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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.06.08 TCACA Minutes MINUTES Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority 5:30 PM - Thursday, June 8, 2023 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Attendees: City of Kennewick Representative: BJ Moos City of Pasco Representative: Jesse Rice City of Richland Representative: David Neher City of Pasco -Tri-Cities Animal Services Manager: Ben Zigan City of Pasco - Administrative Assistant II: Ally Garza City of Pasco - Department Assistant II: Annen Martin Mr. Rice opened the meeting with a welcome and provided brief announcement on the structure of the meeting and presented the other Cities representatives. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mary stated that she works closely with veterans and retired police officers, often times turning dogs into service dogs for them. She also works closely with Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue to train and save dogs from euthanasia. When the shelter had Jelly Roll and Tigger, she had to choose which one she could take and train. She only wishes she could have taken them both. Mary agrees with euthanasia under the right circumstances. Sometimes the aggression can stem from something neurological. However, the Tri-Cities Animal Control Shelter (TCACS) is not a good place to evaluate a dog. She stated that when she received Tigger at Maddox Dog Training Academy, he had been put on Gabapentin and Trazadone. These meds are used to calm and settle the dog. Unfortunately, there was nothing neurologically wrong with Tigger. Between the meds and the stress he was under in the TCACS, this is what caused him to become aggressive. Mary has offered to come in and volunteer with the dogs and do some training. She believes there should be at least two evaluations on a dog before they are referred for euthanasia. The other issue to address is the so called dog bites that are being reported. There are not nearly the amount of actual bites that the public believes. Most dogs are just excited and will nip or catch a tooth. Page 1 of 6 These are not dog bites and do no warrant the dog being labeled aggressive or dangerous. Also, when a dog feels cornered, he may turn somewhat aggressive. Let the dog come to you, don’t necessarily approach the dog. What it comes down to is that a lot of dogs that are deemed aggressive, really are not. With the right help and training, most of these dogs can become adoptable. Mary also had questions regarding the funding for the new TCACS facility. She mentioned that when the new TCACS facility is built, it would be good if the staff could work with other rescues to do fundraising. City of Pasco Representative Mr. Rice mentioned that the City is working on out-of-state transfers with Oregon and Idaho. This will alleviate the over population in the shelter and other rescues. It will also lessen the chance of a dog being euthanized if the dog/cat can be transferred out. The $150.00 it would cost to complete the transfer is well worth it if it means saving the dog. Regarding the funding for the new TCACS facility, it is funded by all three Cities. Mr. Rice also mentioned that it would be a good idea for Mary to bring all of her concerns to the City Council Meeting to be addressed. The ultimate goal is take care of the dogs and get them the training they need to become adoptable, as well as free up space in the TCACS and other rescues. Tammy, works for PetSmart and regularly works with rescues and shelters to adopt dogs out off site, stated that generally, the adoption cost for dogs and cats in the Puget Sound area is $400.00 for dogs and $200.00 for cats. This would help cover transportation and event costs. It would also help bring revenue in for the TCACS. Crates and supplies would be stored at the stores, and there would be no cost to the TCACS. The most important benefit of participating in these adoption events is that it will open up more space in the TCACS and with the other rescues, to allow for more dogs and cats to come in. Mr. Rice indicated that Tammy had a great idea and that he had talked to her before. Tammy provided her information and Department Assistant II Annen Martin, is currently working on getting the paperwork needed to make the adoption events happen. Jennifer would like to have backyard breeders addressed, as well as the cruelty towards animals. She referred to not only cats and dogs, but an array of other animals too. She requested that staff address the carelessness of the people. Mr. Rice, thanked Jennifer for bringing her concerns to this meeting. He also requested that should she see any further incidences, that she report them. OLD BUSINESS Page 2 of 6 April 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes NEW