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DASAB Minutes 04/16/2025 (Draft) 1 COLLIER COUNTY DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Apr 16, 2025 6:00 p.m. 2800 N. Horseshoe Dr. Naples, FL 34104 Growth Management Community Development Department Room 609/610 Laurie Harris, Chairman Kelly Hyland Michele Antonia Jonathan Foerster, Humane Society Naples Susan Mehas Allen Schantzen, Animal Rights Group Meredith McLean, Director Sherry Rego – Law Enforcement 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL – QUORUM ESTABLISHED 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Harris • A video clip on Snipp Collier’s Facebook page has sparked backlash, seemingly directed at Animal Control Officers (ACOs). • While ACOs are not under the Advisory Board’s jurisdiction, their performance directly affects shelter operations. • The issue will be addressed at the Commission meeting on Tuesday at 9:00 at the Government Center. • The Advisory Board’s role is to advise the Commission, and this concern will be formally presented. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Allen Schantzen 2 • Made a motion to add item 9D to the agenda and approve the amended agenda. • Distributed a handout for discussion related to this addition. • The added item pertains to advisory boards for both DAS and code enforcement. Allen Schantzen motioned to approve the agenda Michele Antonia seconded Motion passed unanimously, the agenda was approved 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Patty Thule, volunteer • Expressed concern that officers do not actively search for stray animals, as they are visibly present on the roads. • Raised questions about facility spending—aesthetic improvements prioritized over functional upgrades for dogs. • Building 5, which had a long-term rat infestation, should have been demolished and rebuilt with large kennels and outdoor runs. • Instead, efforts focused on cleaning and painting over 6–8 months. Requested clarity on who manages shelter funds. Heidi ....., citizen • Concerned that DAS does not perform spay/neuter procedures same-day, resulting in cats being held for up to a week. • Reported confusion among staff regarding intake forms—only stray cat intake forms exist, no specific "finder to release" documentation. • Raised concerns about lost animals, discouraging individuals from bringing in cats for spay/neuter services. Meredith McClean • Surgical Delays: o Previously, cats could be held for up to a week due to lack of an in-house surgeon. o Now, a surgeon is available three days per week, significantly reducing delays. • Release Process: o Shelter staff, not animal control officers, now manage cat releases, which can cause delays when resources are limited. o Volunteers are being incorporated to expedite releases. • Intake & Finder to Return (FTR) Process: o All cats must enter under a stray hold form due to legal requirements. 3 o If a community member wants the cat back post-surgery, it is logged under FTR status, which is finder to return. o Some cats may be reassessed for adoption or transferred to additional care facilities, especially moms with kittens. • Lost Cats Concern: o Shelter layout contributes to occasional escapes due to high ceilings with open spaces. o Traps are set to recover any loose cats, with tracking procedures in place. o Loose cat incidents have decreased significantly but still require proactive management. Kelly Hyland • Asked why the ceiling remains open. Meredith McClean • Explained the shelter has 20-foot ceilings with some paneling that feral cats may push through. • Escape-prone cats are placed in a more secure, caged area. • However, high intake levels sometimes require housing cats in less restrictive spaces. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Allen Schantzen • Issue with March 19 minutes: o His name is misspelled o It would be great if page numbers were included Chairman Harris motioned, Michele Antonio seconded Motion passed unanimously March 2025 minutes was approved with changes 7. STAFF REPORT Meredith McLean Kitten & Neonate Care • Most shelters and rescues are currently low on kittens under 8 weeks old, but numbers may rise as capacity fills. 4 • Neonates can be placed in stages—starting from mom-and-baby pairs to independent eaters, before assigning bottle feeders requiring care every 2 hours. Bottle feeders cannot remain overnight in the shelter. • A specialized nursery was set up; the space provides a lower-traffic, secure area for neonates to help maintain their health. Veterinary & Staffing Updates • Dr. Erica’s Schedule Adjustment: o Starting May, she will scale back East Coast hours to provide more coverage at the shelter. o Goal: Expand available vet support throughout the week. • New Program Manager (Jene) Starting April 28: o Extensive shelter and conservancy experience, worked at HSN before o Background in program development, policies, and processes. Front Desk & Customer Service Staffing • Temporary & Full-time Customer Service Specialists Hired: o Goal: Strengthen front desk support, allowing animal care specialists to return to direct animal care roles. o Tanya remains the primary front desk specialist. Hiring Updates • Full-Time Animal Care Position: Offer accepted and pending county, HR processing. • Animal