HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Welfare Minutes 10/8/1996TO:
Board of
RE:
9/26/96,
DATE:
October
✓ Members present:
Selectmen
Animal Welfare Committee Meeting
8, 1996
/Susan Talavera VGeanine Parks
,/Matt Miller ✓Mike Lattari
Adah Brill -Cass
The Animal Welfare Committee met September 26 at the Town Hall. Four of the five
members were present to establish a quorum. Also attending the meeting were Animal
Humane Officer Jeff Collins and shelter volunteers Tara DeVeau, Connie DeVeau, Suzanne
Berry, and Dick Davenport. New volunteer Mindy Sullivan attended and took the minutes.
The Committee reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and approved them with one
minor change to Geanine Parks' fund - raising report: rather than "six cans at Mansfield
businesses in less than one month," it should read "12 cans In one month."
• A total of $34,801.29 is now in the AWC account; $32,328.75 is for the new shelter. To
date, a total of $2,130 has been donated to the shelter in Kristine Hunter's memory.
• Geanine Parks reported that $236.84 was collected from 12 cans at Mansfield businesses
in the month of September. This money is for maintenance and upkeep at the shelter.
• Now that all animals at the shelter are receiving volunteer veterinarian medical care,
invoices for medication dispensed were discussed. Because the Town pays for rabies and
distemper for the dogs and Dr. Sohn buys the serum for this purpose, a system needs to be
established to ensure this activity takes place while separating the billing from Dr. Trapani's
routine care.
Jeff reported that he was planning to euthanize two cats and two dogs because of lengthy
stays at the shelter. The AWC asked him to wait a few weeks until after the "Adopt -a -Pet" ad
ran in the Sun - Chronicle, and to allow the volunteers a final attempt to place these animals.
• There are two open seats on the AWC; one should be filled Iftwhen the Board of Selectmen
interview and approve Dick Davenport. Also, we need to set a time to re -elect officers.
Turning an unused room into a feline housing area complete with a quarantine area was
again discussed. With a favorable response from Jeff and Chief O'Neill, Chairman Miller will
contact the "Town Manager to solicit approval to occupy the vacant room. The committee also
discussed the "kitty condo" which was rejected by Chief O'Neill. A meeting at the shelter was
to be arranged with the Chief to discuss the issue.
• Since the Town By -Laws specifically mention rules for dogs with no mention of cats, the
AWC will study the issue for possible change. More cats than dogs are handled at the shelter
and they have traditionally been viewed as having the same status.
• Chairman Miller reported on a conversation he had with Leslie Pasch regarding Friends of
the Library. Because the AWC is not a non- profit organization and many people have
indicated a willingness to donate money to support the shelter if It were tax - deductible, the
AWC voted to proceed with establishing a non-profit entity similar to Friends of the Library.
Input from Ms. Pasch was extremely helpful and work will begin to initiate the project.
• In reference to a discussion at the March 6, 1996, Board of Selectmen meeting, Chairman
Miller will contact the Town Manager to identify budgetary needs that may be funded from
dog license fees.
• The AWC voted to fund two dog adoption ads in the Sun- Chronicle during the month of
October on a trial basis.
We set 10/2 496, at 7:30 p.m. (Town Hall) as the next Committee meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
//**A
Matt Miller
Chairman, Animal Welfare Committee
cc: Committee Members Asst. Town Manager, Chris Marion
Animal Control Officer, Arthur O'Neill Dr. Denise Trapani
Animal Humane Officer, Jeff Collins Volunteers
Town Clerk, Judith F. Scott