HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ANSAB_05.13.2021City of Georgetown Animal Shelter Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2021
The Animal Shelter Advisory Board met virtually Thursday, May 13, 2021.
Regular Session — To begin no earlier than 6:00 pm.
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene at Executive Session for any purpose authorized
by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551).
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you
require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable
assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's
Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 81n
Street for additional information; TTY uses route through Relay Texas at 711.
Members Present: Ned Atkins, Louise Epstein, William Gregory, Laura Klein Plunkett, Melissa Sheldon, Sa-
rah Vigil
Members Absent: None
Staff present: Jack Daly was present
Guest present: Diane Murray, Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter (FOGAS)
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Melissa Sheldon
1. Discussion on how this virtual conference will be conducted, to include options for public comments
and how the public may address the Commission — April Haughey (Board Liaison)
a. April detailed the ways the public can engage with the meeting, told members that roll call votes
would be conducted, and instructed members to "raise their hand" to speak and to identify them-
selves first.
2. Presentation on Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter — Diane Murray, President of FOGAS
a. Diane Murray explained the history and mission of FOGAS and their fundraising initiatives and suc-
cesses. She encouraged all board members to visit their revamped website and see the membership
options.
b. FOGAS has committed to partially fund the part-time veterinarian position and is purchasing surgi-
cal equipment for the shelter's surgery suite.
3. Presentation of Animal Services Statistics for April, 2021 — April Haughey, Animal Services Manager
(Board Liaison)
a. 89 intakes in April, which is a traditionally slower month. Intakes included 9 puppies and 14 kittens.
14 surrenders in the first 13 days of May and 3 open kennels at the start of the day indicate May will
probably be a busier month, consistent with previous years.
b. 96.9% LRR, with one cat euthanized for illness and one for injury, and 2 dogs for severe behavior
issues.
c. LOS for cats has increased due to the number of ferals, which are harder to place.
d. License compliance was 89.2%; online licensing continues to be successful. License violations are
35% of the total violations.
e. The shelter goal is to expand social media followers by 1 % per month and increase the engagement
rate as calculated by the number of engagements/# viewers of a post. April's rate was 11 %.
4. Presentation of new partnership with Emancipet — April Haughey, Animal Services Manager (Board
Liaison)
a. A new partnership with Emancipet will allow the ACOs in the field to hand out spay/neuter, rabies
and microchip vouchers for Emancipet services on an as -needed basis. The initial quantity will be
36 and may be increased if funding and demand permit.
a. With the cooperation of Parks and Rec, Emancipet will be utilizing the parking area adjacent to the
shelter for regular mobile clinic visits to the community, to provide low-cost wellness and steriliza-
tion services.
6. Presentation of current staffing updates — April Haughey, Animal Services Manager (Board Liaison)
a. The new part-time veterinarian has an expected start date of June 7.
b. The primary ACO candidate has an official offer pending. The second candidate has several more
hiring steps to complete prior to an official offer.
c. The animal shelter technician positions are not yet filled. There is a shortage of qualified applicants
industry -wide. The search continues.
d. The part-time office person resigned to take a full-time job; there are 14 candidates for this position
already.
7. Public wishing to address the board — Melissa Sheldon, Board Chair
a. No one signed up to address the board.
8. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from April, 2021 Melissa Sheldon, Board
Chair
a. Board members signified that they had read the minutes and had no corrections. Motion to approve
the minutes as presented, Bill Gregory. Seconded by Ned Atkins. Motion passed unanimously.
With no further business or discussion, Louise Epstein made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Bill
Gregory, and approved by all.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M.
Secretary,
iaison31'April Haughey \ '