Just a quick note to begin...
I had heard that there were questions about the Commission's Liaison Committee. The committee is made up of Commission members Joy Freedman, Leslie Kaminsky, and Jim O'Neill as well as Commission Chair Deborah Stone Hess. We meet each month with officials from BCAS to ask questions and get updated information on what's happening at the shelter. These meetings usually run about two hours. At each Commission meeting, there's a summary of all that's covered. That summary is part of each post on this blog.
Here's a summary of the October meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Commission.
AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 18, 2016 MEETING
1) Call to Order
2) Roll Call-Determination of a quorum-Attending were Deborah Stone Hess, Leslie Kaminski, Janice Vincent, Roy Plummer, Michelle Guarino, Joy Freedman, Lavinia Ringgold, Julianne Zimmer, and Ann Gearhart
3) Approval of minutes from September meeting
HERE ARE THE MINUTES AS APPROVED:
Baltimore County Animal Services Advisory Commission
Drumcastle Government Center
September 20, 2016
The thirteenth regular meeting of the Baltimore County Animal Services Advisory Commission was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in the Main Conference Room of the Drumcastle Government Center. This meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m., by the Chair, Deborah Stone Hess. Members in attendance were Deborah Stone Hess, Ann Gearhardt, Leslie Kaminski, Roy Plummer, Lavinia Ringgold, and Dr. Jean Townsend.
Minutes
Minutes from the July 19, 2016 meeting were motioned and approved with the correction that Michelle Guarino joined the meeting, by phone.
New Business
Replacement for Joselyn Spiga
Julianne Zimmer with ReLove Animals, Inc. will be replacing Ms. Spiga on the Baltimore County Animal Services Advisory Commission. Ms. Zimmer’s passion is education of animal issues, especially with children. She has helped create a curriculum for pre-k and early learning students that is taught by teachers with a conversation lead PowerPoint presentation. This program is in 135-140 Baltimore City classrooms. The program teaches compassion, accountability and responsibility. Ms. Zimmer helped to pass legislation in 2014 regulating pet stores and is also on the Baltimore City Animal Abuse Advisory Commission.
Volunteer Dismissal
In reference to the volunteer at Animal Services that was dismissed, this is a personnel issue. Dealing with personnel issues is not part of the Commission’s charter. A copy of the County Administrator’s letter was distributed.
Summary of Liaison Committee
Ms. Freedman had a class at the shelter, there were none in attendance. It was advertised to not bring pets, but to come for a question and answer session. At the next class it was suggested that a theme be created in order to make it more enticing for people to come. Basic behavior class was suggested. Ms. Gearhardt suggested that classes occur at local libraries. Mr. Plummer suggested a class at a community dog park so that pets could come as well. Ms. Kaminski suggested basic training classes at one of the rabies clinics. This will be discussed further at the next Liaison Meeting.
West Side Spay and Neuter Clinic
At this time staff is being recruited and hired. Opening is planned for November. The clinic will be located at Southwest Area Park.
Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR)
The new TNR Coordinator is Rebecca Sass-Crews. The new TNR hotline number is 410-887-2727. Calls will be returned within 2-3 business days.
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Baltimore is planning on expanding the TNR program and Community Cats Maryland (CCMD) will not be participating.
Shelter Specific Software
Baltimore County Animal Shelter will not be adopting the use of shelter specific software. They currently uses Accela software. The shelter specific software suggested is too expensive.
Meeting with members of the County Council
Commission members Deborah Stone, Joy freedman and Leslie Kaminski met with members of the County Council to discuss the BCAS Status Report submitted by the Commission in July 2016. Among items discussed were the need for expansion of the volunteer program and more duties for the volunteers. Commission members also talked about the need for the shelter to be open on Sundays.
Members of the Commission have received complaints about the time that it takes for photos of stray animals picked up by Animal Services to be placed on their website. BCAS says photos are on the website the same day a stray animal is picked up. Deborah says she will pass along any complaints about specific animals’ photos being delayed as soon as she receives them so BCAS can follow up to determine whether there is a problem.