Care II Specialist (Supervisor Role): Position posted, applicant search ongoing. • Coordinator Roles (Foster, Behavior & Enrichment, Volunteers): o Volunteer & Behavior positions open until the end of the week. o These are specialized roles—extension likely if appropriate candidates are not found. o Outside recruitment with national organizations underway. • Temporary Positions: Two extended, with continued hiring efforts. • Internships: Planning for summer intern intake. Shelter Intake (As of April 14) • Total Animals: 527 o Cats: 335 o Dogs: 185 o Other Species: 7 (Includes geckos, horses, birds) Chairman Harris 5 • Asked how the cow was Meredith McLean • Explained that cattle must be auctioned due to legal requirements based on an old state statute. Susan Mehas • Asked if specifications could be made to ensure cattle are not sent for slaughter. Meredith McLean • Stated that no restrictions can be placed on auction terms, and the process must be publicly posted in the paper. • Mentioned that a senator is working on potentially updating this law. Adoptions, Transfers and Foster • Meredith McLean: o 345 cats adopted, though foster-to-adopt animals not altered yet remain unofficial adoptions. o 179 transfers: 144 cats, 35 dogs, with over 100 to Patty Baker Humane Society Naples, assisting with underage kittens. o Over 200 animals currently in foster, including 1 adoption by the county manager on Friday. o Acknowledgment of the organization that hosted the puppy prom. Animal Control Updates • Meredith McLean: o 265 cases opened, 197 closed, and 76 citations issued for various infractions (e.g., not vaccinated, running at large). o Second animal cruelty-related arrest on Monday, with support from Collier County Sheriff’s Office and HSN forensic analysis. Confiscation Methodology Discussion • Allen Schantzen Questioned methodology behind 5 dog and 1 cat confiscation (domestic vs. abuse situation). • Meredith McLean o Explained differences between "confiscate" and "safe keep." o Sammy case (Monday's arrest) was a seizure issued by the sheriff’s department. o Confiscation occurs when law enforcement finds animals on-site. Safe keep is an alternative based on circumstances. Animal Control Reporting Concerns • Susan Mehas Asked if people must go online to report animals, considering mobility limitations. • Meredith McLean o Department now sends an email with a direct reporting link. 6 o Encourages self-reporting for accuracy but assists callers without computer access. Contact & Emergency Reporting • Susan Mehas Asked for the direct number. • Meredith McLean o Dial 3112 for direct connection to code enforcement. o After-hours calls to the sheriff are relayed via radio when immediate action is needed. Fundraising at Puppy Prom • Susan Mehas Asked about the dollar amount raised. Meredith McLean Numbers are not available yet. Confiscation Clarification • Michelle Antonia Questioned confiscation numbers (4 in the field, 1 in shelter). • Meredith McLean o Admitted a data entry error—likely all field confiscations. o Explained a scenario where an animal was first housed, then officially confiscated upon full case assessment. Kitten Overpopulation Concern • Susan Mehas Expressed concern about increasing numbers of kittens. • Michelle Antonia Suggested requiring breeders permits or mandatory spay/neuter enforcement. • Meredith McLean o Plans to start offering monthly breeder permit enforcement sessions, though in limited capacity. o Dr. Erica is interested, but fee schedule adjustments are needed. Shelter & Surrender Updates • Meredith McLean o Praised volunteers for their role in increasing adoptions. o Owner surrender numbers up to 50, intake increasing due to available space. o Working on an electronic surrender form for triaging cases efficiently. 8. Old Business a) Facilities Update 7 Meredith McLean • Building 4 has undergone the demolition phase. • Facilities management will verify the work order's status and ensure proper documentation. Allen Schantzen • Suggested prioritizing permanent landscaping in high-traffic public areas (e.g., front space) to eliminate trip hazards caused by exposed utility covers. • Recommended this as a benefit for older volunteers. • Requested reinstalling benches on the shaded north sides of Buildings 3, 4, and 5 to accommodate volunteers walking dogs, especially those on restricted walks. • Emphasized the need for resting spots during walks due to lack of seating. Meredith McLean • Announced plans to convert the retention area by the staff parking lot into a walk-only dog area with a clear pathway and benches; dogs will remain leashed due to low fencing. • Suggested limited use of shaded barn areas for seating when no livestock is present, with clear communication protocols. • Landscaping is currently paused due to ongoing construction and storm drain work. • Future plans include sensory-focused landscaping for dogs rather than aesthetic public designs. • Landscaping will resume post-construction to avoid waste. Chairman Harris • Volunteers reported that the flooring in Building Five becomes dangerously slick when wet, leading to falls. Are the flooring materials used in building 5 going to be reviewed before proceeding with flooring in buildings 3 and 4? Meredith McLean • A review of buildings and floors is being considered. Susan Mehas • Inquired about whether ABC Landscape Company could contribute and receive name recognition on a sign. Meredith McLean • Donations are permitted but must go through the Board of County Commissioners. • Naming rights cannot currently be sold, though county discussions on the topic are ongoing. 