fund. She gave background on the organization and the board that was created to administer the fund. Their meetings occur on the second Sunday of each month at Annie’s Ruff House. Usually requests to use funds are made through the Center veterinarian Dr. Tyler. So far, $24,000 has been raised between the two funds, and $5965 has been spent. Sereta Wilson went over the items paid for in 2017 that were recorded in the January minutes. Dr. Tyler talked about a couple of specific cases for which the money was spent to help animals at the Center. The recent funds raised by the Rob Lake show in February will go to the City donation account. Captain Barbour said this was a decision made by those who coordinated the event, including Dr. Otto. The funds raised by the show will not go to supplement general medical costs but for items above and beyond what the Center would normally cover. Jennifer Kidney commented that there would be a public accounting of the spending from this event because it will be for a “big ticket” item that must be approved by City Council.  Sereta Wilson spoke about continuing fundraising for the Norman Animal Welfare Fund and said that there is support for that in the community. Rebecca Bean said she would like to see a future agenda item of a wish list for items that the staff would like to see the money used for. One possible use of the funds would be for the purchase of an x-ray machine. Dr. Tyler commented that there was actually an x-ray room built into the new Center that is currently being used as a closet X. Call for Agenda Items for Next Meeting Bill Hickman said that a future agenda item should be a revisit of Animal Welfare ordinances. Co-Chairperson Mark Howery wanted to gauge who would be present in March for the meeting. Rebecca Bean said that Ginger Noble had decided to step down from the committee to focus on other initiatives. Sandy-Moore- Furneaux made a motion to cancel the March Meeting. Jennifer Kidney seconded. Motion Passed. Co-Chairperson Mark Howery said he encouraged everyone to attend the Animal Welfare Expo on March 24th. XI. Miscellaneous Comments Kim Fairbanks commented that heartworm positive dogs in the past have sometimes been treated through fostering. She also talked about the Animal Welfare Expo that will be held at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds on March 24th . There will be a kitten fostering workshop presented by Hannah Shaw, the “Kitten Lady.” There are already over 200 people registered for the workshop. She also mentioned that Weaver the cat raised over $1,000 for foster kits on his birthday.  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report February 2018 IN SHELTER ANIMAL COUNTS 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Beginning 59 32 91 90 53 143 52 57% Ending 59 34 93 87 39 126 33 35% ANIMAL INTAKES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Stray at Large 79 30 109 129 40 169 60 55% Owner Relinquish 36 14 50 38 32 70 20 40% Owner Intended Euth 4 1 5 1 0 1 (4) -80% Transfer In 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Other Intakes 0 1 1 0 0 0 (1) -100% TOTAL LIVE INTAKES 119 46 165 168 72 240 75 45% OTHER STATISTICS Comparisons 2017 Total 2018 Total Difference Percent Wildlife Collected (DOA) N/A 0 5 5 5 #DIV/0! Dog Collected (DOA) N/A 0 8 8 8 #DIV/0! Cat Collected (DOA) N/A 0 2 2 2 #DIV/0! Wildlife Transferred N/A 0 5 5 5 #DIV/0! Intake Horses N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Cows N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Goats N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Sheep N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Rabbits N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Pigs N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Other N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! TOTAL OTHER ITEMS 0 0 20 20 20 #DIV/0! LENGTH OF STAY (DAYS) 2017 2018 Dog N/A 10.2 Puppy N/A 8.9 Cat N/A 12.4 Kitten N/A 3.1 OWNER SURRENDER PENDING INTAKE Canine Feline Other Total Animals 6 0 0 6  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report February 2018 LIVE ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Adoption 72 24 96 66 52 118 22 23% Return To Owner 26 2 28 58 3 61 33 118% Transferred Out 8 12 20 32 27 59 39 195% Returned in Field 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Other Outcome 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! TOTAL LIVE OUTCOMES 106 38 144 156 82 238 94 65% OTHER ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Died in Care 0 2 2 1 2 3 1 50% Lost in Care 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Shelter Euth 9 2 11 13 3 16 5 45% Owner Intended Euth 4 1 5 1 0 1 (4) -80% TOTAL OTHER OUTCOMES 13 5 18 15 5 20 2 11% TOTAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Total Live Outcomes 106 38 144 156 82 238 94 65% Total Other Outcomes 13 5 18 15 5 20 2 11% TOTAL OUTCOMES 119 43 162 171 87 258 96 59% SHELTER EUTHANASIA DATA Canine Feline Other Total Percentage Medical - Sick 4 2 0 6 38% Medical - Injured 0 1 0 1 6% Behavior - Aggressive 9 0 0 9 56% Behavior - Other 0 0 0 0 0% TOTAL EUTHANASIA 13 3 0 16 MONTHLY LIVE RELEASE RATE 2017 2018 91.7% 92.6% Live Outcomes / (Total Outcomes - Owner Int Euth)  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report March 2018 IN SHELTER ANIMAL COUNTS 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Beginning 59 33 92 87 