Agenda 12/14/2021 Item #11D (Report on collboration between the County & the Humane Society of Naples)11.D
12/14/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to direct staff to evaluate and bring back a report on a potential animal
services collaboration between the County and the Humane Society of Naples. (Dan
Rodriguez, Public Services Department Head)
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best methods for serving the needs of the animal population in
Collier County.
CONSIDERATIONS: The County has been approached by the Humane Society of Naples to
explore whether certain animal related services and functions currently performed by the
County's Domestic Animal Services Division may be better served by the Humane Society,
and/or whether there may be benefit to establishing cooperative partnership arrangements
between the organizations.
The Humane Society provided a letter to the Board of County Commissioners requesting this
evaluation occur. Some of the areas for evaluation may be:
• Animal care and adoptions
• Veterinary care
• Animal control and enforcement
If this item is approved, staff would coordinate with the Humane Society and prepare an
evaluation report for the Board's future consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact with this action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises
no issues at this time, and requires majority vote for approval. Legal issues will be raised, if
necessary, based on the staff report. -JAK
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This action is consistent with the Growth
Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: To direct staff to evaluate and bring back a report on potential animal
services collaboration options with the Humane Society of Naples.
Prepared By: Kim Grant, Director, Operations and Veterans Services Division, Public Services
Department
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Davies letter to Saunders (PDF)
2. HSN memo for BOCC (PDF)
3. DAS Presentation 12-14-21 kg (PPTX)
Packet Pg. 569
12/ 14/2021
Packet Pg. 570
11.D
12/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.D
Doe ID: 20732
Item Summary: *** This Item to be heard at 11:30am *** Recommendation to direct staff to
evaluate and bring back a report on a potential animal services collaboration between the County and the
Humane Society of Naples. (Dan Rodriguez, Public Services Department Head)
Meeting Date: 12/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager — Board of County Commissioners
Name: MaryJo Brock
12/01/2021 10:32 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Department Head — Public Services Department
Name: Dan Rodriguez
12/01/2021 10:32 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Public Services Department
Dan Rodriguez
Additional Reviewer
Office of Management and Budget
Debra Windsor
Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
County Attorney's Office
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
Growth Management Operations Support
Christopher Johnson
County Manager's Office
Mark Isackson
Level 4 County Manager Review
Board of County Commissioners
Geoffrey Willig
Meeting Pending
Completed
12/01/2021 11:30 AM
Completed
12/01/2021 12:49 PM
Completed
12/01/2021 1:41 PM
Additional Reviewer Completed
Completed
12/08/2021 12:26 PM
12/14/2021 9:00 AM
Packet Pg. 571
11.D.1
November 22, 2021
Commissioner Burt Saunders
3299 Tamiami Trl. E. Suite 202
Naples, FL 3411
Honorable Commissioner Saunders,
Thank you for meeting with Humane Society Naples Executive Director Sarah Baeckler
Davis and me recently regarding a partnership between the County and Humane Society,
Naples. We see potential for a very productive public -private partnership and appreciate
your engagement on this topic. We also thank you for your willingness to put it forth as
an agenda item on December 14"', 2021
To reaffirm on behalf of the entire Board of Directors of Humane Society Naples, we
would like to formally enter discussions with the BOCC and Collier County staff to
explore the concept of an arrangement for HSN to perform some or all of the animal
welfare duties currently undertaken by your Domestic Animal Services operation. Our
board is unanimous in this matter.
We are offering to provide some or all of the following services while helping the county
control future cost increases:
• Animal care and adoptions
• Veterinary care
• Animal control and enforcement
Humane Society Naples is uniquely qualified to provide high quality care and
community services for Collier County, because we do this work already. As a
professional animal welfare organization with an annual operating budget of more than
$S million, we employ a staff of over So (including five veterinarians) and provide care
for thousands of animals each year. We believe leveraging our resources and fundraising
capabilities with facilities and funding from the County will create efficiencies and
elevate the standard and level of care beyond what DAS provides currently.
I have directed Ms. Baeckler Davis to prepare an overview to be presented to you and
your colleagues on December 14, but we welcome the opportunity to answer any
questions you may have in the interim.
