Receive an update from City staff on the City’s Animal Services programs and hold discussion.
Item 01: Animal Services Programs
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JHughson
CoSM Members
Please be ready to use Inter-Local Agreement for ILA.
LOR - I don't know what that means.
Slide with "Objective 1 Ambitious Spay/Neuter Efforts " at the top is hard to read full screen. Not likely to be legible on screen share. Same for all "Objective..." slides.
Objective 7 has two "a." and no "b."
Shouldn't the proposed ordinance be in the packet since it's out to the public and they are likely to comment on it?
LOR - I don't know what that means.
Slide with "Objective 1 Ambitious Spay/Neuter Efforts " at the top is hard to read full screen. Not likely to be legible on screen share. Same for all "Objective..." slides.
Objective 7 has two "a." and no "b."
Shouldn't the proposed ordinance be in the packet since it's out to the public and they are likely to comment on it?
MBaker
Council Member
How would a "free roaming" policy impact our ability to be a designated as a "Bird City"? Also, does this apply to free roaming dogs? Are free roaming animals required to be spay/neutered and would staff still check for that even if the animal is healthy?
Will we be able to see the price difference for the insurance to allow volunteers to work with higher risk animals?
Do we have staff shortages in this department?
Given that we've had an active group of residents contacting us about these issues, have we reached out to them to offer comment?
Will we be able to see the price difference for the insurance to allow volunteers to work with higher risk animals?
Do we have staff shortages in this department?
Given that we've had an active group of residents contacting us about these issues, have we reached out to them to offer comment?
Response provided by DerryAnn Krupinsky, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Enhancement:
Mayor Hughson:
Please be ready to use Inter-Local Agreement for ILA.
LOR - I don't know what that means.
Slide with "Objective 1 Ambitious Spay/Neuter Efforts " at the top is hard to read full screen. Not likely to be legible on screen share. Same for all "Objective..." slides.
Objective 7 has two "a." and no "b."
The presentation has been updated with formatting corrections suggested by the Mayor.
Councilmember Baker:
How would a "free roaming" policy impact our ability to be a designated as a "Bird City"? Also, does this apply to free roaming dogs? Are free roaming animals required to be spay/neutered and would staff still check for that even if the animal is healthy?
Staff members involved in seeking the Bird City designation do not believe free-roaming cats will negatively impact their application for designation (planned to be submitted in the next cycle). A required application component is to promote the American Bird Conservancy’s Cats Indoors program through education/outreach to residents. We believe there can be a cohesive educational message used to support both the TNR and Cats Indoors programs.
Dogs are not allowed to be free roaming in the old or new versions of the ordinance and are subject to impoundment regardless of health status. Dogs found loose are scanned for a microchip and their sterilization status is subsequently determined (whether an owner is located or the dog is brought to the shelter).
Identification of community cats must be strategic so we can target areas based on highest concentration of unowned/unsterilized cats. We will educate the community and work with the neighborhoods to determine which cats are community cats. The microchip requirement goes hand in hand with TNR. We will first scan a cat for a microchip. If it has an owner, we will work to reunite the cat with its owner and to ensure sterilization. If no owner, we can bring the cat to the shelter for surgery, ear tip, and return it (after appropriate recovery) to its found location. A cat that already has an ear tip AND appears healthy will not need to be trapped or picked up by our animal protection officers.
Will we be able to see the price difference for the insurance to allow volunteers to work with higher risk animals?
Volunteers sign waivers to release the city from liability so I don’t believe our insurance rates are affected by whether or not volunteers work with higher risk animals. However, if by higher risk animals you are referring to those that have a bite history or show a propensity to bite, shelter leadership can and do designate such dogs as staff-only so that volunteers are not placed in dangerous situations. When we had a Behaviorist on contract to help assess those dogs and determine if rehabilitation was possible, the contract stipulated a minimum insurance policy requirement the Behaviorist was required to have.
Do we have staff shortages in this department?
Animal Services has struggled with staff shortages this year. We currently have five vacancies and are filling in with three temporary employees to help with basic functions.
Given that we've had an active group of residents contacting us about these issues, have we reached out to them to offer comment?
Yes, we have solicited feedback via Facebook and collected comments via an online survey. Responses will be compiled after September 22nd and shared at the next meeting of the Council Committee on Animal Services on September 29th.
Mayor Hughson:
Please be ready to use Inter-Local Agreement for ILA.
LOR - I don't know what that means.
Slide with "Objective 1 Ambitious Spay/Neuter Efforts " at the top is hard to read full screen. Not likely to be legible on screen share. Same for all "Objective..." slides.
Objective 7 has two "a." and no "b."
The presentation has been updated with formatting corrections suggested by the Mayor.
Councilmember Baker:
How would a "free roaming" policy impact our ability to be a designated as a "Bird City"? Also, does this apply to free roaming dogs? Are free roaming animals required to be spay/neutered and would staff still check for that even if the animal is healthy?
Staff members involved in seeking the Bird City designation do not believe free-roaming cats will negatively impact their application for designation (planned to be submitted in the next cycle). A required application component is to promote the American Bird Conservancy’s Cats Indoors program through education/outreach to residents. We believe there can be a cohesive educational message used to support both the TNR and Cats Indoors programs.
Dogs are not allowed to be free roaming in the old or new versions of the ordinance and are subject to impoundment regardless of health status. Dogs found loose are scanned for a microchip and their sterilization status is subsequently determined (whether an owner is located or the dog is brought to the shelter).
Identification of community cats must be strategic so we can target areas based on highest concentration of unowned/unsterilized cats. We will educate the community and work with the neighborhoods to determine which cats are community cats. The microchip requirement goes hand in hand with TNR. We will first scan a cat for a microchip. If it has an owner, we will work to reunite the cat with its owner and to ensure sterilization. If no owner, we can bring the cat to the shelter for surgery, ear tip, and return it (after appropriate recovery) to its found location. A cat that already has an ear tip AND appears healthy will not need to be trapped or picked up by our animal protection officers.
Will we be able to see the price difference for the insurance to allow volunteers to work with higher risk animals?
Volunteers sign waivers to release the city from liability so I don’t believe our insurance rates are affected by whether or not volunteers work with higher risk animals. However, if by higher risk animals you are referring to those that have a bite history or show a propensity to bite, shelter leadership can and do designate such dogs as staff-only so that volunteers are not placed in dangerous situations. When we had a Behaviorist on contract to help assess those dogs and determine if rehabilitation was possible, the contract stipulated a minimum insurance policy requirement the Behaviorist was required to have.
Do we have staff shortages in this department?
Animal Services has struggled with staff shortages this year. We currently have five vacancies and are filling in with three temporary employees to help with basic functions.
Given that we've had an active group of residents contacting us about these issues, have we reached out to them to offer comment?
Yes, we have solicited feedback via Facebook and collected comments via an online survey. Responses will be compiled after September 22nd and shared at the next meeting of the Council Committee on Animal Services on September 29th.
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