HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ANSAB_11.17.2005Minutes of the Meeting of the
Animal Shelter Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Animal Shelter Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , November 17,
2005.
Members Present:
Shawn Gunnin, Chair, Patty Eason, Lana Cagle, Debbie Frase, Dawn Hitt-Wilken, Ken Finn, Erica Haley
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Jackie Carey
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair, Shawn Gunnin.
1. Citizen comments – none.
2. Introduction of new Advisory Board member – Debbie Frase.
3. New Business: Discussion and possible action about new retail pet stores –
Guest speaker Dave Frase, vice president of Georgetown Animal Outreach, presented some information
about the franchised corporation Petland, noting that a Petland store would be opening at Wolf Ranch in
Georgetown in early December. GAO has some concerns, based on Petland’s corporate policy of not
altering the pets it sells and on Petland’s use of the Hunte Corporation as a large-scale provider of
animals to its stores.
Erica Haley said that she had agreed to do the vet checks for the animals at the new Petland store.
There was discussion about the best course of action for GAO in its desire to share information with the
City Council, as well as discussion about what stance the Advisory Board might take. It was suggested
that GAO members meet personally with the local franchise owner to clarify positions and to see if there
are ways they can work together.
Shawn Gunnin pointed out that Georgetown code of ordinances specifies that pet stores (and other
entities selling pets) are required to get a commercial permit from Animal Services and that Animal
Services is responsible for making sure that the permit holder follows the conditions of the permit.
Gunnin moved that the Advisory Board recommend to City Council that it consider the issue of selling
unaltered pets in Georgetown retail establishments and action that can be taken to address these issues.
Lana Cagle seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
4. October 2005 minutes –
Motion by Patty Eason to accept the minutes as presented. Second, Ken Finn. Motion passed
unanimously.
5. Report from Shelter Director –
Ken Finn presented an annual report for the Shelter. The euthanasia rate has remained steady for the
past three years, as have the percentages of animals adopted and returned to owners. (Numbers have
increased in all categories but percentages of total have stayed about the same.) The number of animals
being transferred to pet rescue groups increased dramatically, from 14 in 2003-04 to 84 in 2004-05,
largely to the effort of a Shelter/GAO volunteer. The move into the new Animal Shelter was the biggest
event of the year and allowed staff and volunteers to increase the quality of care.
6. Old Business: Discussion and possible action about long and short-term goals for the Animal
Shelter.
Finn reported that he was moving forward with inviting a facilitator to a future Board meeting to assist in
the Board in strategic planning. The facilitator may be scheduled for the December Board meeting; if so,
members should expect to have a two-hour meeting, with additional fine-tuning of a strategic plan to take
place at future meetings.
The Board discussed topics and authors for the recently initiated monthly columns in the Williamson Sun.
Finn agreed to submit the next column, on the timely topics of “Pets as Gifts” and “Holiday Hazards.”
Finn moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m