Warm regards,
Shanna Davies
President, Board of Directors
Humane Society Naples
37o Airport -Pulling Road North } Naples, FL 34104 Packet Pg. 572
(239) 643-1555 I HSNaples.org
11.D.2
HUMANE SOCIETY
Memo
To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Sarah Baeckler Davis, Executive Director & Sharma Davies, Board President
Date: November 29, 2021
Re: Exploration of Partnership Opportunities
Overview
With the encouragement of several Commissioners and members of the senior
leadership staff of Collier County, Humane Society Naples would like to explore a
public -private partnership with county government to provide animal services to the
County on a contract basis. As a private organization with an $8 million budget funded
solely through donations and fees for service, over $23 million in assets including more
than $11 million in our endowment, HSN is uniquely positioned and qualified to provide
a high standard of care to the County while keeping costs controlled. HSN has a
professional staff of 8o who stand ready to partner with the County.
Humane Society Naples (HSN) was founded in 196o by a group of dedicated animal
loving volunteers seeking to provide an alternative pathway for homeless and stray
animals in Collier County. From those humble roots, HSN has grown into a large
nonprofit agency with three locations, adopting out over 11o,000 animals and serving
hundreds of thousands more.
HSN can offer the County:
• Capping costs at FY 2022 rates for two years, assuming current intake trends
• Savings of between $300,000 and $500,000 per year plus an additional $1.2
million annually in services provided by HSN, funded by private resources
• Best -in -class quality of care both to shelter residents and companion animals in
the community
• Improved access to services and wider range of services throughout the county
• Behavioral training and rehabilitation services for dogs and cats
• Lower euthanasia rate
• A top-flight professional team of fundraisers and marketing professionals
• Economies of scale and reduction of duplication of services within a small radius
Packet Pg. 573
11.D.2
Key takeaways:
• HSN is already providing significant services at low or no cost to residents of
Collier County
• HSN is already planning to expand adoption and service centers throughout the
county
• HSN has low euthanasia rates
• HSN provides low and no cost veterinary care to the public in several ways
• HSN has taken the majority of the County's most complicated medical and
behavioral cases
• HSN's services have helped keep animals out of the county's shelter
Collier County's Domestic Animal Services — Functions and Budget
For the purpose of this discussion, we have divided Collier County's Domestic Animal
Services (DAS) functions into two main areas:
• Animal care and adoptions
o Includes stray holds, reunions with owners, return to field services,
adoption services, and veterinary care for animals in the shelter for any
reason
• Enforcement
o Includes licensing, containment and impoundment of animals at large,
response to complaints and issuance of citations for violations of the
County's animal ordinances, and animal cruelty investigations under state
law
The Collier County FY 2022 budget for these various animal services totals $4,381,000.
This represents a 5 % increase from the prior year's approved budget and a 17% increase
over four years, with an average of 4% per year. From the analysis available to HSN,
when removing capital expenditures and reserves', the County allocates spending in
roughly the following ways:
Operating expenses I Personal services budget Total
Care $ 499,385.92
$
956,101.41
$
1,455,487.32
Admin $ 196,187
$
375,611.27
$
571,798.59
Enforcement $ 428,045.07
$
819,515.49
$
1,247,560.56
Vet $ 142,681.69
$
273,171.83
$
415,853.52
Total $ 1,266,300
$
2,424,400.00
$
3,690,700.00
1$690,000 is allocated to reserves and not included in this analysis but HSN would
propose the county keep this
amount in reserves for unexpected costs
in implementing this partnership and future capital improvements to
county -owned resources.
2
Packet Pg. 574
11.D.2
Pathways for a partnership between HSN and Collier County
Staff and Commissioners have indicated interest in two possible approaches to a
partnership — one in which HSN takes over animal care services but enforcement
functions stay with the County, and the other in which HSN takes over all functions,
including enforcement. HSN is amenable to either path or some hybrid in which HSN
starts with animal care and after a certain period, takes over enforcement as well.
Animal Care and Adoptions Functions
After a transition period (see below) and assuming current trends in intake continue,2
HSN can provide all animal care and adoptions services currently being offered at the
cost of $2,157,240 per year, capped for two years, proving a higher quality of care plus
added wraparound services at no cost to the County. From the budget breakdown above,
this includes all veterinary care, all animal care and half of current administrative costs.
Under this relationship, HSN would offer employment (although possibly in new
capacities) to all current DAS employees other than the 12 FTEs allocated to
enforcement.3 Should the County wish to retain any current DAS employees for other
County departments, HSN would make replacement hires.
