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091522 Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting 6:00 p.m., September 15, 2022 The Randolph County Animal Services Advisory Board met in regular session on September 15, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Randolph County Office Building Meeting Room A, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioner David Allen, Cynthia Grantham, Lisa Sparks, J.R. Beard, Jennifer Layton, Renee Bryant, and Nathan Small were in attendance. Jason Balder, Lou Wilson, James Moore, and Commissioner Darrell Frye were absent. Also present were Ex-Officio member County Manager Hal Johnson, Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, and Animal Services Director Jonathan Moody. Other members of Animal Services were present as well. The Veterinarian seat is vacant at this time. Call to Order and Opening Comments Commissioner David Allen called the meeting to order and welcomed the Board members. Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack swore in new Board members Jennifer Layton, Renee Bryant, and Nathan Small. Commissioner Allen welcomed and thanked the new Board members for their service. Public Comments Commissioner Allen opened the floor for public comment and closed it after no one wished to speak. Approval of Minutes On motion of Beard, seconded by Grantham, the Board voted 7-0 to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2022 meeting. Operational Updates Jonathan Moody, Animal Services Director, gave an update on a recent seizure of 55 animals in an abuse/neglect case. Animal Services is still in the court process with the owner. The owner has surrendered 23 animals, all of which have been placed with rescue groups. The animals are doing well and some are still under veterinary care for treatment of various issues. There were two kittens who unable to be saved. Mr. Moody recently visited Guilford County and Johnston County in order to collaborate with Animal Services Staff on procedures that may be beneficial to Randolph County. Currently, the Shelter is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The staff are unable to clean the Shelter in a timely manner due to interaction with the public. Staff are rushing to try and get the Shelter clean so it can open to the public at 9:00 a.m. The State only requires the Shelter to be open three days a week, for four hours each day. The Randolph County Animal Shelter has operating hours beyond those stipulations, and Draft copy subject to change 9/15/22 shortening the visitation hours would still allow the Shelter to offer more hours than required by the State. Mr. Moody suggested opening the Shelter at 11:00 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in order to allow the staff more time for cleaning and preparation work before the Shelter opens each morning. The Shelter would still be closed on the first and third Wednesday of every month, and the Adopt and Play program would still occur the first Saturday of every month. Another thing Mr. Moody learned from visiting from the other counties is how beneficial having more meetings with the staff can be. This would allow all staff members Mr. Johnson noted that it would be a safety issue for citizens to be in the kennel area during cleaning time. Commissioner Allen said something to consider is public perception regarding shortening the hours that the Animal Shelter is open. People would likely appreciate the Shelter staying open slightly later, which would better accommodate working citizens. Mr. Moody agreed and said opening the Shelter later would allow for staggered shifts so that the closing time could be pushed back. Mr. Moody said he plans to visit the Rockingham County Animal Shelter soon. when staff have to move cleaning supplies every time a citizen wants to visit the kennel area, which delays finishing cleaning the Shelter. Ms. Grantham said this model makes sense, and the Shelter may only need a couple days a week to stay open later. Mr. Moody said perception is a concern. Extending the hours may be beneficial. The biggest issue is getting the Shelter clean. Commissioner Allen said adjusting the hours is more palatable than cutting hours. Ms. Layton said the Health Department is required to do an annual survey; it may be a good option to poll the public to allow them to share opinions. Mr. Beard suggested adjusting the hours immediately. Mr. Small said he doubts there will be negative feedback for opening later in the day, because many people want the Shelter to be open later. Ms. Sparks asked how the Shelter will handle afternoon cleaning. Mr. Moody said the afternoon cleaning is not nearly as extensive as the morning cleaning. Time would be designated for cleaning time. Right now, the Shelter is operating by appointment-only for adoptions which allows for afternoon cleaning time. Ms. Sparks said if the public recognized the Shelter may be closed to the public, but staff are still working (cleaning, answering phones, et cetera), they would be more receptive. Mr. Small asked how long the afternoon cleaning takes. Mr. Moody said roughly an hour and a half and it is completed before 4:00 p.m. Draft copy subject to change 9/15/22 Mr. Johnson said it appears that the Board supports this process and needs to see how the process will be implemented. Mr. Moody said he will work on policy updates in order to present amended hours to the