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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100728minutesMinutes Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Members Present: Dr. Gregory Popp, Chairman Dr. Jim Crago, Vice Chair Dr. Greg Boyer, Committee Member Staff Liaison: Charles Lansford Others Present: Karen Jennings, Staff Dr. Amanda Dykstra -Wessel, Staff Diane Cary, Staff Patrick Joyce, Cole County Health Dept The Animal Shelter Committee met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room of City Hall, 320 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Popp, Chairman. Roll call was taken. Approval of Minutes from the April 28, 2010 Meeting The minutes of the April 28, 2010 regular meeting were reviewed and Dr. Boyer moved they be approved. Dr. Crago seconded and minutes were approved. Staff Reports Karen Jennings, Animal Shelter Director, discussed the plans for the new shelter. Drawings were distributed and the designs for the kennels, runs, working areas, fenced areas, etc. were discussed. Plans for ground breaking are scheduled for November 2010 and completion should be some time next summer. A question was asked about the veterinarian's work load once in the new shelter. It was stated that it would be the same, just more. Another question was raised if more lay help will be needed. Dr. Dykstra -Wessel responded by saying that she would like to have a licensed technician. This person could help prep animals for surgery while she would be performing the surgery. This position would help make schedules go smoother and quicker. Dr. Dykstra -Wessel added that the shelter will not work on any public animals. That will be for the area veterinarians. She stated that their goal for the new shelter will be that every animal that gets adopted and leaves the facility will be spayed or neutered before it leaves. Next, there was discussion about a bat that has tested positive for rabies that was found at 1703 Hayselton Drive. The owner stated that her 2 dogs, a lab and a chihuahua, were both in the room with the bat. Because of this both were exposed, but she has no idea if they were bit. The Shelter and Cole County Health Department will be working with the owner as to whether or not the animals should be euthanized or quarantined. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City of Jefferson Animal Shelter Advisory Committee July 28, 2010 pg 2 Review Written Correspondence No written correspondence was received. Old Business Dr. Boyer prepared a survey and sent it to all veterinarians inside the city limits asking their preference on how often rabies vaccines should be given. He also sent the survey to some in the surrounding areas. All veterinarians that he talked to except for one favored a 1 or 2 year vaccine protocol. It was stated that when going to a 3 -yr protocol owners are more likely to forget when their pet last had its vaccine and may not be regular with their pet's shots. The rabies vaccine is "public health driven" not how much money can be earned because it's an annual vaccine. It was decided that the benefits of having a yearly vaccine outweighs the risks. It was also stated that if a pet goes through trauma because of the shot, the veterinarian will automatically make note of that in its records and then administer a 3 -yr protocol. In conclusion, it is the opinion of the veterinarian community and the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee to not change the city ordinance. It will stay as is with requiring a rabies vaccine once a year. New Business There was no new business to discuss. Approve Next Meeting Date The next Animal Shelter Committee meeting will be Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 12:00 noon. Adjournment With no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Cary