8 • Strict regulations govern donations at the county level—volunteers can receive treats like cookies, but county staff cannot. b) Itemized Expenses towards $6M Renovations Meredith McLean • confirmed they are still waiting on an itemized breakdown of expenses from the $6 million shelter renovation budget. • The report should be available by the next meeting. Allen Schantzen • asked whether the breakdown will cover all expenses from the start of the spending to the present or just specific phases (e.g., Building 4 or Building 5). Meredith McLean • said they would work with the responsible organization to clarify dates and details. Kelly Hyland • reiterated their request for a detailed accounting of how the initial funds were spent, noting that about $3.9 million is still unspent. Chairman Harris • suggested including how the remaining funds are intended to be used. Meredith McLean • said they would ask but wasn’t sure of the answer. c) Ordinance revision update-hobby breeder Meredith McLean • The ordinance revision (specifically the hobby breeder portion) is still in progress. • County staff are reviewing it for stronger, enforceable language. • It won’t move forward until it is reviewed by the advisory board. • The goal is to ensure the ordinance can be effectively enforced by animal control officers. • A timeline is not available yet, but it is considered a priority by the county manager. Enforcement Concerns • Code enforcement input is crucial since they’re responsible for implementation. • Some board members stressed that enforcement is already legally possible, even under the current ordinance, and shouldn't stop while waiting on revisions. • There is acknowledgment that animal control officers are issuing citations and making efforts, but staff limitations remain an issue. • There are currently about 5 animal control officers, with recent hires made. Communication Issues & Accountability • There’s frustration over the slow progress, lack of clear timelines, and minimal subcommittee activity. 9 • Concern was raised about the mismatch between the breeder information packet and the ordinance—it needs alignment. • Kelly Hyland repeatedly emphasized that inspections and enforcement aren't happening consistently or effectively. • Disagreement occurred over how much is actually being done and how responsive officers are in the field. �� Inspection Responsibility • The question of who is actually conducting inspections for licensed breeders remains unclear. • Meredith McLean was asked if she knows who’s responsible, but others insisted she has no authority to answer. • It was noted that a future proposal may involve board members collaborating directly with code enforcement officers for oversight. 9. NEW BUSINESS a) Budget Budget Planning Update • Fiscal year starts in October; budget planning is in early stages. • A formal, itemized budget (including staffing needs) will be shared with the board for review once finalized. • Staffing recommendations are based on national standards; other requests (e.g., equipment like X-ray and ultrasonic machines) are operational and facilities-related. • Budget review is anticipated around June; board will be informed of the meeting date. Staffing and Board Involvement • Input from the department director is being considered in the budget. • The advisory board expressed interest in endorsing the finalized request and forwarding it to county commissioners for support. b) First Approved Adopter Process Withdrawal • The director confirmed the intent to discontinue the "First Approved" process but emphasized the need for proper planning and staff alignment before execution. • The process has been delayed due to understaffing and the importance of community and staff communication. • There is expected pushback from community members who monitor the intake list closely to apply quickly for specific animals. • Community members closely monitor the shelter’s website and even set alerts for preferred breeds. • A suggestion was made to tie first-choice adoption privileges to volunteer service (e.g., 20 hours of volunteering earns early adoption choice). c) Adoption Process 10 Susan Mehas • Animals Being Let Outside After Adoption: o It's a recurring issue that adopters let cats outside on the day of adoption, which should never happen. o Signage is needed in the lobby and adoption areas clearly stating that:  Letting a pet roam is against the law.  Statute numbers should be posted.  