39 126 34 37% Ending 73 25 98 71 52 123 25 26% ANIMAL INTAKES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Stray at Large 86 21 107 119 43 162 55 51% Owner Relinquish 57 17 74 51 38 89 15 20% Owner Intended Euth 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 200% Transfer In 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Other Intakes 1 6 7 0 0 0 (7) -100% TOTAL LIVE INTAKES 144 45 189 173 81 254 65 34% OTHER STATISTICS Comparisons 2017 Total 2018 Total Difference Percent Wildlife Collected (DOA) N/A 0 8 8 8 #DIV/0! Dog Collected (DOA) N/A 0 5 5 5 #DIV/0! Cat Collected (DOA) N/A 0 6 6 6 #DIV/0! Wildlife Transferred N/A 0 9 9 9 #DIV/0! Intake Horses N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Cows N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Goats N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Sheep N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Rabbits N/A 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Pigs N/A 0 1 1 1 #DIV/0! Intake Other N/A 0 1 1 1 #DIV/0! TOTAL OTHER ITEMS 0 0 30 30 30 #DIV/0! LENGTH OF STAY (DAYS) 2017 2018 Dog N/A 12.1 Puppy N/A 9.1 Cat N/A 12.9 Kitten N/A 7.3 OWNER SURRENDER PENDING INTAKE Canine Feline Other Total Animals 6 0 0 6  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report March 2018 LIVE ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Adoption 65 29 94 119 47 166 72 77% Return To Owner 37 4 41 43 5 48 7 17% Transferred Out 24 19 43 9 10 19 (24) -56% Returned in Field 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Other Outcome 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! TOTAL LIVE OUTCOMES 126 52 178 171 62 233 55 31% OTHER ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Died in Care 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Lost in Care 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Shelter Euth 4 0 4 12 6 18 14 350% Owner Intended Euth 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 200% TOTAL OTHER OUTCOMES 4 1 5 15 6 21 16 320% TOTAL OUTCOMES 2017 2018 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Total Live Outcomes 126 52 178 171 62 233 55 31% Total Other Outcomes 4 1 5 15 6 21 16 320% TOTAL OUTCOMES 130 53 183 186 68 254 71 39% SHELTER EUTHANASIA DATA Canine Feline Other Total Percentage Medical - Sick 5 5 0 10 48% Medical - Injured 2 0 0 2 10% Behavior - Aggressive 4 1 0 5 24% Behavior - Other 4 0 0 4 19% TOTAL EUTHANASIA 15 6 0 21 MONTHLY LIVE RELEASE RATE 2017 2018 97.8% 92.8% Live Outcomes / (Total Outcomes - Owner Int Euth)  Monthly Service By Assignment January 2018 to March 2018 Animal Welfare Volunteers Recent Jan 2018 Feb 2018 Mar 2018 Total Place Assignment Hours Hours Hours Hours Norman Animal Welfare Center Groomer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Bather / Groomer 0:00 1:45 0:00 1:45 NAWC-Beautification Volunteer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Cat Socializer 101:36 115:22 106:15 323:13 NAWC-Community Outreach Volunteer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Dog Handler 126:43 133:24 236:47 496:54 NAWC-Foster Program 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Laundry 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Lobby Greeter 58:12 62:23 30:29 151:04 NAWC-Orientation 31:00 20:00 17:00 68:00 NAWC-Photographer 0:00 0:00 2:38 2:38 Other Volunteer Services 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 Veterinarian Assistant Tech 44:29 18:39 23:40 86:48 To t a l 362:00 351:33 416:49 1,130:22 Grand total 362:00 351:33 416:49 1,130:22 Printed 04-01-2018 1:50 pm Page 1  City of Norman Animal Welfare Updates and Information February & March 2018 Employee Updates: • Division remains at full staffing levels. We continue with the significant process of employee development and training. While this transitional period has created a great opportunity for continued growth and new ideas that truly paint an amazing picture for the future of our team, facility, and community involvement, things will be a bit slow as we continue to cover foundational aspects of our culture and function. • AWO Baskeyfield was recognized for 40+ years of service to our department and community. Activities and Events: • $10 Adoption Special (Feb 27 to March 3) – 20 dogs and 9 cats adopted in four days! • Free Adoption Special (March 10 &12) – 25 dogs and 14 cats adopted in two days! • Animal Welfare Expo (March 24) - 12 dog adoptions and 94 microchips implanted • Dogs Helping Dogs III – April 21st at the Norman Dog Park • Crimson Wishes Adoption Event - April 27th at the Lloyd Noble Center Other Items: • Preliminary assessment and review of ordinances is ongoing. This is a process that will take some time to complete. Work will continue to produce proposals that will be provided to the committee for review followed by public meetings set specifically for public discussion and input before any suggested changes being considered for adoption. • Two cats that tested positive for feline leukemia were transferred to Austin Pets Alive for participation in a part of a long-term study on feline leukemia. Capital Improvement Items • Shade Screens: New concerns in place about ice. Looking at options for future coverings. • Carport for Trailer: On hold pending other CIP requests. • Kennel Repairs: Remaining 405 doorway materials now in house. Working on bids for floors. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 3, 2018