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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Welfare Minutes 7/25/1996August 1, 1996 TO: Board of Selectmen �0 -2 (:ii 0 3 RE: July 25, 1996, Animal Welfare Committee Meeting _1T d Members resent: Susan Talavera Vkristine Hunter VGeanine Parks att Miller Rita Parvey ✓Mike Lattari VAdah Brill -Cass The Animal Welfare Committee met on July 25 at the Town Hall. Five of the seven members were present to establish a quorum. Also attending the meeting were shelter volunteers Tara DeVeau, Connie DeVeau, Suzanne Berry, Dr. Denise Trapani, David Cass and Dick Davenport. The Committee reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and approved them. • A total of $33,242.61 is now in the AWC account. The spay /neuter account totals $400, the general funds account totals $1,751.86 and the new shelter fund account totals $31,090.75. • Animal activity at the shelter was discussed — 6 dogs came in on Saturday and several cats were found abandoned. Two dogs and two cats were euthanized on the previous Monday and several of the volunteers expressed concern about some of the animals chosen and why it was necessary. There was general agreement to step up promotional activities in the local newspapers to get more of the animals adopted out faster. • ADDITIONAL DOG SPACE IS NEEDED: Adding additional exterior fenced -in cages to help with the overflow of dogs was suggested (this was perviously discussed with Jeff Collins who indicated that he would follow up). The AWC strongly supports this move and voted to endorse it. The AWC is willing to help fund the fencing and acquisition of dog houses. • ADDITIONAL CAT SPACE IS NEEDED: The AWC voted to endorse cleaning up an adjoining room at the shelter and turning it into a feline housing area complete with a quarantine area. The existing small feline room will be used to house supplies and will double as an adoption office. The committee also voted to endorse the construction of a "kitty condo" which will house several cats in one large cage — this followed a report by Dr. Denise Trapani who believes that the cats will be more sociable and easier to adopt out because they will not have been penned up in the smaller cages for lengths of time. Local cat expert Val Beatty also sent a letter to the AWC supporting the construction of a condo. • All of the information about the dog and cat expansion suggestions were to be turned over to Chief O'Neill with a request for his support with these changes. As projected, the animal population in Mansfield continues to grow and, until a new shelter is constructed, the AWC and volunteers feel that slight modifications at the present shelter should be completed. • Dr. Trapani reported that the medical status of all of the animals at the shelter had been checked as of the previous Saturday and that the residents were all in good shape. • Dr. Trapani suggested that the adoption fees at the shelter are too low when compared with neighboring pet stores and other shelters. There was general agreement, but the concept of raising fees was tabled because of the large number of animals that have come in recently and the desire to get them adopted out. • Approximately 60 donation cans were made available by Geanine Parks and several of the volunteers promised to deliver them to local businesses. • The question was raised about non - profit status — i.e., are donations to the shelter tax deductible? The answer is "no" because this money is being donated to the Town. The AWC will look into forming a "Friends of the Shelter" organization that has non - profit status and can collect money for a new shelter and other support activities. • The AWC voted to support a Family Pet Day that Connie DeVeau wishes to sponsor. The Mansfield Women of Today indicated that they were dropping the event because of a lack of insurance. Connie suggested a late- September event that offers more activities than previous events — dog washes, groomers, volunteer Vet advice, dog training advice, contests, etc. Memorial Park was suggested as an alternate site to the South Common. • The AWC voted to support an initiative coming from Easton that will include a regional grant application to study animal control services. This grant will fund a regional study of animal control in Mansfield, Easton, Norton and Wrentham, and will help analyze the current animal control issues in the four towns. Included in the discussion is the possibility of developing a regional shelter. The initiative is being handled by Assistant Town Manager Chris Marion. We set Thursday, August 22, 1996, at 7:30 p.m. (Town Hall) as the next Committee meeting Respectfully submitted, / i0jitr Matt Miller Chairman, Animal Welfare Committee cc: Committee Members Animal Control Officer, Arthur O'Neill Animal Humane Officer, Jeff Collins Town Clerk, Judith F. Scott Asst. Town Manager, Chris Marion Dr. Denise Trapani Volunteers