HSN would fulfill this contract in part by managing and operating the County's existing
and any future buildings, however HSN could also provide services from HSN-owned
buildings. Special consideration would need to be given to the location of enforcement
staff and functions under this type of partnership.
Enforcement Functions
HSN can provide all animal enforcement services for the County for an additional
$1,247,56o per year, capped for two years, again assuming current trends in intake
continue4.
Under this relationship, HSN would provide all animal services (both animal care and
enforcement) for the County. HSN would offer employment (although possibly in new
z HSN would propose a term with something like +/- 10% intake included in the base contract amount without the
need for further cost adjustments.
3 Transfer of retirement and pension accounts would require special consideration.
4 There are many models in Florida and throughout the United States in which a humane society provides all
animal services to a county agency, including enforcement of state statutes and county animal ordinances. Flagler
Humane Society is one of these examples in Florida, and Kansas City and San Diego both provide robust national
examples of a humane agency contracting with a city or county agency to provide for all animal control (care and
enforcement) functions. Many states, including Florida, empower humane societies with enforcement authority
for state animal cruelty statutes (see https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-humane-society-enforcement-
op wers; FL statute 828.03). HSN can put together a case study on this topic if more information is needed.
Packet Pg. 575
11.D.2
capacities) to all current DAS employees (35.5 FTEs).5 Should the County wish to retain
any current DAS employees for other County departments, HSN would make
replacement hires.
Savings to the County
When combined, the above contracts would save the county approximately $286,000
per year, or 1/2 of its DAS administrative budget, due to the strength and nature of
HSN's existing administrative structure. It would also put a two year cap on costs,
eliminating the prior trend of increased spending on animal services, saving the county
up to an additional $253,00o annually.6
In addition to these hard cost savings, the County would be receiving added wraparound
services and additional adoption opportunities from HSN that amount to at least $1.2
million in value, provided at no additional cost to the County.
Wraparound Services
HSN is already providing significant animal services to residents of Collier County. It
operates its behavioral rehabilitation program at its Oaks Campus at a cost of around
$200,000 per year, its mobile veterinary clinic at a cost of around $250,000, its crisis
boarding program at a cost of $125,000 per year and gives away over $11o,000 annually
in free or reduced cost veterinary care in its bricks and mortar clinic. HSN also operates
a pet food pantry and provides pet food to existing pantries when possible.
HSN is committed to expanding these services to more of the county with funding from
private sources. For example, HSN already has the funding for a second mobile
veterinary clinic (production of which has been held up by supply chain issues). HSN
spends over $500,00o annually on community outreach and educational programming
While the County's DAS does an excellent job with limited resources for some similar
programs to the above, they are limited geographically to DAS facilities. HSN can
leverage nearly $1.2 million in additional private funding for these desperately needed
community services and provide vastly improved geographic reach into some of the
most underserved areas of the community.7
Expanding Adoption Opportunities and Locations
HSN provides a premiere adoption experience for residents of Collier County and
beyond and intends to grow opportunities significantly in the near term. HSN adopts
out thousands of animals per year to loving families. From puppies and kittens going
home to new loving families to grumpy elderly cats who've lost the only home they'd
ever known and dogs who have recovered from behavior challenges to elderly "fospice"
5 Again, transfer of retirement and pension accounts would require special consideration.
e Annual increases have ranged from 1% to 7% over the last several years, representing an increase of between
$55,000 and $253,000 per year.
' HSN would integrate existing DAS programs to ensure the best possible economies of scale.
Packet Pg. 576
11.D.2
(hospice foster care) cases with only a few months to live, HSN has an incredible record
of successful placements.
HSN's Board and leadership staff have significant appetite for growth. In addition to
bringing desperately needed veterinary services to underserved portions of the county,8
the organization also intends to expand to additional adoption and service centers
throughout the county, which will allow more animals to find homes and stay in their
homes. Current trends in animal sheltering predict that shelters will need to bring more
services into the community, which will keep animals in homes and out of shelters in the
first place.
HSN's von Arx Adoption Center in north Naples has served as a pilot program to bring
adoption opportunities to family -friendly retail centers with high foot traffic. Despite
having a small physical footprint, the von Arx Center currently accounts for about one
third of HSN's adoptions each year. HSN attributes the success of this pilot program to
careful selection of the location. Building on zip code data from adoptions and
surrenders at both HSN and the County's shelter, and anticipating the significant
growth already planned in the northern and eastern parts of the county, HSN is
currently narrowing down locations for its next adoption center, most likely somewhere
in the Estates. Partnering with the County at this time would leverage private resources
in this desperately needed space and ensure more adoption opportunities and service
centers for both Collier County's animals and their families.
