HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ANSAB_05.12.2022City of Georgetown Animal Shelter Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes May 12, 2022
The Animal Shelter Advisory Board met in person Thursday, May 12, 2022.
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, Laura Klein Plunkett, Amanda Parr, Melissa Sheldon
Members Via Zoom: Louise Epstein, Bill Gregory
Absent: Chad Harris, April Haughey
City Staff Present: Jack Daly
Meeting called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Amanda Parr
I. Discuss dates and times for future Animal Shelter Advisory Board Meetings — Amanda Parr, Board
Chair
a. City Council reviewed all boards and commissions. Council recommended quarterly meetings for
the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, to take place on the second Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM.
Thus, the next board meeting will be Thursday, July 14, followed by meetings in October and
January.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from March 2022— Amanda Parr, Board Chair
a. The board had no corrections or addenda to the minutes as presented. Motion to approve the
minutes, Louise Epstein; seconded by Ned Atkins. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Presentation of Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter's participation in Earth Day Recycling
Event and the Red Poppy Festival — Melissa Sheldon, Board Member
a. FOGAS received $1,911 in public donations at the Earth Day event, plus donated goods.
b. The Red Poppy Festival generated $1,665 in donations, and interest from potential new shelter
volunteers.
4. Presentation of Animal Services statistics for April 2022 — Melissa Sheldon, Board Member
a. The LRR for April was 96.6% reflecting 5 euthanasias.
b. LOS increased for both cats and dogs.
C. 351 ACO calls, up 73 from last year.
d. Social media management platform has been changed from HootSuite to Sprout Social, which pro-
vides more robust analytics and reporting.
5. Discussion on mixed breed labeling of dogs — Melissa Sheldon, Board Member
a. Melissa explained the shelter will no longer market dogs based on breed resemblance. Shelter best
practices now include not identifying dogs by breed, since physical appearance is not determinative
of the breed of a shelter dog. Arbitrary breed labeling can create false assumptions about a dog's
potential fit for an adoptive home. Shelter staff will instead focus on a dog's personality and
behavior to market them appropriately, educate potential adopters, and make placement decisions.
b. Louise expressed concerns about the possibility of Petfinder's search functions overlooking
otherwise appropriate dogs without a breed label. Melissa said staff did not feel the broad search
functions of online tools would exclude dogs without breed labels, but staff will monitor statistics
and remain alert for potential issues resulting from the change.
6. Update to ordinance presentation — Jack Daly, Assistant Director of Public Works
a. The ordinances are scheduled for presentation at the June 14th Council Workshop.
b. Population growth requires expansion of shelter facilities at significant expense. Relocation of the
Parks administrative offices would allow future expansion into that area. A possible partnering with
WCRAS is also on the table for discussion.
7. With no further business or discussion, Ned Atkins made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by
Laura Klein Plunkett, and approved by all.
Meeting adjourned 6:55 P.M.
Chair, Amanda Parr