Animal Services Advisory Board

Wichita Animal Services Advisory Board January 16, 2019 Meeting Minutes Board Members attending Teresa Burks, Vanessa Christophersen, Chris Hagman, Ray Hall, Judy Hill , Stephanie Fisk McCurdy, Ellen Querner Order of Business Meeting called to order by Chair, Stephanie McCurdy. Minutes from September 16, 2018 approved, 6-0 (Ray Hall was absent that night) Minutes from October 17, 2018 approved, 7-0 (amended to clarify that 1st rabies vaccine is a 1 year vaccine) Minutes from November 28, 2018 approved, 7-0 Minutes from December 17, 2018 approved 7-0 Staff reports 2018 shelter stats presented by Lt Sigman Reclaims-1994 (23%) Transfers-5825 (67%) Euthanasia-1456 (17%) Bites-590 Bites by Pits-211 Attacks-427 Pit Attacks-265 Deemed Potentially Dangerous-170 Deemed Dangerous-117 Pits Deemed Potentially Dangerous-86 Pits Deemed Dangerous -87 District with highest number of bites-1st District with highest number of bites by pit- 1st District with highest number of attacks-3rd District with highest number of attacks by pit- 3rd District with highest number of Deemed Potentially Dangerous-3rd District with highest number of pits Deemed Potentially Dangerous-3rd District with highest number of Deemed Dangerous-1st District with highest number of pits Deemed Dangerous – 1st Ellen Querner would like to see trend data over last 5 years. Lt Sigman will gather that. Judy Hill asked “if district 1 has most dog bites, what are they doing to address issue?” Public comments: What is criteria to euthanize due to age? Kittens which are too young to survive Do numbers distinguish where bite or attack occurs? No, that would require looking at each report There are resources available for those who need assistance with fence repair to contain a dog Committee Reports- Spay & Neuter, presented by Ellen Querner-Summary of activity to date: • Created and distributed a flyer summarizing city laws on pit bulls • Distributed information on advisory board activity • Was unable to achieve consensus on cat licensing and mandatory spay and neuter law • Targeted a mobile home park with high number of feral cats, offering spay/ neuter at discount • Recommended a program “Feline Fix by 5”, tried to gain buy-in from veterinary community, without, much luck • High rate of “no shows” for those who schedule appointment to spay or neuter feral cats, due to difficulty in trapping the cats. Rescue Reports-2018 PALS-78 animals adopted, 47 in care currently Beauties and Beasts- 679 animals adopted out, 43 transferred to other rescues WAAL-659 adopted KHS -11,204 adopted. 94% Live Release Rate. Hiring a 2nd rescue coordinator has helped to increase these numbers. Friends of Felines- 1017 cats (TNR) New Business Discussion on cat licensing and mandatory spay/ neuter. Should that be pursued in conjunction with TNR? Cats considered by many to be throw away pets and often don’t receive vet care (Ellen) Most vet and animal associations do not advocate for mandatory spay-neuter (Teresa) Can board get copy of data that Spay-Neuter committee looked at? (Vanessa) Ellen will email to Robin who will distribute. Many communities do require cats to be licensed (Teresa) When KHS offered free spay-neuter last year, 30% no show rate (Mark Eby, KHS) Public: For many areas, services must be taken to the citizen rather than waiting for them to come to the service Mandatory spay/neuter laws increase the euthanasia rate The city has low rate of compliance with current laws on pit bulls There’s a need for public education Citizen has personally paid for the spay-neuter of 40 cats that she doesn’t own Previous efforts to pass a “Feed It Fix It” education effort was not successful (Teresa Burks) Action- board vote 7-0 to table this topic Election of new board officers Teresa Burks nominated, but declined due to work load Judy Hill nominated but declined Board vote 7-0 to allow Stephanie Fisk McCurdy to continue to serve in interim, Vanessa Christophersen as vice chair and Chris Hagman as secretary Issue and Updates New vet used by WAS is working well and zero complaints (Lt Sigman) Public Comments • With the new vet, is rate of kennel cough diagnosis the same? Yes, per Lt Sigman • 2 commercial breeders have been closed; now working with Sumner County to enact a ban on breeders there • There will be a media blitz to encourage owners to license their dogs in accordance with the law. Wichita has low compliance with this. Per George Theoharis, city will offer an amnesty program soon. More info to come. • Efforts by WAS to work with local rescues in extending shelter time for dogs at risk of euthanasia is appreciated. Next board meeting: April 17, 2019 4pm at KHS