Potential Timeline
HSN is willing to move as quickly as the County can to determine next steps and begin
identifying a timeline. There are many possible iterations of a partnership and HSN
remains open to serving the County in whatever capacity makes the most sense for all
parties. Once guidance from the BOCC is available and staff from both agencies have the
opportunity to explore the many details, it may be most prudent to fulfill the contract in
phases. One possible timeline is explored below for the purpose of discussion, but HSN
is flexible and open to dialogue on what approach works best for all parties.
To be most expeditious in getting started, HSN could take over operation and
management of the current DAS facility at a reduced cost with DAS staff remaining
employed by the county for several months. HSN's Director of Animal Care would lead
this effort personally. This would ensure a smooth transition of animal services available
to the community and allow time for the complex assimilation of county employees into
a private enterprise.
These first few months would serve as a transition period for administrative functions
while allowing HSN to get integrated into animal care. This also would allow for time for
HSN to evaluate employees for training and assignment and would allow existing
employees to decide if they would like to work for HSN, transfer within the county, or
s Currently serving Everglades City residents where no veterinary services can be found for at least 30 miles and
various Habitat for Humanity Communities, with intentions to expand to Naples Manor, Golden Gate City, the
Estates, and Immokalee.
Packet Pg. 577
11.D.2
seek other employment opportunities. This would also allow time for a full community
roll -out and opportunity for trust building with all stakeholders, which HSN would very
much like to approach with tact and respect.
In this possible timeline, on day one of the contract, HSN would assume managerial and
day to day decision making functions in existing County facilities for these areas:
• Animal care
• Stray holds
• Adoptions
• Veterinary care
Collier County would maintain employment of current staff but would work with HSN to
create a plan and prepare to transition payroll for retained staff, county owned
equipment, facilities maintenance and utilities. The County would pay a reduced fee
management contract to HSN during this time period so that trust can be built and
systems reaffirmed or established. This would also create time to move over vendor
contracts, create a unified IT structure, and determine which physical assets county will
provide for HSN's use.
During months four through 12, the above operations move entirely to HSN and this
would represent the beginning of full payment for services in a county -vendor
relationship. In the version of this partnership in which enforcement functions stay with
the county, this time would also be used to evaluate and fine tune the separation of
enforcement and animal care/adoptions.
By month 12, the County and HSN would establish and agree upon a set of benchmarks
for evaluation of the services HSN provides the County in order to both predict
performance on year two of the contract and begin discussions for years three and
beyond. In a hybrid model, this could also be the time in which HSN and the County
begin discussions on transferring enforcement functions to HSN, with a goal of
beginning to fulfill those duties by the two year mark.
Summary
HSN is eager and willing to be a partner to the County in this important, lifesaving work.
If the work of the two agencies were to be combined, the resulting services to the
community would be much more robust than either agency can currently provide. HSN
A public -private partnership will save the County money while improving the quality of
animal care in the community.
Humane Society Naples enjoys unparalleled brand recognition and loyalty in the
community. We are the most trusted agency involved in animal welfare in the
community and enjoy broad community support, as evidenced by the more than 6,000
donors who provide more than $4 million in gifts each year. We are often the first call
people make when they need assistance with their companion animals, whether that is
care assistance or to surrender a pet.
Packet Pg. 578
11.D.2
Although significant progress has been made by the County in recent years, there is still
a perception that surrendering an animal to the County is a death sentence for a beloved
pet. By affixing the HSN brand to County services, this will provide an instant boost to
the perception of the County's ability to care for and rehome companion animals. In
addition, the county would be gaining hundreds of years of animal care experience at
the highest level and a dedicated partner willing to go the extra mile to protect
vulnerable animal populations and improve the quality of life for its residents and
taxpayers.
Packet Pg. 579
11.D.2
Appendix is Additional Background and Information on Existing HSN
Programming
Private Resources Support HSN's Additional Programs and Benefit the CountX
Intake and Intake Diversion
While HSN seeks to meet the needs of the community in terms of what sizes and types
of animals are allowed within the counties' many HOA and insurance restrictions, it also
seeks to help the animals who most need our help. This can be a difficult balance to find,
but HSN succeeds by carefully matchmaking in every adoption. In 2021 so far, HSN has
taken in 1494 animals and adopted out 1443• In prior years, our rates have been similar,
with the number of animals taken in closely matching the number of adoptions.9
HSN follows the best practice tactic of managed intake, which means it does not
generally provide walk in surrender opportunities to the public as an "open admission"
shelter might. However, HSN does certainly serve as a backstop for many families in
need when they simply have no options left for their animals but to surrender them.