Adopters must be explicitly told: “You cannot let your cat outside.” Meredith McLean o Signs alone are ineffective — people don’t read them. o Talking to adopters is the most effective way to communicate rules and expectations. • Dogs and Fencing: o If someone doesn’t have a fenced yard, it must be made clear that they can't just let a dog run free — especially high-energy breeds like huskies. • Bonded Pairs Must Stay Together: o If two cats (e.g., siblings) are emotionally bonded, they must be adopted together. o Example given: two bonded brothers were separated; one got out, got lost, then was found and returned — both cats were distressed during separation. Meredith McLean o Does not believe all cats living together are truly bonded. o Eight-week-old kittens, for example, are often unnecessarily labeled as bonded. o National standards are being referenced to avoid requiring people to adopt multiple animals unless it's genuinely needed. Susan Mehas • Adoption Paperwork and Contracts o A clause must be added saying adopters agree not to let pets roam. o If the adopted animal is later found outside, they don’t get the pet back. Meredith McLean o People make mistakes — not all cases are negligence. o If an adopter loses an animal but contacts the shelter immediately, they are considered responsible owners. o Legally, the pet still belongs to the adopter, and the shelter cannot just keep it. o Adoption language and process need to be improved. Strongly supports follow-up after adoption. Volunteers are doing it informally now, but wants staff to take ownership. o Follow-up helps reinforce education and gives staff a chance to see successful outcomes. o They’re already working on revising the adoption packet and considering hiring an Adoption Coordinator next year. o Animal care staff are covering front desk duties, which disrupts proper communication during adoptions. o Wants to separate these roles to improve consistency and quality of the adoption process. 11 Allen Schantzen • Expressed concern that the board lost meaningful authority when animal enforcement was transferred to code enforcement. • This move limits the advisory board’s ability to act on issues they care about. • Proposed placing animal welfare advocates on the Code Enforcement Board (CEB), which currently has four open seats. • Emphasized that the board's composition could be changed similarly to how the advisory board was once formed. • Suggested that advocates could push for animal-related issues where actionable decisions are made (e.g., by the magistrate). Points of Agreement • Most speakers agreed that the current advisory board lacks the power to affect enforcement issues meaningfully. • Several members supported Allen Schantzen’s idea to influence the CEB by placing animal-focused individuals on it. • Agreement that action must be taken to give animal issues a proper venue within county governance. Concerns & Disagreements • Some members questioned whether an animal advocate on the CEB would actually have the power to act on animal-related cases. • Concern that most CEB business is related to construction, code violations, and unrelated issues. • Skepticism about whether animal cases come before the board frequently enough to justify a designated seat. Kelly Hyland • Criticized the board for not making recommendations on programs, services, or shelter facility upgrades—key parts of its mandate. • Referenced a recent animal abuse case (“Sammy the dog”) to underscore failures in the system and the importance of having proper oversight and advocacy. • Expressed deep frustration that no mechanisms are in place to prevent or correct such failures. A formal motion was made to recommend the Board of County Commissioners create a designated seat on the CEB for an animal welfare advocate (not an alternate). The motion passed unanimously. 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS Lisa Dubois (DAS Volunteer) 12 Unsafe Flooring in Building 5: • The flooring, reportedly donated, is extremely slippery and hazardous. • Both volunteers and dogs have slipped or fallen. • Lisa urged the board not to repeat the same mistake in Buildings 3 and 4. • Emphasized that the issue is about safety, not aesthetics. Urgent Need for Communication Tools: • Volunteers have no walkie-talkies to communicate across buildings during emergencies. • In the event of dog fights or accidents, someone must physically run to get help, which delays response and endangers animals and people. • Lisa emphasized the urgent need for at least one walkie-talkie per building to improve response during emergencies like dog fights or volunteer injuries. • Suggested even basic or police-style radios, or one outdoor communication unit to avoid yelling across the property. Staffing Shortages: • Too few staff are available to support volunteers—sometimes just two people are walking 30 dogs over three hours. • Meredith McLean is doing an excellent job, but cannot manage alone. Meredith McLean • Addressing flooring immediately could reduce capacity to house 60 animals. • Other building must be operational before flooring repairs can proceed. • Building 5 cannot be shut down for repairs without significant impact. • Not everyone needs a personal radio, but one per building is feasible and she will check current inventory and seek practical alternatives (e.g., air horns). • Acknowledged the concern about staffing and said more staff are coming, but budget approval is pending. • Asked the board to support her upcoming staffing request during the county budget process. • May have discretionary funds for a small radio purchase (e.g., two radios). • Larger purchases (e.g., 100 radios) would require Board approval. • High-quality radios cost $500-$600 each; budget flexibility might allow a purchase without commissioner involvement. Kelly Hyland • Pushed