DASAB Minutes 09/19/2023 September 19, 2023
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COLLIER COUNTY
DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WORKSHOP MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Domestic Animal Services Advisory
Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date
at 4:00PM in a WORKSHOP setting in Administration Building F, 3rd. Floor, Collier County
Government Center, Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
James Rich, Animal Activist Group
Sherry Rego, Law Enforcement
Kelly Hyland, At-Large
Michele Antonio, At-Large
Dr. Bob March, Veterinarian
Cindy Delgado, Administration DAS
Marcy Perry, Director DAS
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call – Establish a Quorum
Quorum was met.
James Rich: Today is a workshop so we do not vote. Workshops are where things get done;
meetings are best for shallow coverage of many topics. (Difference between workshop and
meetings printout handed out.) Meetings deliver outcomes or conditions such as increased
awareness, while workshops documents outputs such as strategic plans, decisions, and
detailed solutions.
Further discussion regarding:
Contributions made by everyone on the Committee, i.e., fundraisers, surgical staff supply,
emergency surgeries, being on call for emergencies, taking in animals instead of having
them euthanized, taking the time to reunite pets with their owners.
Budget Cuts – The Board of County Commissioners has not decided yet, and cuts will
affect all departments of Collier County's budget. DAS needs more funds, staff,
volunteers, etc. And we have more than doubled the number of animals coming in.
September 19, 2023
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3. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by James Rich.
4. How Board Members Can Best Support DAS
Ideas to help limit the number of animals coming into DAS
Enforce the breeder’s permit but more importantly the hobby breeders by having the local
law more stringent. Making these hobby breeders pay.
It’s expensive to spay or neuter an animal and many cannot afford the current cost. If
DAS had two veterinarians – one could do medical while the other vet one spays and
neuters for the animals already here. And then perhaps DAS could offer low-cost
vouchers, and in addition call other veterinarians to see if they would offer the same low-
cost service to some who cannot afford it.
Animal control enforcement but will the magistrate complain that there are too many
people being cited.
If their dog continues to be picked up by DAS and the owner comes to claim their animal,
they pay a fee to DAS. If the animal is not spayed or neutered the pay would also include
a higher fee for having it fixed.
It’s about education – at fundraisers, special events in different parks throughout the
community, food drives, etc.
Work with unfriendly animal landlords and condo associations to allow pets. Another
problem is where rents have been raised and people can’t find places to live with their
animals. Provide temporary housing for pets because of reasons such as hospital stays,
damage to their home because of hurricanes, or a person will be in jail for two weeks.
Food banks for pets.
Create a flyer in several languages and pass them out in specific locations explaining the
services that are available. Look at the big picture.
Find companies that will donate for fencing or dog houses.
Put together a pamphlet detailing what we can provide and at what cost if any; a list of
other locations besides DAS that offer services or food; dates and times for low-cost
vaccinations; make a list of all the events going on in the communities and see if we can
set up a table; get the word out by mouth and through this pamphlet
Dogs Deserve Better – basically for chained dogs. Talk to the owner and educate; find out
what they need to get that dog off the chain. Some owners just don’t care.
Provide resources and education; some people don’t have the means to comply
We gather the information, resources, vouchers or low cost services and locations for
distribution and have Marcy put it together
Educate people through podcasts; public service announcements; have someone on local
radio stations
Partner with the Sheriff’s Department on their community outreach programs/events
James Rich: For October’s meeting we’ll do the same type of format/workshop like we’ve done
today. Get all your resources together and we’ll put them in a format and give it to Marcy.