Over the last several years HSN has taken in an average of up to too percent more than
the number of owner surrendered animals housed at DAS, so it is already equipped to
help these animals and families in need.
HSN seeks to provide training and resources that might keep loved, wanted animals in
their homes. Surrender calls to HSN are routed to our staff for further discussion
around barriers and opportunities for diversion. This reduces the load on the shelter
and helps keep families together during temporary times of need. Rather than simply
stating that the shelter is full or turning people away, HSN's professional staff are
carefully trained with social service skills to ask careful questions and look for
opportunities to assist these families in need. A few of the private resources HSN uses to
divert intakes include:
o Food pantry
o Mobile veterinary clinic
o Interventional behavioral training
o Crisis boarding
Low Euthanasia Rate
While net intake numbers are generally comparable between the two agenciesio, HSN
has only euthanized an average of around too animals per year (including those
9 In contrast, the County shelter has seen a larger gap between the number of animals available for adoption and
the number of adoptions — according to the most recently available data, DAS has taken in over 2400 animals
available for adoption thus far in 2021 and adopted out only about 1400. The distance between these numbers
indicates that the population at the County shelter might exceed the shelter's capacity of care.
11 While historically the two agencies' net intake numbers have been within a few hundred of each other, 2021
stands out as an anomaly with HSN intake being much lower. This is due to a reduction in capacity during the
pendency of a renovation at HSN's Oaks campus, which would normally serve as the initial intake center and
clearinghouse for new arrivals.
Packet Pg. 580
11.D.2
requested by owners in our public clinic), whereas DAS has euthanized an average of
around 28o per year — nearly a threefold difference. While the County's rate is
admirably low compared to surrounding areas and similarly situated colleagues, it could
be lower. HSN attributes the difference between the two agencies in part due to having
the private resources to evaluate and problem solve nearly every "savable" case that
comes through HSN's doors. These private resources could be leveraged for the County
to bring down this rate to an even lower number.
Veterinary Care
In addition to the mobile veterinary clinic(s) mentioned above, HSN is fortunate to have
the private resources and staffing to operate a public veterinary clinic. HSN currently
employs 5 veterinarians and 15 other veterinary staff. The HSN clinic provides high
quality veterinary care to shelter residents, recent adopters, members of the general
public, and to those who cannot afford care elsewhere. HSN staff work with each family
in need to establish payment plans or low/no cost services when possible. These private
resources allow HSN to keep loved, wanted animals in homes when they otherwise may
be facing surrendering to HSN or the County. This preserves family bonds while
reducing the cost burden on the shelters to take the animal in, care for them, and find
another home for them.
The HSN clinic provides free and low cost spay/neuter services to those in need and
partners with smaller rescue organizations to assist with spay/neuter of community cats
when possible. Last year, HSN also was proud to be able to support the County's
veterinary care program during an extended staffing shortage by serving as its
veterinarian of record for DEA purposes and providing relief care to the county shelter.
HSN also has the private resources to provide emergency and specialty services for
animals in our shelter and in the public. HSN routinely has animals either in the shelter
or as clients who need orthopedic surgery, cardiac care, and other specialties. Many of
the critical cases HSN serves in this capacity have either been transferred from or
referred to HSN by DAS due to lack of resources.
Behavioral Training and Intervention
HSN has a behavior and rehabilitation program at its Oaks campus that includes one
manager, one supervisor, and two behavior technicians. Since the program's inception
in 2019, HSN has been able to provide training and successful rehabilitation for many
dogs with reversable behavior challenges. "Graduates" of this program would often have
faced certain euthanasia at other shelters, including the County's shelter, but can go on
to find loving new homes after spending time in the HSN program. Sometimes this
program takes months of intensive training, but HSN's private resources allow for
whatever time is needed for this recovery. HSN has taken many behavior cases from the
County into this program who otherwise would not have had a positive outcome.