Board. Ms. Sparks asked if the Shelter would need to present amended cleaning times to the State. Mr. Moody said he will reach out to the State for clarification. Ms. Bryant said other shelters have one dog per kennel, while Randolph County may have up to four. The public may be concerned with this, so effort should be made to show the public that the Shelter is working for the welfare of the animals since intakes have increased. Mr. Moody said he will come back to the Board in the future with a plan for updated operating hours and related procedures. Mr. Moody said the Shelter has partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to work on preventing cats from coming into the euthanasia rate is high due to the high intake numbers of feral cats. Staff members recently received training from John Graves, Best Friends Animal Society East Region Strategist, on deterrent strategies and how to advise people to deal with stray cats. Completing this training allowed the Shelter to receive a $1500.00 grant to get deterrents from Best Friends Animal Society. The Shelter has received the deterrents and staff are ready to get them out in the public. This will help cease unnecessary trapping. Currently, most of the intakes are trapped feral cats. Shelter staff are working to start programs in the County to decrease the number of feral cat intakes. Ms. Grantham asked for examples of deterrents. Mr. Moody said there are different motion triggered apparatuses that lightly spray water, another that has lights and sounds, and others that are non-lethal, but trigger the cat to leave the area. community. Ms. Sparks said she supports not bringing feral cats into the Shelter. There is a huge overpopulation of feral cats in Randolph County. In the past seven days, there were 102 phone calls regarding cats and kittens to Happy Hills Animal Foundation. Ms. Sparks asked where the cats would go who are affected by deterrents. Mr. Moody said this is where the TNR team would respond and plan to TNR the cat colony. Mr. Beard asked how other counties remove feral cats. Mr. Moody said Guilford County does not trap. exterminated if there is shelter and a food source. Mr. Beard said there needs to be community education regarding feral cats. Mr. Moody said there is a grant that would support educational outreach; staff are in the process of submitted the grant. Mr. Beard said the newspaper and social media may be avenues for education. Ms. Grantham suggested partnering with Asheboro Police Department. regards to deterring and trapping. Draft copy subject to change 9/15/22 Ms. Bryant said 63 cats were treated by a vet at a cost of approximately $3,000.00 by the Randolph County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Mr. Moody said things need to change in order for euthanasia rates to drop. ogram to adopt out feral cats to be mousers. Mr. Moody said there has been talk of starting a similar program. Guilford County staff will be visiting the Randolph County Shelter soon to mentor and network. Adopt and Play Saturdays begin October 1st. There is an upcoming event partnership with Happy Hills Animal Foundation. The Shelter will be participating in other upcoming events such as Dog Fest and Mutt Strut, among others. There may also be a Halloween event in Creekside Park in Archdale. Mr. Moody will be attending a rabies conference in October. Departmental Updates Mr. Moody gave an overview of year to date calls to Animal Services from 2021 to 2022, including statistics regarding reclaim rates, intake, euthanasia rates, and more for both dogs and cats. The cat euthanasia rate is high. The Shelter has been busy but staff is dedicated to getting the work done. Mr. Moody pointed out his staff in attendance. Board Discussion Ms. Grantham asked the new Board members to introduce themselves and suggested current Board members do the same. Each member took turns briefly describing their connection to the animal community and other relevant information to their board service. Commissioner Allen said the Board of County Commissioners has shown their commitment to the Animal Services Advisory Board by appointing two Commissioner representatives. Mr. Johnson said the Animal Services Advisory Board is new and the representation on the Board is invaluable to the department. He appreciates all the work of Animal Services staff and their attendance at meetings. Mr. Johnson recognized absent member Jason Balder for his work in training Animal Services staff. Recently, Mr. Johnson and Commissioners Frye and Allen were meeting with Zoo Director Pat Simmons. They discussed the incredible opportunity of having Mr. Balder work with Animal Services staff. They also discussed the challenge of finding a veterinarian to assist Animal Services. Ms. Simmons said she supports Mr. Balder training Animal Services staff, and suggested the possibility of the Zoo veterinarians being able to provide assistance to the Animal Services department. Commissioner Allen said the veterinarian seat on the Board is one that has never been filled. It would be great if a Zoo veterinarian could fill this seat. Draft copy subject to change 9/15/22 Mr alternate so that someone would always be present at meetings. Adjournment Commissioner Allen thanked Board members and Animal Services staff for their work. At 6:53 p.m. on motion of Mr. Beard, seconded by Ms. Bryant, the Board voted 7-0 to adjourn. Draft copy subject to change 9/15/22