DASAB Minutes 09/30/2020September 30, 2020
MINUTES OF TI{E MEETING OF COLLIER COUNTY
DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD
Naples, Florida, September 30, 2020
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Domestic Animal
Services Advisory Board in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGLILAR SESSION at the
BCC Boardroom, 3'd Floor, W. Harmon Turner Building, Collier County
CFIAIRMAN: Vacant
VICE CHAIRMAN: Jim Rich
SECRETARY: Mary Baker (Excused)
Sarah Baeckler-Davis
Marjorie Bloom
Dr. Michael Gordon
Cpl. James A. Spartz
ALSO PRESENT: Darcy Andrade, Director, DAS
Kyra Lynch, Shelter Operations manager, DAS
Kellie Carroll, Administrative Assistant, DAS
Steve Camell, Public Services Department Head
I. Call to Order
Vice Chair Jim Rich called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
il. Attendance
A quomm was established.
III. Approval of Agenda
Jim Rich fiade a motion to apprwe the agenda, there was a second and the motion
carried 5-0.
IV. Approval of Minutes
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Govemment Center, Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
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Packet Pg. 66 Attachment: Animal Services Meeting Minutes - September 30, 2020 (signed) (14309 : Animal Services Advisory Board - November 17, 2020)
September 30, 2020
V. Public Comments
Susie Mehas stated that she does not agree with the Community Cat program at DAS.
Jim Rich asked that when people make public comments, they address the Board as the
meeting is between the Animal Services Advisory Board and the public.
Megan Sorbara stated that she is not in favor of the Commrmity Cat program.
Kathy Rheaume spoke in favor of DAS and advised that she trusts DAS to make
decisions that are based on the best interest of the animals.
Michele Antonia discussed an abandoned cat colony and advised thal she needs
assistance with the cats in Immokalee. She do€s not believe that cats should be retumed
there.
Aris Montalvo said that she wants to be the voice for the cats in Immokalee and that
she feeds several colonies there because no one else will. Ms. Montalvo described a
situation where a hungry cat approached a man at a grill looking for food. The man
kicked the cat several times and wandered into the road where it died.
Tom Kepp and Kelly Hylend passed on making public comments.
VI. Director's Report
Darcy Andrade advised the Board that all operations that were affected by COVID
have resumed. DAS is still urging people to purchase licenses online and there is no
longer a requirement for pre-approval for people who want to come to the facility to
adopt. Ms. Andrade discussed the 24-hour hold on found pets and advised that during
the time period of April 27s, 2020 through August 28, 2020 there were 106 animals
that were held by the finder. Of those 106 animals, 77 were reunited with their owner
before coming to the shelter and that 29 were picked up by DAS.
Sarah Baeckler-Davis asked what this hold does for the required stray hold and was
advised by Ms. Andrade that the stray hold begins when the animal is impounded at
DAS.
Darcy advised the Board that the Trustees have not retumed to DAS and that their
labor is equivalent to eight (8) part-time employees. DAS has brought on thee (3) part
time temporary employees.
Dr. Gordon asked if these temporary employees will help in the clinic and was advised
that they cannot because they me not able to perfonn work that is outside oftheirjob
title.
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Marjoric Bloom made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 21 , 2020 meeting,
there was a second and the motion passed, 5-0.
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Packet Pg. 67 Attachment: Animal Services Meeting Minutes - September 30, 2020 (signed) (14309 : Animal Services Advisory Board - November 17, 2020)
September 30, 2020
Ms. Andrade discussed in-house surgery and advised that DAS is still not able to
provide spay/neuter services to the public, but they have resumed providing this service
to the rescue groups. She also told the Board that the first vaccine clinic since COVID
was held at DAS on this date.
Jim Rich asked how often the clinics will be held and was informed that they will be
held monthly but the day of the week will vary.
Ms. Andrade told the Board that the Standards of Care Workshop will be held on
Monday, October 3, 2020 in the BCC Chambers with any overflow being
accommodated in the Risk Management Conference Room.
Darcy also informed the Board that DAS has started an email list so that anyone who is
interested can receive DAS updates, that DAS will soon be able to accept online
donations and that a part-tim€ Marketing Coordinator has been hired.
Ms. Andrade stated that an x-ray machine has been donated by a local Chiropractor
who is retiring and that the frrnds that were donated to DAS for the machine will be
used to build the room that is required to hold and use it.
Sarah Baeckler-Davis asked if DAS is back to regular capacity after the loss ofthe
Trustees caused DAS to put many animals into foster homes and was advised that DAS
is back to normal operations.
VIL New Business
A. Community Cats
Jim Rich read prepared remarks regarding the Community Cat program at DAS.