Packet Pg. 581
11.D.2
Appendix 2: Qualifications of HSN's Leadership
HSN's board consists of 12 volunteer directors with backgrounds in estate law, real
estate law, banking and finance, civil engineering, construction finance, marketing and
events, accounting, insurance, and investments. It meets 10 times per year to provide
governance and oversight to ensure HSN and its team consistently fulfills its mission.
HSN's staff includes a leadership team consisting of an executive director and five
department directors: directors of animal care, director of human resources, director of
community services, director of development and marketing, and a medical director.
HSN is also served by an outsourced CFO for finance and business services. HSN's
leadership staff boasts hundreds of combined years of animal care and leadership
experience.
Executive Director: Sarah Baeckler Davis is a nonprofit leader with a track record
of growing animal welfare organizations. A non -practicing lawyer, Baeckler serves as
executive director of Humane Society Naples where she leads a team of 8o dedicated to
the mission of providing shelter for animals in need, providing loving homes through
adoption, and promoting the well-being of companion animals. Before joining Humane
Society Naples in 2017, Baeckler spent the majority of her career running primate
sanctuaries in the United States, including serving as executive director for Chimpanzee
Sanctuary Northwest in Washington state and founding executive director of Project
Chimps in Georgia. She also served as executive director of a coalition of sanctuaries and
believes strongly in the power of coalition building. Sarah serves on the board of the
Florida Association of Animal Welfare Associations, the steering committee for Florida
Leaders in Lifesaving, and on Collier County's Domestic Animal Services Advisory
Board. She has a graduate degree from Central Washington University and a J.D. from
Lewis and Clark Law School.
Director of Marketing and Development: Dave Feenan is a non-profit
management professional with more than 35 years of fundraising and special event
experience leading teams in achieving campaign goals and mission objectives. Prior to
moving the HSN, he served as the Divisional Director for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association for 33 years. He has a consistent record of accomplishments in these two
roles and demonstrates reliable leadership and planning skills resulting in an integrated
team of creative professionals working together to achieve campaign goals. Throughout
his career he has been responsible for raising over $130 million. He has a degree in
Political Science and Government from Sienna College.
Director of Human Resources: Jen Feuerstein is a biologist who spent the bulk
of her career as a specialist in the behavior, care, and socialization of captive non -human
primates, particularly chimpanzees. A native of Grand Rapids, MI, Jen graduated with a
degree in biology from Kalamazoo College and pursued additional education in zoology
at the University of Georgia. After nearly 25 years of progressive hands-on care and then
operational leadership roles in animal facilities, in recent years Jen has shifted to
administrative roles within the animal protection community and currently serves as
10
Packet Pg. 582
11.D.2
Director of Human Resources for Humane Society Naples. She also cofounded and
served as the chair of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance and currently
serves on the board of the Friends of the Florida Panther.
Director of Community Services: Meredith McLean has been with Humane
Society Naples (HSN) since 2016, first serving as a volunteer on its young professional
board before being hired in 2018. Once on board she worked on special events and
fundraising, then as an outreach manager before becoming the Director of Community
Services. In this role she focuses on creating and sustaining humane communities not
only for pets but the people who care for them as well. From working within
underserved communities to help people keep their pets, looking for ways to intervene
and support those who are considering surrendering their animals, to making sure our
communities and local organizations are working together to best help animals and
their families, Meredith enjoys the multi -faceted roles she plays within the field. She
also serves on committees with Human Animal Support Services (HASS) where she
works together with animal welfare organizations from across the United States, which
helps keep her informed of the best practices to apply to the Naples community.
Meredith served various nonprofits before coming to HSN including KaBOOM!, Farm
Sanctuary, and most recently before HSN, as Program Officer for the Richard M. Shulze
Family Foundation. Meredith has degree in Business Administration and Management
from Millersville University and several emergency response certifications.
Medical Director: Dr. John Morton has served as the Medical Director of Humane
Society Naples since 2017. Dr. Morton is responsible for overseeing the medical care of
the 2300+ dogs, cats, and small mammals who enter and leave the facility on a yearly
basis while also overseeing the full -service veterinary clinic that is attached to the
shelter. The clinic staffs 5 full-time veterinarians and 15 support staff and sees over
4,000 public -owned animals per year. Under Dr. Morton's leadership, the clinic has
undergone an expansion of more state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
than is available in most other shelters in the state. He has also been at the medical helm
of the launch of HSN's Paige Conery Mobile Veterinary Clinic, a fully equipped, full
service, mobile clinic that goes to underserved areas of the community to provide free
and low-cost veterinary services to those with limited access. Dr. Morton is passionate
about passing on the knowledge to the next generation of veterinarians and spearheaded
an internship program at HSN through the University of Florida College of Veterinary
Medicine wherein veterinary students can obtain practical clinical and surgery
experience before entering practice. Dr. Morton graduated from the University of
Florida in 2009 with a bachelors in Zoology and again in 2013 with his Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine.
