Animal Shelter Oversight Committee Meeting

City of Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee Norman City Hall 201 West Gray Street Monday, August 16, 2021 6:00 p.m. It is the policy of the City of Norman that no person or groups of persons shall on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, place of birth, age, familial status, disability, retaliation, or genetic information, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in employment activities or in all programs, services, or activities administered by the City, its recipients, subrecipients, and contractors. In the event of any comments, complaints, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aides and services regarding accessibility or inclusion, please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366- 5424, Relay Service: 711. To better serve you, five (5) business days’ advance notice is preferred. I. Call to Order and Roll Call……………………………..............… Mark Howery / Rebecca Bean II. Discussion & Approval of the June Meeting Minutes................... Mark Howery / Rebecca Bean Action needed: Motion to approve or reject minutes Action Taken: _____________________________ III. Monthly Statistics, Previous Business Updates .....................................................… Mark Bechtel - Current Status of Shelter Capacity - Current Status of Shelter Maintenance Needs - Recent Personnel Actions - Current Process for Spay & Neuter of Shelter Animals - Current Facebook Posting Process - Current Status of Spay/Neuter Program with Best Friends of Pets Action needed: Acknowledge Presentations IV. Follow-up Discussion of Memorial for Henry Baskeyfield …….....Kim Fairbanks/Mark Howery Action Needed: Discussion V. Update on On-going Investigation of Animals of Rock Creek…..….Trey Amrein / Mark Bechtel Action Needed: Acknowledge Presentation VI. Update on Large Animal Containment Training and Supplies……….…………Trey Amrein Action Needed: Acknowledge Presentation VII. Future Events and Call for Agenda Items for Next Meeting........... Mark Howery / Rebecca Bean VIII. Miscellaneous Comments................................................................ Mark Howery / Rebecca Bean IX. Adjournment…………………………………….............................Mark Howery / Rebecca Bean Action needed: Motion to adjourn meeting Action Taken: ________________________________  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report June 2021 IN SHELTER ANIMAL COUNTS 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Beginning 21 42 63 53 106 159 96 152% Ending 27 39 66 79 147 226 160 242% ANIMAL INTAKES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Stray at Large 55 57 112 131 135 266 154 138% Owner Relinquish 23 34 57 12 29 41 (16) -28% Owner Intended Euth 1 1 2 0 0 0 (2) -100% Transfer In 0 14 14 0 25 25 11 79% Other Intakes* 8 2 10 7 0 7 (3) -30% Returned Animal 6 1 7 6 5 11 4 57% TOTAL LIVE INTAKES 93 109 202 156 194 350 148 73% *Confiscate, Protective Custody, Born in Shelter, and all other infrequent entries OTHER STATISTICS Comparisons 2020 Total 2021 Total Difference Percent Wildlife Collected (DOA) 3 3 0 0 (3) -100% Dog Collected (DOA) 0 0 1 1 1 #DIV/0! Cat Collected (DOA) 4 4 0 0 (4) -100% Wildlife Transferred 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Horses 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Cows 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Goats 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Sheep 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Rabbits 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Pigs 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Other 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! TOTAL OTHER ITEMS 7 7 1 1 (6) -86% LENGTH OF STAY (DAYS) 2020 2021 Dog 6.4 11 Puppy 5.5 8.3 Cat 8.5 17.7 Kitten 6.2 10.2 OWNER SURRENDER PENDING INTAKE Canine Feline Other Total Animals 99 37 0 136  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report June 2021 LIVE ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Adoption 42 78 120 54 96 150 30 25% Return To Owner 29 5 34 46 1 47 13 38% Transferred Out 11 22 33 26 41 67 34 103% Returned in Field 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 #DIV/0! Other Outcome 1 0 1 0 0 0 (1) -100% TOTAL LIVE OUTCOMES 83 105 188 126 141 267 79 42% OTHER ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Died in Care 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 #DIV/0! Lost in Care 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 #DIV/0! Shelter Euth 3 6 9 4 7 11 2 22% Owner