Eventually BCAS hopes to be able to have animal control officers take and post photos in the field. To that end, Baltimore County is working on the necessary software or phone application. Ann advised that shelter rules must still be followed. At this time, it is unknown what the protocol will be if an animal owner approaches animal control officers on the street while their pet is in custody.
Discussion of a Vice Chairperson
Mr. Plummer and Ms. Kaminski have suggested each other. This item will be discussed at another meeting.
Emergency Equipment
Ms. Gearhardt questioned about what happened to, trailers, crates and other emergency animal equipment. Ms. Gearhardt asked for the shelter and BARCS to put FEMA brochure in adoption packets. Ms. Hess to check as to where this equipment went. The last training was three years ago.
Advertisements
In New York, local newspaper ads are sold to sponsor animals in the shelters. This shows a partnership between local stores and the animal shelter. TV stations are no longer required to do public service announcements, but at times, they do have spot times on radio/tv that are not purchased.
New Publication - JMORE
Local people in the Jewish Community are forming JMORE, a new alternative to the Jewish Times.. Deb will be writing a blog about animal issues. There will be both a hard copy and electronic form of JMORE. A piece on the Baltimore County Animal Shelter has been arranged. Ms. Hess will let everyone know when the first post goes up.
Next Meeting
The Commission will convene on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Drumcastle Government Center, 3rd floor main conference room.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
4) New Business
b) 3rd Quarter Statistics
Here are the shelter's statistics from the third quarter of 2016.
MARYLAND ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER SURVEY
Name of Shelter/Facility: Baltimore County Animal Services
Address: 13800 Manor Road Baldwin, MD. 21013
Name of Shelter Manager: Lauren Pavlik
EMAIL: lpavlik@baltimorecountymd.gov Phone: 410-887-PAWS (7297) Name of Person completing this survey: Gary Klunk
Activity for Reporting Quarter: July-September, 2016
DOGS CATS
Name of Shelter/Facility: Baltimore County Animal Services
Address: 13800 Manor Road Baldwin, MD. 21013
Name of Shelter Manager: Lauren Pavlik
EMAIL: lpavlik@baltimorecountymd.gov Phone: 410-887-PAWS (7297) Name of Person completing this survey: Gary Klunk
Activity for Reporting Quarter: July-September, 2016
DOGS CATS
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A. Live Animal Count at Beginning of Qtr
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46
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147
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LIVE INTAKE DURING QTR:
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||
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B. Stray/At Large
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325
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608
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C. Relinquished by Owner
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169
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279
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D. Owner Requested Euthanasia
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29
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66
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E. Transferred in from another Agency
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0
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0
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F. Other Live Intakes (impounds, births, animals
placed in foster care, brought in for TNR, etc)
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0
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0
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G. TOTAL LIVE INTAKE DURING QTR (B+C+D+E+F)
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523
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953
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H. Adoption
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161
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334
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I. Returned to Owner
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165
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23
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J. Transferred to another Agency
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122
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284
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K. Other Live Outcome (includes TNRs released)
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0
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0
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L. Died/Lost in Care
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0
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10
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M. Euthanasia- at Owner’s Request
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27
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60
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N. Euthanasia-All other than owner request
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31
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202
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O. TOTAL DISPOSITION DURING QTR
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506
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913
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P. Live Animal Count at End of QTR (includes
Fosters). (A+G - O)
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63
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187
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In order to better understand to what degree unowned cats are a source of intake and euthanasia,
we need your help. To the best of your abilities, please indicate what percent and/or how much of
CAT intake would you consider unowned (i.e. feral, or community cats) animals:
How many of the euthanized cats would you guess are unowned: |
||
1/Pursuant to section 2-1602(H) of the Agriculture Article which states: “Beginning January 14,2014, each county and municipal animal control shelter and each
organization that contracts with a county or municipality for animal control shall report quarterly to the Department on a form prescribed by the Department
describing for the previous 3 months: (1) The number of cats and dogs taken in; (2) The number of cats and dogs disposed of, broken down by method of disposal,
including euthanasia; and (3) Any other relevant data the Department requires.”Please return completed survey by email attachment to
mda.spayandneuter@maryland.gov or by mail to Maryland Department of Agriculture, Marketing Department (Spay and Neuter Program), 50 Harry S Truman
Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions call Jane Mallory 410-481-5766 email: Jane.Mallory@maryland.gov .
