Min - Animal Shelter Advisory Committee - 2021 - 3/24 - Regular ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
March 24,2021
Present: Absent:
Deborah Michnick, Chair
Pamela Ackerman,Vice-Chair
Raymon Yarbrough, Secretary
Dr.Alan Coffman
Jon Toney
Deputy City Secretary Rocio Gonzalez
City Council Liaison Lauren Doherty
Call to Order
With a quorum of the Board members present,the Regular Meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee
was called to order by Chair Michnick at 7:04 p.m.on Wednesday,March 24,2021,during a zoom call meeting.
1. Approve Minutes of the November 18,2020 Regular Meeting.
The minutes were approved by the acclamation of the board.
2. Status of shelter operations due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Shelter is open without restrictions in compliance with Governor's orders and staff has return to
10-hour work shift to better allow for a training day. There will be continued practice of social
distancing among staff and the public.
3. Update on Eagle Scout projects.
Connor cleaned out and reorganized crate corral.He also made pallet risers that make it possible to
use a blower underneath.
Landon is making benches for front entry way.(Delivery pending)
4. Update on addition of outside shed for donations and storage.
A new 8x12 shed has been ordered and will be used primarily to store donations freeing up space in
workroom. Waste containers have been moved to dumpster enclosure.
5. Update on stray animal intake list and online service requests on Animal Services webpage.
New addition to shelter webpage. All strays listed without pictures to encourage proper owner
identification via calls and visits to confirm. Rescue groups have called for strays when listed.
6. Report on 2020 statistics.
The majority of operations in 2020 were under COVID-19 restrictions,however there was not a
notable decrease in calls for service or animals impounded.At the start of restrictions and during
shelter in place, surrenders were down,however as the year went on abandoned animals increased
along with strays picked up by ACOs.Adoptions stayed the same. Citations decreased in comparison
to 2019 due to more warnings and time for corrections in consideration of the pandemic and stress
ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
March 24,2021 PAGE 2
and hardships it may produce.This also related to half the number of visitors in comparison to 2019.
Donations went from 20k in 2019 to 16k in 2020
7. Discuss and make recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to chapter 3,
animals and fowl,of the code of ordinances and/or standard operating procedures.
Proposal by Jon Toney on Trap-Neuter-Return(TNR)—Funded solely by private parties and
nonprofits. To address feral and community cat populations.Through a system of trapping and
release after animals have been neutered. Pending Police department approval before council review.
Motion to table item 7 by Alan Coffman,Seconded by Pam Ackerman . Item tabled until next
session.
8. Plans for upcoming events and projects.
The Clear the Shelters campaign has been moved to August 23rd-September 19th due to the 2020
Summer Olympics.Billings Production dinosaur puppy event with 12 boxer mix puppies was
successful and Billings expressed interest in partnering in a future adoption event. The first annual
Shelter open house in partnership with the National Animal Shelter week will take place 2nd week of
November. The event will have tours of animal services, adoption event, microchipping and more.
John Miller with Texas K9 rehab is onboard to teach and participate in the Dog ownership 101 class
to take place in the fall and Separation Anxiety video. Scheduling of presentations at apartment
complexes and HOAs for Yappy hour presentation and block parties has started the initial processes.
Adjournment
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Jon Toney and a second by Pam Ackerman,the Board voted five(5)
for and none (0) opposed to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory
Committee at 8:01 p.m. on Wednesday,March 24,2021. The motion carried.
These minutes pending approval.
APPROVED:
Deborah Michnick,CHAIR
ATTEST:
Ray Y ough,SECRETARY