Intended Euth 1 1 2 0 0 0 (2) -100% TOTAL OTHER OUTCOMES 4 7 11 4 12 16 5 45% TOTAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Total Live Outcomes 83 105 188 126 141 267 79 42% Total Other Outcomes 4 7 11 4 12 16 5 45% TOTAL OUTCOMES 87 112 199 130 153 283 84 42% SHELTER EUTHANASIA DATA Canine Feline Other Total Percentage Medical - Sick 0 6 0 6 55% Medical - Injured 0 1 0 1 9% Behavior - Aggressive 4 0 0 4 36% Behavior - Other 0 0 0 0 0% TOTAL EUTHANASIA 4 7 0 11 MONTHLY LIVE RELEASE RATE 2020 2021 95.4% 94.3% Live Outcomes / (Total Outcomes - Owner Int Euth)  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report July 2021 IN SHELTER ANIMAL COUNTS 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Beginning 27 39 66 79 147 226 160 242% Ending 42 55 97 109 111 220 123 127% ANIMAL INTAKES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Stray at Large 100 75 175 163 83 246 71 41% Owner Relinquish 9 16 25 4 10 14 (11) -44% Owner Intended Euth 3 1 4 4 1 5 1 25% Transfer In 0 34 34 0 9 9 (25) -74% Other Intakes* 13 1 14 14 19 33 19 136% Returned Animal 5 9 14 11 8 19 5 36% TOTAL LIVE INTAKES 130 136 266 196 130 326 60 23% *Confiscate, Protective Custody, Born in Shelter, and all other infrequent entries OTHER STATISTICS Comparisons 2020 Total 2021 Total Difference Percent Wildlife Collected (DOA) 3 3 1 1 (2) -67% Dog Collected (DOA) 2 2 0 0 (2) -100% Cat Collected (DOA) 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Wildlife Transferred 2 2 0 0 (2) -100% Intake Horses 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Cows 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Goats 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Sheep 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Rabbits 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Pigs 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Intake Other 0 0 2 2 2 #DIV/0! TOTAL OTHER ITEMS 7 7 3 3 (4) -57% LENGTH OF STAY (DAYS) 2020 2021 Dog 7.5 15.2 Puppy 10.8 10.3 Cat 15.3 11.9 Kitten 5.2 11.7 OWNER SURRENDER PENDING INTAKE Canine Feline Other Total Animals 129 109 0 238  Norman Animal Welfare Monthly Statistical Report July 2021 LIVE ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Adoption 43 88 131 83 103 186 55 42% Return To Owner 56 4 60 46 1 47 (13) -22% Transferred Out 10 23 33 22 41 63 30 91% Returned to Field 0 0 0 1 7 8 8 #DIV/0! Other Outcome 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! TOTAL LIVE OUTCOMES 109 115 224 152 152 304 80 36% OTHER ANIMAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Died in Care 0 0 0 0 7 7 7 #DIV/0! Lost in Care 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Shelter Euth 3 5 8 10 6 16 8 100% Owner Intended Euth 3 1 4 4 1 5 1 25% TOTAL OTHER OUTCOMES 6 6 12 14 14 28 16 133% TOTAL OUTCOMES 2020 2021 Comparisons Canine Feline Total Canine Feline Total Difference Percent Total Live Outcomes 109 115 224 152 152 304 80 36% Total Other Outcomes 6 6 12 14 14 28 16 133% TOTAL OUTCOMES 115 121 236 166 166 332 96 41% SHELTER EUTHANASIA DATA Canine Feline Other Total Percentage Medical - Sick 10 6 0 16 76% Medical - Injured 0 1 0 1 5% Behavior - Aggressive 4 0 0 4 19% Behavior - Other 0 0 0 0 0% TOTAL EUTHANASIA 14 7 0 21 MONTHLY LIVE RELEASE RATE 2020 2021 96.6% 93.0% Live Outcomes / (Total Outcomes - Owner Int Euth)  Monthly Service By Assignment January 2021 to July 2021 Norman Animal Welfare Volunteers (ALL) Jan 2021 Feb 2021 Mar 2021 Apr 2021 May 2021 Jun 2021 Jul 2021 Total Place Assignment Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours Norman Animal Welfare Center Community Services-NAWC 264:00 159:05 112:00 118:25 230:30 218:00 141:45 1,243:45 NAWC-Bather / Groomer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Beautification Volunteer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Cat Socializer 27:30 23:57 41:50 17:50 27:19 41:19 38:27 218:12 NAWC-Community Outreach Volunteer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 1:33 0:00 0:00 1:33 NAWC-Dog Handler 18:54 29:49 54:28 45:36 51:29 47:45 75:32 323:33 NAWC-Foster Program 0:00 1:00 2:00 53:00 48:22 62:00 57:00 223:22 NAWC-Kennel Assistant 0:00 0:00 4:35 0:00 0:00 101:43 0:00 106:18 NAWC-Laundry 2:11 3:30 1:06 2:46 4:43 9:13 5:18 28:47 NAWC-Lobby Greeter 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 NAWC-Orientation 0:00 14:00 9:00 14:00 5:00 7:00 6:00 55:00 NAWC-Photographer 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 Other Volunteer Services 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 Veterinarian Assistant Tech 