Jim Rich mdde d motion to request that DAS organize a workshop with all cat rescue
groups, there was a second and the motion passed 5-0.
Dr. Gordon stated that it is a good issue to discuss. He also asked about the October
workshop and was advised by Steve Carnell that it is for the Standards of Care
ordinance.
Darcy Andrade stated that DAS needs to be contacted when cat issues occur, and that
Michele does not need to take injured cats to the sanctuary. DAS will not put these
types of cats back out in the communiq,. She also advised that she was not giving a
presentation, but that she did put some educational materials into the agenda packet.
Ms. Andrade informed the Board that DAS is now following all recommendations
from the first and second shelter assessments.
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Jim Rich discussed the possibility of DAS hiring someone to be the point person for
the Community Cat program and offered a $5000.00 donation from For the Love of
Cats to help with the costs.
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Packet Pg. 68 Attachment: Animal Services Meeting Minutes - September 30, 2020 (signed) (14309 : Animal Services Advisory Board - November 17, 2020)
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September 30, 2020
Sarah Baeckler-Davis stated that Dr. Robinson, Shelter Veterinarian, vets these
cats for medical issues and asked if there are any other criteria Kyra Lynch
explained that each cat is evaluated individually based on temperament, behavior and
having a known location to retum to.
B. Humane society Naples Presentation
Darcy Andrade made introductory remarks for the HSN presentation.
Sarah Baeckler-Davis stated that there is a lot ofoverlap between the two
organizations and that maybe HSN and DAS can diwy up programs. She discussed
HSN's various locations and the purposes of each. She mentioned that their behavior
staff now has three members and that HSN donated over $100,000 in free veterinary
care to the public. The goal of HSN is to keep animals in the home. She stated that
the mobile veterinary clinic was put on hold due to COVID. Ms Baeckler-Davis
talked about Operation Rescue, which offers liee boarding to animals whose owners
are in crisis. She advised the Board that their intake is focused on owner surrenders
and animals in Florida but that they do still import animals from other locations,
focusing on areas with live release rates below 4602.
YI[. Old Business
Darcy Andrade stated that Tom Kepp had recommended that DAS take unpaid
citations to the Special Magistrate and DAS has done that. DAS is now getting court
orders and are able to lien property. Ms Ardrade stated that she anticipales being
caught up by March.
Dr. Gordon inquired on the status of the HSN,DAS Workgroup meeting and was
advised that it is scheduled for October 1, 2020.
Advisory Board Member Comments
Dr. Gordon told the Board that he had witnessed a DAS Red Carpet moment and that it
was the best thing he had seen.
Marjorie Bloom mentioned Scoots, an injured cat at DAS that was posted on Facebook
and shown on t}le local news.
Sarah Baeckler -Davis thanked everyone for coming out and stated that we can and
would do better. She also mentioned that it was hard to determine the best way to share
resources.
JamesSpartzstatedthathewasverydisturbedbythestoryArisMontalvotoldduring
public co'mments. He stressed that these types of incidents need to be reported. He
advised that every call to the Sheriffs Offiie is recorded and that the public can also call
to frnd out if it was reported. He said it sounded as though someone stood by and
*urcn"atr'"incidentoccurwithoutdoinganythingaboutit.Hestatedthatpeopleneedto
"ai, i.p"n *o t" available to testi! if needed. Mr. Spartz also stated that he was very
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A. Citation Collection Update
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Packet Pg. 69 Attachment: Animal Services Meeting Minutes - September 30, 2020 (signed) (14309 : Animal Services Advisory Board - November 17, 2020)
September 30, 2020
impressed with the 700% rate of animals that were reunited with their owners while being
held for 24 with the finders.
Jim Rich asked why Public Comments are done at the beginning of the meeting and was
advised by Darcy Andrade it is so that the public has an opportunity to share their
opidons and insights with the Board before the Board discusses and votes on any ofthe
issues instead ofhaving Public Comment after the Board has already voted.
Iim Rich made a motion to adjourn, there was a second and the motion passed 5-0.
The next regularly scheduled Advisory Board Meeting will be on Tu6day, November
17, 2020 at 6:fi) p.m. in the Domertic Animel Training Room, Davis Blvd., Naples,
Florida.
There being no frrrther business for the good ofthe County, the meeting was concluded
at 7:45 p.m.
COLLIERCOUNTYDO CES
Vice Chair Rich
These minutes approved by Board,/Committee on ll^17 '7- as presenteA /or as
amended
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Packet Pg. 70 Attachment: Animal Services Meeting Minutes - September 30, 2020 (signed) (14309 : Animal Services Advisory Board - November 17, 2020)