Director of Animal Care: Gabe Waters has served as HSN's Director of Animal
Care since 2017. He leads HSN's largest department with a staff 4o animal care
professionals, supervisors, and managers. Prior to joining HSN, he held leadership
positions in various academic and nonprofit settings. In addition to applied behavioral
work with dogs, birds, chimpanzees, and humans, Gabe spent over a decade teaching
11
Packet Pg. 583
11.D.2
and researching animal communication, animal behavior, and learning theory. He
developed graduate seminars on the topics of animal communication and has published
a number of peer reviewed articles and book chapters on topics including the evolution
of language, animal communication, language processing, and animal enrichment.
Gabe has also published and worked on many topics involving animal welfare. He has
also volunteered to start and run enrichment programs at several zoos. Gabe holds
advanced degrees in experimental psychology and linguistics.
12
Packet Pg. 584
(AjalaoS auewnH pue Ajunoa uaamlaq uol;eaogelloa : Z£LOZ) 6M �Z-VVU uol;e;uasaad sda :;uauayoe;;d
li► E
LO
00
Lf)
Cb
a
m
a
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uOwLj3ejjv
v
c
o-
T �
y L m > 6
N Y E
L > 2 m O
c o o ♦+ L w
•L -6 .m m a,
'u a, O
W in m o m a/ U E
m a 3 °o fl- v °
L �° c aJ 'CA.
N a m
y m E U O U a)Q .0
Y m .2 m, u (a X c 0
�
L E t � m U v �I,-
H O v cl 7 0_ U a) al
w x a, 2 a, i N O
C 2 . N M Oq ,v h m u
0 > v ; 2 70 0 •C 3
y Q fl_ Q a, a)
n m c E 2.
Ca, co u) ° O
'w v v .v L
O '> aj .v H u > c
'j U c o N o O a) O
++
M a 3 t `n
c y i a,G c v v c m Q
i a c ON m = >
p c u .v c E v° s
o a) ox
K X- L
a a, m
c v
¢ a)
c
a) o N
a, ba
fE`6
U bD
a, is o
U
`E c c a
QJ
L t a) `o5;O i
N n u O U 2
- v � E _v
c
.i m o m
c o v
a, c m N
m c
v° .(u o m 3 0
m N v v Y a)
a ,E v -o
V LL m o -o
o.
d= E c a N -o a co
0 u -@ ° c
i p o a Q v y a) c
S N m. m O i
G > m N y0 -E v Q a) ° v
++ a >
O u N c 0 u m '^ C >' N a, a,
a`i O c aa�v O �.
t .E " u L v c v c U E c -
w o c T m _ m
u Q 0 0 a Q ° �o O a E 0
m at C Y ,= - m •E Y -O m 0
fa w o U C m
O E O ) Q a1 c
3 E N L a O .� u
m m O c u
x v O a c a E
.4 ,1 o c T X u 3
a o a, c `o O a .E
E o o v aci i u
r m S E° E m
y u ami i E nca
" c o > m Y
sa, v a) ai oN c° `o
a 3
o v •C a`, >
on - o
2 v do > c v c
c_
3 E" o v u E
N mw -Es m o 3 u m o
c �
c a`) O .T
C m a c Q
L
a a, X
o i a)
7 N
e
c o m
o 3
O u c O
6
C O v aw
0 U m 6 O
w z
� c o � a,
E V O 0 v c
m 7
c E o a, u o
Q O 7, - u
L L c U 1O
O ¢ i 0
a! m m .
u c E c a a
N ° 'E m J� O
¢
E ¢
N 0 m7 0
nj 00 O 2 O
•-
o a,y a) o
N V) E a
n m E E
¢ c m °
ca o a a
a
c o 3 v
O o a v
;9
O
00
LO
6
a
i
V
a
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
M
r
r
=
N
*r
�
a
ai
aA
=
s
�F
N
•
O
a�
i
aJ
N
H
�+
�+
O
tw
L
>
ai
_
m
ai
•w
L
O
N
O
m
i
�
Q
L
•i
N
fp
•�
•�
N
�
�"�
_0
Qi
N
L
N
O
Q
+�
t
a1
i
s
N
(A>
m
N
m
a
++
O
O
z
O
•c
o
r
.�
W
3
i
a,
c/f
+'
a
Q
N
N
L-
a)
to
a)
O
+''
•fa
+>+
>�
O
>.