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 To t a l 312:35 231:21 224:59 251:37 368:56 487:00 324:02 2,200:30 Grand total 312:35 231:21 224:59 251:37 368:56 487:00 324:02 2,200:30 Printed 08-10-2021 11:22 am Page 1  Animal Welfare Oversight Committee June 21, 2021 The Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Council Chambers room at the Norman City Municipal Building on the 21st day of June, 2021 at 6:00PM. The notice and agenda of the meeting were posted at the City of Norman Municipal Building on 201 West Grey Street on the 18th of June, 2021. The meeting was also posted on the City of Norman website at www.normanok.gov. I. Call to Order and Roll Call Co‐chairperson Mark Howery called the meeting to order at approximately 6:08PM. Members Present: Co‐Chairperson Mark Howery Co‐Chairperson Rebecca Bean Kim Fairbanks Rod Hall, D.V.M. Sandy Moore‐Furneaux Kristy Wicker Others Present: Major Jamie Shattuck Mark Bechtel, Norman Animal Welfare Manager Trey Amrein, Norman Animal Welfare Supervisor Jeanne Snider, Assistant City Attorney Councilmember Michael Nash II. Discussion & Approval of the April Meeting Minutes Kristy Wicker made a motion to approve the April Minutes. Sandy Moore Furneaux seconded. The motion passed. III. Announcement and Update on the Volunteer of the Year Award The two recipients for the volunteer of the year award, Dr. Jennifer Devine Fritzler and Jessica Beam will be presented with their award on the July 13th city council meeting depending on availability. IV. Monthly Statistics, Division Updates Mark Bechtel went over the shelter statistics for April and May. He explained that this year has been very busy and more comparable to 2019’s numbers than 2020’s. Services like spay/neuter had been greatly reduced at clinics the previous year and Mark said the shelter was seeing the results of that this year. Nine dogs were euthanized in May; they were from a group of 15 dogs that had come in severely under‐socialized and were euthanized for aggression. There was a question about the shelter’s owner‐intended euthanasia policy. Mark Bechtel is the one who makes those decisions, and he uses the same criteria for euthanasia at the shelter to determine whether the owners can bring those animals in or not. There was a question of whether or not employees were authorized for public events. Mark hasn’t had that conversation yet but does anticipate doing events going forward. The shelter will be continuing appointments but will keep allowing walk‐ins. There was a question of whether extra volunteers or supplies were needed. Mark said that volunteer hours have been down from what the shelter saw in 2019. Kitten supplies are difficult to get right now. Royal Canin baby cat canned food and dry food are out at stores and that is the brand the shelter uses for its smallest kittens. Pellet newspaper litter is also needed at the shelter for the younger kittens. The shelter has been very full and has 120 animals currently in the shelter and 107 people on the owner‐surrender list. Mark Bechtel gave an update on staffing at the shelter. Currently the shelter is hiring a veterinarian and a registered vet tech. Right now the shelter is working with OK Humane for spay/neuter surgeries. On Tuesdays OK Humane sends a vet and an RVT to the shelter for surgeries; on Thursdays the shelter transports those awaiting surgery to OK Humane. Their program director is the shelter’s vet of record currently. Animal Welfare Officers generally are the ones who transport those animals on Thursdays. They take them up at 9AM and pick them back up at 3PM. There is no overtime due to the need to transport the animals for surgery. There was a discussion about the ongoing need for a veterinarian. Dr. Toomoth resigned May 21st. They have received one application as of June 21st. Mark Bechtel  had reached out to the OKC vet med program, but they are unable to send any students to assist. V. Follow‐Up Discussion of Memorial for Henry Baskeyfield A bench will be placed by the Parks and Recreation Department in front of the shelter within the next few months. The Streets Division will lay the concrete pad for the bench. A bench has been donated. VI. Update on ongoing investigation of Animals of Rock Creek Jeanne Snider spoke briefly about the ongoing investigation of the Animals of Rock Creek property. Appropriations had been approved and the defendant will be paying back the accrued cost of the care for the animals to the city. The seizure of the animals began after animal welfare officers saw draft horses on the property that were