Clearly there is an increase in cat euthanasia. The reason for this is the very large number of cats that have flooded BCAS and all other area shelters as well as rescues during the last quarter.
This is a spike that happens annually. It is of concern for sure, but it's also important to note that the euthanasia numbers from the third quarter of this year are much lower than they were in the third quarter of 2015.
Here is a comparison of the third quarter stats with this year's second quarter stats and stats from the third quarter of 2015.
STATS COMPARISON
INTAKE
3RD QTR. 2016
2ND QTR. 2016
3rd QTR. 2015
523 dogs 446 dogs 447 dogs
953 cats 874 cats 838 cats
REDEEMED
3rd QTR. 2016 2ND QTR. 2016 3RD QTR. 2015
165 dogs 132 dogs 144 dogs
23
cats 21
cats 25 cats
TRANSFERRED TO OTHER AGENCY RESCUE
3rd
qtr. 2016 2nd
qtr. 2016 3rd
qtr. 2015
122
dogs 112 dogs 65 dogs
284
cats 438
cats 170 cats
EUTHANIZED (OTHER THAN BY OWNER REQUEST)
3RD
QTR. 2016 2ND QTR.
2016 3RD QTR. 2015
31
dogs 23 dogs 71 dogs
202
cats 96 cats 392 cats
EUTHANASIA PERCENTAGES (MINUS OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANASIA)
3rd QTR. 2016 2nd QTR. 2016 3rd QTR. 2015
Dogs: about 5.9% Dogs: About 5.1% Dogs: About 15.8%
Cats: About 21% Cats: About 10.9% Cats: About 46.7%
Leslie Kaminski and Jim O'Neill will be resigning from the Animal Services Advisory Commission. Both were appointments of the County Executive. Both have been an important part of the Commission's work and will be missed! The County Executive's office is is in the process of finding replacements for them.
d) Summary of Liaison Committee meeting
Here is a summary of what took place at the Liaison Committee meeting at BCAS:
LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY
OUR LIAISON COMMITTEE MET
TODAY OCT. 18. ATTAENDING WERE JUST JOY AND DEBORAH ALONG WITH DR. JONES AT THE
SHELTER. JIM O’NEILL IS OUT OF TOWN AND LESLIE KAMINSKI HAD AN ANIMAL CONTROL
BOARD HEARING. GARY KLUNK ALSO HAD TO ATTEND THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD HEARING AND
WASN’T ABLE TO GET TO OUR MEETING AT THE SHELTER UNTIL THE END OF THE MEETING.
AS USUAL, THE MEETING RAN
ABOUT TWO HOURS. SO, WE COVERED A LOT.
HERE IS A SUMMARY:
1) WE TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS (ACO’S)
AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM DURING OFF HOURS. EVEN WHEN ACO’S ARE
NOT ON DUTY, THERE IS ALWAYS AN ACO ON CALL.
WHEN A CITIZEN HAS A PROBLEM DURING THOSE OFF HOURS AND CALLS 911,,
CERTAIN CASES WILL BE DISPATCHED TO POLICE OFFICERS…NAMELY BITE INCIDENTS AND
SITUATIONS WHERE DOMESTIC ANIMALS ARE IN PERIL, FOR EXAMPLE, ANIMALS LEFT IN
CARS.
IN OTHER CASES, 911 CONTACTS THE ACO ON
CALL; FOR EXAMPLE, IF A CITIZEN HAS A STRAY ANIMAL AND HAS MANAGED TO CONFINE
THE ANIMAL. IF A CITIZEN SAYS THEY HAVE
A STRAY DOG,. ACO’S WILL NOT RESOND UNLESS THE ANIMAL IS CONFINED.