BUSINESS TCACA AGENCY REPORTS Deputy Police Chief Neher said there was nothing to report from the City of Richland. City of Kennewick Lieutenant Moos said there was nothing to report from the City of Kennewick. Tri-Cities Animal Shelter Manager, Mr. Zigan, provided an update regarding the running of the Tri-Cities Animal Control Shelter (TCACS). TRI-CITIES ANIMAL SHELTER UPDATES Bi Monthly Statistics for April & May Intakes for April: 258 Pasco 40 – Dogs 75 – Cats Kennewick 38 – Dogs 44 – Cats Richland / West Richland 13 – Dogs 29 – Cats Returns / Surrenders: 16 10 – Dogs 6 – Cats Seized: 3 3 – Dogs Adoptions for April: 104 58 – Dogs 46 – Cats Transferred Out (April): 95 Page 3 of 6 14 – Dogs 81 – Cats Euthanasia Medical: 13 2 – Dogs 11 – Cats Euthanasia Behavioral: 0 Intakes for May: 298 Pasco 55 – Dogs 86 – Cats Kennewick 31 – Dogs 96 – Cats Richland / West Richland 13 – Dogs 10 – Cats Returns / Surrenders: 11 8 – Dogs 3 – Cats Seized: 2 1 – Dog 1 – Cat Adoptions for May: 97 43 – Dogs 54 – Cats Transferred Out (May): 107 26 – Dogs 81 – Cats Euthanasia Medical: 9 9 – Cats Euthanasia Behavioral: 2 1 – Dog 1 – Cat Communications Plan Page 4 of 6 Currently, the Tri-Cities Animal Control Shelter (TCACS) is posting on social media 2-3 posts a week. All posts are either informative, uplifting, and/or fun. They sometimes will also highlight the pet of the week. • The public really liked the post on animal CPR, as there are different methods for different types of dogs/cats. • One uplifting post consisted of the time when eight homeschooled boys came to the TCACS and read to and played with the dogs. Such a touching and heartwarming story. • The TCACS recently had a group of girls bring in goodie bags for the animals. • Another post that seemed to really touch the public, was the post regarding long distance dog adoptions. • People from all over the country come to the TCACS because they found the perfect dog for them online. It’s so refreshing to hear positive stories of hope for these animals. • The public also tends to enjoy the updates the shelter posts on adopted animals. • The TCACS is regularly posting construction updates on the new building, and the progress that is being made. Outreach and Events The TCACS is currently working with SECOMM to set up after hour services for the public to contact the on-call Animal Control Officer or leave messages for non- emergencies. The TCACS staff is communicating closely with current outreach groups, and trying to obtain more contacts, so that there are more options for placing dogs and cats. The TCACS is going to be using "SECTOR", which is an automated e-ticketing system that will file tickets electronically, saving money and time. The TCACS staff is in the process of creating and implementing a visitor’s liability waiver, to protect the TCACS facility, the City, and the public. The TCACS has currently partnered with Krystal from Speak Dog, to provide training and assessments on the dogs. Staffing, Training, and Volunteering 3 – Animal Control Officers 1 – Animal Control & Shelter Lead 1 – Animal Control Dispatcher 1 – Animal Services Manager 1 – Department Assistant 2 – Front Desk/Customer Service Representatives 1 – Transfer Coordinator 2 – Animal Intake/Medical Assistants 6 – Animal Care Technicians (2 Vacant) Page 5 of 6 The two vacant Animal Care Technician positions will be filled on June 12th. Both candidates will begin orientation on that day. Training Hours Bite stick training for ACO’s – 10 hours Hantavirus training for shelter staff – 10 hours SECTOR Training – 12 hours Minimizing Workplace Gossip Training – 2 hours Search Warrant Training – 2 hours 36 hours Updates to Policies/Process/Operations The TCACS facility currently at full capacity for dogs. All other rescues and humane societies are full as well. Adoptions have drastically slowed and there are more dogs coming in than going out. This presents a challenge each time a new dog enters the shelter. The TCACS staff is running into issues with out-of-state transfers. In order to transfer out-of-state from rescue to rescue, a USDA Veterinarian must sign off on the animal beforehand. The cost to do so is $150.00 per animal. The TCACS’s new schedule is Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. This allows the public more access to the animals. However, in order to minimize overtime for intake staff, the TCACS is considering making 4:30 pm the latest intake time. The TCACS is currently looking for rotating behavior consultants to work with the dogs, staff, and volunteers. TCAS Budget Mr. Zigan stated that the TCACS is operating within budget. The TCACS should be able to stay within budget if there are no unforeseen issues. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 10, 2023 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:49 PM Page 6 of 6