severely emaciated and eating bark off of the trees. Citations had originally been given in November for having exotic animals in the city limits. On April 30th the officers issued their warrant. The process took three continuous days and more than 300 animals were confiscated. The draft horses that could be seen from the road were what gave an officer probable cause for a search warrant. Animal Welfare Officers previously couldn’t go onto the property without consent or a search warrant. The property was staffed with Norman PD 24/7 from the moment they executed the warrant until all the animals were removed. The owners relinquished the animals after seven days. There are felony cruelty charges being filed for 356 different animals with the District Attorney. Kristy Wicker asked how we can use this as a learning opportunity to strengthen our ordinances. Jeanne Snider said some of the time that this took was due process. Animal Welfare Officers are working closely with the USDA, they are investigating. The defendant will never have a license to own exotic animals going forward. The Dept. of Agriculture and the USDA were on the property as well. VII. Discussion of the Recent Black Bear Incident Mark Howery started off the discussion by saying that black bears are mostly in the eastern part of the state. Bears get into towns a lot in Eastern Oklahoma. Young adult males are the dispersers, and in late summer they can show up in strange places. Officer Supervisor Amrein detailed the events of that night. At 9:15 PM a bear was seen running down Pickard Avenue and the non‐emergency dispatch was notified. Officer Amrein notified the game warden at that time. The plan was to contain and not chase the bear until wildlife department arrived. The bear was above ground in a tree about 15 feet off the ground. There was a biologist from Noble and one from Sand Springs on the scene. Officer Amrein was the one who tranquilized the bear, the first and second darts hit but fell out. These were not barbed darts. At this point, the bear had climbed further up the tree and was about 40‐50 feet high in the tree. The last shot was made from a nearby roof, 15 yards away from the bear with a barbed dart, which struck the bear, and he subsequently fell out of the tree. Officers at the scene had tried to get a net under the tree to catch him, but were unsuccessful. After a minute, the bear started to get up. There was no more tranquilizer left. The crowd of people observing what was happening would not leave. There was only a four‐foot fence between the bear and bystanders and there was no way to contain it at that time. The bear was then shot by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation staff. This bear was estimated to be around 200 pounds. Jeff Ford is a senior bear biologist and is coming in July to do a training with the department on responding to bear calls. The Department of Wildlife Conservation is providing bear trailers with traps and needed materials to safely remove bears when they get into city areas. One of these will be sited within minutes of Norman. The Norman Police department provided crowd control during the incident. There was a discussion on what police can do to make people leave the area for their own safety as well as any bear’s. This was a novel event for everyone, and police had a difficult time because some of these people were on their own property. The bear sighting and subsequent incident was posted on Facebook on the Cleveland County scanner FB page. The precise address where the bear was located was also posted, increasing the size of the crowd, and the homeowners were on social media and would not go inside while Department of Wildlife Conservation and Animal Control officers were trying to safely remove the animal. Joe Carter spoke about black bears being in central Oklahoma for decades. There was recently a situation in the news about a mountain lion in the middle of San Francisco that was safely removed and relocated, and in Kansas City a black bear was tranquilized and safely removed. He and the community were very disappointed in the outcome for this bear. He said there are a lot of veterinarians and people of expertise in the community who could have responded. He would like to see the department work with local experts when working up the protocols for this type of situation. He was encouraged by the plans going forward. William Anthony, a Bear Smart volunteer, said he thought it sounded like Norman did everything they could, and the planning going forward is promising.