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Home My WebLink AboutANI 2021-07-14 Minutes R. NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER Director Stefanie Martinez called the meeting to order on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 09:02 a.m ROLL CALL Present: Dr. Russell Johnson, DVM Veterinarian Suzy Compton Council Member Stefanie Martinez Director, Neighborhood Services Jay Sabatucci Executive Director, TACA Staff: Keane Menefee Animal Services Manager B.1. CITIZEN PRESENTATION An opportunity for citizens to address the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Board on matters which are not scheduled for consideration by the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Board or another City Board or Commission at a later date. In order to address the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Board during citizen's presentation, a Public Meeting Appearance Card must be completed and presented to the recording secretary prior to the start of the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Board meeting. Citizen Becky Wise, representing Mid-Cities Community Cats addressed the Animal Adoption & Rescue Center Advisory Board concerning trap-neuter-vaccinate-release for feral cats in North Richland Hills. She requested that the AARC encourage citizens to contact their organization with feral cat problems. She asked if we would provide an informational brochure available to the public on their services. Animal Services Manager Keane Menefee agreed to encourage citizens that are having feral cat issues to contact Mid-Cities Community Cats and that we would make space for their informational brochures. Ms. Wise thanked the committee for their time and assistance. B.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS An opportunity for citizens to address the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Committee on matters which are scheduled on this agenda for consideration July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 1 of 6 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 by the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Committee, but not scheduled as a public hearing. In order to address the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Committee during public comments, a Public Meeting Appearance Card must be completed and presented to the secretary prior to the start of the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Committee meeting. No public comments C. ACTION ITEMS C. 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 11, 2019 ANIMAL ADOPTION & RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Committee member Jay Sabatucci moved to approve the minutes for the December 11, 2019 Animal Adoption & Rescue Center Advisory Committee meeting. Dr. Russell Johnson seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4 - O. D. DEPARTMENT REPORTS D.1. Animal Services Response to COVID-19 a) Closed shelter to the public from March 13, 2020 — May 11, 2020 b) Staffing: a. Broke staffing up into 2 teams during April — May, 2020 b. 3 employees tested positive for Coronavirus c. Only 1 staff member not vaccinated for COVID d. Staffing levels full for first half of pandemic, lost PT-kennel tech in December and PT kennel-tech this past week. e. Stopped owner releases and animal trapping during this period of time i. Resumed owner releases and trapping after re-opening on May 11, 2021 ii. Shut trapping down again on October 21, 2020 f. Stopped volunteers when shutdown began in March 2020 and resumed in May 2021 i. Warm Hugs program may never resume July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 2 of 6 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 D.2. Impact on daily operations, procedures and protocols a) Free adoptions during COVID-19 pandemic b) Low cost clinics drive-thru c) Screening owner release animals to possible exposure to COVID+ individuals D.3. Live animal release rates during pandemic a) Have seen reduction in animal's length of stay during pandemic entering the facility a. COVID Stats: i. Average daily count of animals in the shelter- 1. March 13, 2019 — March 13, 2020: Dogs 29, Cats 78 2. March 13, 2020 — March 13, 2021: Dogs 16, Cats 35 ii. Average Length of Stay- Days 1. Pre-COVID: Cats- 32.3 days and Dogs- 9.7 days 2. Pandemic: Cats- 19.2 days and Dogs- 7.5 days iii. Live Release Rate- 1. Pre-COVID Live Release Rate: 92.5% 2. Pandemic: 95.5`)/0 D.4. Long-term impacts on future practices a) Length of stay a. Monitor for trends to see if adjustments such as fees and microchipping can be made to keep length of stay as short as possible b) Adoption and reclaim fees a. Monitor if fees should be adjusted in order to keep live release as high as possible and reduce length of stay and daily counts of animals in the shelter c) Trapping a. Continue to discontinue program d) Owner releases a. Consider waiting periods and required vaccinations D.5. Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 divisional statistics for shelter, field, volunteer, and veterinarian services a) Committee was provided fiscal year activity report a. FY20 & 21 Highlights: July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 3 of 6 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 i. Impounds: _ 1. FY 20 Impounds: 1,620- down 3rd straight year, -42% since 2017 2. FY21 Impounds: 1,157 with projection of 1,542 ii. Euthanasia Reduction: 1. FY20 Dogs: 28- down 4th straight year and -85% since 2017 2. FY20 Cats: 44- down 5th straight year and -84% since 2017 3. FY21: Dogs: 36- trending up due to owner request EU 4. FY21: Cats: 24- projection of 32....barn cats, fosters iii. Live Release Rate: 1. FY20: 95%, +21% from FY19, no healthy adoptable animals euthanized 2. FY21: 96.7%, no healthy adoptable animals euthanized iv. Spay/Neuter and Medical: 1. FY20 S/N: 520, 187 dogs and 333 cats 2. FY21 S/N: 292, 171 dogs and 245 cats v. Rabies Vaccinations 1. FY20 Rabies Vaccinations: 716 2. FY21: Rabies Vaccinations: 528 vi. Microchip Implants: 1. FY20: 570 2. FY21: 395 vii. Licenses: 1. FY20: 2,406 2. F21: 1,836 with a projection of 2,448 D.6. Upcoming Clear the Shelters and Doggie Beach Bash special events a) Clear the Shelters a. Month-long event, August 23 — September 19th b) Doggie Beach Bash a. Saturday, September 25th b. Currently seeking donations D.7. Current staffing vacancies a) Vacancies- 2 PIT kennel tech positions July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 4 of 6 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 b) Advertising for positions, but in 3 months, have had 3 applicants: a. One applicant no showed interview, one applicant didn't disclose criminal history on application, and one applicant had an unsuccessful interview. c) Working with City Manager's office on possibly reclassifying positions to either full-time kennel techs or vet-tech position and reducing hours of operation at the AARC. E. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS E.1. Officer safety in the field and possible future equipment considerations. a) JPX Pepper Gun a. State laws concerning pepper spray b. Local animal controls using it: i. Arlington, Irving, Dallas, Mansfield, Fort Worth c. Bundle Kit, including JPX, Holster, Carrying Case and 2 Cartridges: $569.95 Discussion: Dr. Johnson stated that the use of pepper spray was a safer alternative than impact weapons, such as batons. Jay Sabatucci asked what the kit included. Committee expressed concern for lack of officer's safety in the field when dealing with dangerous animals and the few tools available to them during the course of their duties. Committee Action: Committee members were all in favor of providing the Animal Services officer's with the JPX pepper gun. Director Martinez asked Menefee to compose a memorandum discussing the equipment, costs, and usage so that she could brief the City Manager's office. E.2 Current pet owner relinquishment practices and options to increase owner retention and decrease volume of animals entering the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center. a) Current practice a. $19 owner relinquishment fee b. no waiting period c. no required vaccination/medical upon intake b) Possible options July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 5 of 6 R NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 7301 IRON HORSE BLVD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 WEDNESDAY, July 14, 2021 a. 7, 14, and/or 30-day reservation period depending on vaccination status and shelter space b. Require rabies/combo vaccine for dogs/cats and 30-days from inoculation date Discussion: Menefee discussed the concern of disease outbreaks of distemper and canine parvovirus at area shelters. He stated that since the pandemic began, most area shelter have been managing owner release animals through appointments and holding periods before relinquishment. Committee asked what Menefee was recommending. Menefee stated that for owner release animals that are currently vaccinated, the recommended holding period would be 7 or 14 days, depending on shelter space and currently scheduled appointments. For owner release animals that are unvaccinated, the recommended holding period would be 30 days after vaccination inoculation to ensure complete protection from frequently seen diseases in a shelter environment. Committee Action: Committee members were all in favor of managing owner release animals with a holding period. The proposed holding periods of 7, 14, and 30 days were recommended. Director Martinez asked Menefee to compose a memorandum discussing the proposed owner relinquishment holding periods so that she could brief the City Manager's office. F. ADJOURNMENT Committee member Jay Sabatucci moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Russell Johnson seconded the motion. Motion to adjourn carried 4 - O. Meeting adjourned at 10:53 a.m. ATTEST; / V Keade Menef6e, Animal Services Manager Date July 14, 2021 ANIMAL ADOPTION AND RESCUE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 6 of 6