2) JENNIFER FLATT HAS LEFT BCAS. THERE IS A NEW VOLUNTEER
COORDINATOR. HER NAME IS HEIDI GRISWOLD. PRIOR TO TAKING THIS POSITION, SHE WAS
A SHELTER ATTENDANT AT BCAS FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER COMING TO BCAS FROM
THE HARFORD HUMANE SOCIETY. SHE’S LOVELY. WE MET HER TODAY AND SHE SEEMS VERY
ENTHUSIASTIC.
3) THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OFF SITE EVENTS COMING UP IN THE
NEXT TWO WEEKS. FIRST IS THE FALL FEST IN TOWSON THIS FRIDAY. THEN
BARCSTOBERFEST THIS SATURDAY. AND NEXT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY THERE IS THEW
SENIOR EXPO.
4) THE SHELTER WAS WORKING ON GETTING AGRMENTS IN PLACE
WITH PETSMART TO CONDUCT EVENTS THERE. ALL OF THE PAPERWORK IS COMPLETED. THEY
ARE WAITING FOR PETSMART TO GIVE THEM DATES WHEN OFF SITE EVENTS THERE CAN
BEGIN.
5) WE DISCUSSED VOLUNTEER DUTIERS. DR. JONES SAYS SHE
WOULD LIKE TO WORK TOWARD HAVING VOLUNTEERS WHO COME ON A BUSY ADOPTION SAY
LIKE SATURDAY TO BE ABLE TO BE MORE
INTRACTIVE WITH POTENTIAL ADOPTERS. THAT’S EASY TO DO IN THECAT ROOM BUT MORE
COMPLICATED WITH DOGS. ONCE THEY GET THROUGH THE EVENTS SCHEDULED OVER THE NEXT
COUPLE OF WEEKS DR. JONES SAYS SHE WANTS TO SIT DOWN AND BEGIN WORKING TO
REVAMP THE VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK AND SOME OTHER MATERIALS.
6) THE COUNTY IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS FOR OPENBING
ITS WEST SIDE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC. THEY HAD HOPED TO HAVE IT OEPRATION AL IN
NOVEMBER. IT HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO DECEMBER.
7) CCMD’S LAST CLINIC AT THE COUNTY’S EAST SIDE
SPAY/NEUTER CENTER WILL BE IN NOVEMBER. THE NEW TNR COORDINATOR IS BUSY GETTING
READY FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE COUNTY’S TNR PROGRAM.
8) ANN GEARHART HAD WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE
COUNTY’S EMERGENCY TRAILER THAT CAN BE USED WHEN PEOPLE AND PETS ARE DISPLACED
FROM THEIR HOMES IN AN EMERGENCY LIKE A HURRICANE. THE TRAILER IS STILL THERE.
AND THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL TRAILER THAT THE COUNTY GOT LAST YEAR. THEY MAY USE
ONE OF THEM FORMEGA ADOPTION EVENTS AS WELL.
9) THERE IS ANOTHER MEGA ADOPTION EVENT ON THE CALENDAR.
YOU’LL REMEMBER THE ONE AT THE TIMONIUM FAIRGROUNDS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HOW
SUCCESSFUL IT WAS IN CLEARING THE CAGES AT BCAS. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE HELD AT
WHITE MARSH MALL IN WHAT IS NOW A HALLOWEEN STORE. IT WILL TAKE PLACE NOV.19TH.
OTHERS PARTICIPATING WILL BE BARCS, THE SPCA, ANDPOSSIBLY BMORE HUMANE AND THE
HARFORD HUMANE SOCIETY.
Both Deborah Stone Hess and Joy Freedman are writing for a new publication called Jmore. Joy is writing for the printed publication and Deborah is writing a blog for the publication's online version.
Jmore is a free monthly publication. Deborah's blog posts are changed every Friday. The address of the blog is jmoreliving.com. Just click on blogs and scroll down to Deborah's blog. Deborah's post this Friday will be about BCAS.
6) Announcement of Next Meeting Date and Location
The next meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Commission will take place Nov. 15th at the Drumcastle Building on the third floor.
7) Adjournment