N
•E
=
�
N
+'
M
O
O
N
U
O
0
0
c�
4-
C
44
O
�
dA
++
N
++
O
O
•N
to
O
N
N
•N
N
>'
4A
m
++
E
N
CL
_
W
s U
L
O
t
++
I
N
U
U
•V
N
L
o
U_
aJ
W
H
O
dJ
++
a1
Q
-
.O
rr
.
E
tw
w
fp
+_+
cv
0
O
-0
LL
•�
IA
c
m
O
W
w
L
w
i
O
LL
0
0
0
-
E
•E
E_
M
++
O-
N
w
O
4-1
a1
a=
16
-
O
++
N
'0
(A
—
•r
co
a
a
co
m
ww
W
*'
tw
=
W
L
aA
E
m
EA
(a
L
tw
=
N
m
iaQ
�
'_
dA
_
�
IA
N
dA
O
Q
.=
u
O
to
r,
•U
m
E
N
Q
ci
H
of
a
a
w
V
s
C
aJ
0
i
U
�
U
�
i
m
�
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
LA
a,
u
a�
GC
vi
CL
t
u
O
u r-
.�
N MN
� N_
m
�-+ pA
O
Q (L)
Es
o
r
N m
L �
Es
+�
O +�
3 0
a,
� 3
o O
N
N M
f0 �_
> �V
r-I V
C1 M
00 >
�E
-a O
m a
EA N
•E
U ++
m
�s
�V Vf
3
O
N Vf
O >-
U 10
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
ui o vi o
a v m m
0
ui o ui o ui o
allll SIXV
a
0
v
u
u
m
00
00
LO
6
a
m
�a
a
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaann;aq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
n
U 7
O
vO V
MENEM E
= m
■
0 0 0 0 0 0
N O 00 tD It N
ci ci
gya woa} pona}smi slewiuy }o aagwnN
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
M
r
r
�
aA
u
oli
=
GJ
3
_0
LL
O
aO+
�
0
cc
O
O
m
O
O
O
G1
CC
Ln
N
G1
u
J
+-+
CIA
__
_
N
f6
tA
Q
•�
.v
tw
4J
_
0
s
LA.
a
°1
IA
N
O
=
0
O
IA
L
VI
E
E
0
0
v
s
_
•
°t
a-W
N
O
°
"C
i
9
Ln
LA.=
_
u
°OUQO�
�'+o-+
o
s
s
o
o
o
o
o
>
s
s
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
m
E
►:
N
c
u
m
GJ
O
u
L.
0
a�
O
N
u
0
a,
N
G1
L
u
A
• • •
z.
tw
c
m m
O 3
E Q
� 3
O
O. -O
i
tw
= o
.%W
.0 L
N w
0 0
a,
m
N
L
a,
a,
0
c
tw
m.
c
c
0
O
c
m
s
u
.=
to
-0
E
L
E
V
rl
N
O
u
N
G1
N
c
rl
L
L
=
to
_
`0
Q
•N
O
da
N
.0
O
r-
a�
Gi
++
a�
M
L
•�
c
o
t
t
c
3
tw
>�=a
00-0
.O
•O
m
=
L
a
L
M
O
c
a�
u
CC
Y
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVC1 :;uauayoejjv
a�
1�
Elqw-
>' V
L
O O
L
.O Q
CL GJ of
u
v► _ r
L
O u O
•U
d F- N >
N
m
LO
a
d
�a
a
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
(Ajapog auewnH pue Ajunoo uaamlaq uol;eaogelloo : Z£LOZ) 631 LZ-VVU uol;e;uasaad SVCI :;uauayoejjv
i�
•
vl;
Q
s
L
3
0
mL Q
0
aLn
3 1
N
� o
=o
� N
s =
U
f6 �
a� 0
L O
Vf
O �
+� N
E�
E
0 •
V
O
N
•
• • •
w w
M E
3 m
4' V
N �
0
a�
E _
u
_
t
L
w
Q
•