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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-03-16 minutesMinutes Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Members Present: Dr. Greg Boyer, Chair Lt. Chad Stieferman ACO Cody Garner Dr. Melissa Bolden, Vice Chair Captain Derek Heislen ACO Binkley Chief Roger Schroeder Dr. Stacey Beddoe Lori Blatter, Shelter Manager Dr. Greg Popp The Animal Shelter Committee met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday March 16, 2021 in the Conference Room, Jefferson City Animal Shelter, 2308 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City Missouri. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Boyer, Chair. Approval of Minutes Dr. Bolden moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Dr. Beddoe seconded the motion. Staff Reports Shelter manager Lori Blatter discussed the decreased intake of dogs in comparison to the same time in 2019 and 2020. The reasons may vary, however the shelter industry is concerned that once citizens return to work and life begins to become more normal, many of the pets adopted during the COVID 19 crisis will be relinquished to shelters. Manager Blatter introduced the two new Animal Control Officers Cody Garner and Alexis Binkley who started in September 2020. Dr. Greg Popp has been assisting in the shelter two days a week since the veterinarian position has been open. Dr. Popp informed the advisory board that the shelter is running very smoothly. He stated that everyone is busy and working together to get the tasks done. He has noticed a strong improvement in the last year. Dr. Popp reported that the vet staff has done an excellent job running the vet room in the vets absence. He stated that they always have things organized and ready for him when he comes. Lt. Stieferman and the board thanked Dr. Popp for his assistance during the veterinarian vacancy. Dr. Popp brought up the treatment of ringworm cats. There was much discussion regarding what the shelter treats and what they don’t. Lt. Stieferman reiterated that “the shelter is not a treatment facility” There was further discussion regarding the various diseases and how, or if they should be treated. Dr. Beddoe stated that If the ringworm cat is a “ill thrift cat” it may warrant a different approach. Dr. Boyer stated that this is the reason that the shelter should have standard operating procedures to which the Minutes Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 16, 2021 veterinarian could follow. If there were extenuating circumstances, the vet, with documentation, could stray from those. Lt. Stieferman reminded everyone that we are not an animal hospital, we are a municipal shelter. Lt. Stieferman stated that the shelter does have an SOP in progress but with all the recent changes and the loss of the vet it has not been completed. It will be a priority once the new veterinarian begins working at the shelter. Dr. Boyer suggested that the advisory board members should probably review and sign off on the SOP. Written Correspondence There was an email sent from a citizen who disagreed with the 1 year rabies policy. There was discussion over how that policy came into effect. The shelter manager called the citizen and explained the reasoning behind the 1 year rabies vaccination. The shelter does not intend to move forward with any changes unless the advisory board changes its opinion or the city council would want it changed. Old Business Stainless Steel Cat Kennels- the kennels are installed and finish work has been completed. The Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter have approved ordering and installation of the remaining intake kennels. The contract will be managed by the city. Manager Blatter has the quote for the kennels and is awaiting quotes from installers. Dog Kennel flaps are at the shelter. The City is currently working on approving funds for installation. The first reading went before the city council on 3/15/21. The 2nd reading will be completed on April 5, 2021. HVAC- Thermo Mechanics inspected the shelter’s HVAC system and gave a training to Centech. The HVAC has not had any problems since that time. Shelter Veterinarian- Dr. Schaller has accepted the city’s offer for the position of shelter veterinarian. He resides in the State of California and his estimated start date will be near the end of April. Dr. Schaller visited the shelter and spoke with Captain Heislen and Manager Blatter during that visit. New Business Dr. Bolden informed the advisory committee that she has taken a position in Columbia, Missouri and will not be able to continue on as an advisory board member. Manager Blatter will reach out to find applicants to fill that position. The crematorium continues to run at approximately 25% capacity. No mass cremations are being done at this time. Lt. Stieferman reported that an agreement between the Humane Society, Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter and the City of Jefferson has been reached with each entity picking up part of the repair bill. Lt. Stieferman is working on getting additional input and bids for the repairs. In addition, the shelter is most likely going to start charging a nominal fee for picking up pets from the veterinary clinics. Most likely around $3.00 per pet. This fee would be tracked in an effort to use it for future crematorium repairs and replacement. It should produce about $7000.00 a year in revenue. Dr. Boyer stated there used to be a fee and it went away for some reason. Dr. Boyer stated that he didn’t think the local vets would have an issue with that fee. Minutes Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Lt. Stieferman reported that the shelter is attempting to purchase two commercial dishwashers. Each dishwasher would have its own water heater and a water softener would also be installed to supply the dishwashers with soft water. First reading went before the City Council on March 16, 2021. Final reading will occur on April 5, 2021. The dishwashers heat to a temperature to eradicate various diseases and viruses that a normal dishwasher cannot. These will have a positive impact on the health of the pets at the shelter. Manager Blatter advised the board that the rabies vaccination reimbursement payments are not being submitted in a timely manner from several clinics. In addition, some are not using the proper forms and/or sending the rabies voucher back with the forms. Last year there were many requests for payment after the City’s fiscal deadline which causes issues. Dr. Boyer discussed various billing procedures which might make a set date difficult. It was suggested that they be remitted with 45 days. Manager Blatter will send out a letter reminding clinics of the procedures and including the form that is to be used when submitting the request for payment. Dr. Schaller will be attending the monthly veterinarian meetings. Dr. Boyer stated they are usually the last Friday of the month. Dr. Boyer will let Manager Blatter know when the meetings resume. Meeting Adjourned at 1:28pm Next meeting June 15, 2021 12:30 PM Conference Room, Jefferson City Animal Shelter Respectfully submitted Lori A Blatter