for immediate action, suggesting this is a safety and liability concern that could lead to injury or lawsuits. Proposed Actions & Discussion • A motion was proposed to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners: o Address flooring safety concerns in Building 5. o Provide or approve emergency communication tools (e.g., walkie-talkies or alternatives) for volunteers. o Recognize the staffing shortage Allen Schantzen 13 • Suggested giving the director time to respond with solutions before making formal recommendations to the Commissioners. • Emphasized that the director has acknowledged the concerns and is already working on solutions, including training, communication tools, and reviewing flooring options. • Recommended revisiting the issue at the next meeting, and only then escalate if unresolved. 11. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Jonathan Foerster • Advisory board discussions should not be overly influenced by online posts. • Information online can be misrepresented or distorted, so verifying facts is essential. • Reacting emotionally to individual cases without proper context is unproductive. • The board should prioritize solving large-scale, systemic issues rather than individual cases. • Building conditions impact long-term shelter operations and should be addressed. • Ordinances and policies are more effective areas for board discussions rather than singular incidents. • Board members may have different ways of tackling issues, and that diversity is valid. • Respectful discussions and a focus on meaningful change should remain the priority. Kelly Hyland • Asked about the previous mention of the RTO (Return to Owner) process and restrictions imposed by state mandate. • Sought clarification on breeder requirements during RTO/RTH (Return to Home) processes. • Suggested disseminating public information due to confusion and many inquiries received via text and email. • Proposed using billboards to share reporting numbers for animal abuse, like those used in Lee County. • Questioned if the billboard idea had ever been pursued in Collier County and advocated for at least making the request. • Asked about the process for pursuing the billboard idea and initiating conversations with the Sheriff’s Office. • Inquired if the matter would need to go to the County Commissioners for approval. • Asked who would post on social media if billboards weren't used—DAS, Sheriff’s Office, or Code Enforcement. • Encouraged a DAS social media campaign as a worthwhile attempt. • Reiterated interest in getting an update on the Humane Society and DAS study, including its purpose, cost, approval, and findings. Jonathan Foerster 14 • Changes to allow animal confiscation due to repeated RTOs might require changes at the state ordinance level. • There are very few billboards available in Collier County due to limited inventory. • Suggested a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office for community education on animal abuse. • Praised Sheriff Rambusk's dedication to the issue and recommended initiating a conversation with him. Meredith McLean • Clarified that the prior discussion likely referred to limitations in confiscating an animal despite repeated RTOs, as it's considered legally owned property. • Explained that enforcing breeder-related requirements falls under code enforcement, especially when owners object to spay/neuter procedures. • Acknowledged confusion among the public and agreed it would be beneficial to educate them on proper reporting procedures. • Confirmed willingness to reach out to the Collier County Sheriff's Office and explore billboard options or other marketing methods. • Explained the need to determine who would carry out such marketing—DAS or Sheriff’s Office—and whether it would need board or commissioner approval. • Took responsibility to start the inquiry into marketing options (e.g., billboard, social media). • Confirmed DAS could include cruelty education in their monthly social media campaigns. Sherry Rego – Law Enforcement • A county commissioner should be involved in the billboard conversation. • Billboard implementation would require going through various county channels. • The director should take the lead before pursuing other steps. • Code enforcement and funding considerations would also be involved if a billboard were pursued. Kelly Hyland • Raised concerns about the process leading to the animal cruelty case, not just the outcome. • Detailed how a neglected dog, Sammy, was repeatedly denied proper care by its owner despite citations and fines. • Questioned why the dog was initially returned to its owner before being officially removed. Chairman Harris • Reiterated concerns about the dog being returned despite its severe condition. 15 • Stressed the need for better processes to prevent neglected animals from going back to irresponsible owners. • Pointed out that similar cases have happened before, indicating a systemic issue. Jonathan Foerster • Emphasized caution when discussing ongoing legal cases, as it could impact prosecution. • Explained that legal constraints prevented immediate removal of the dog without a warrant. Meredith McLean • Stated that the dog is currently in custody of Domestic Animal Services but still legally owned by its original owner. • Acknowledged legal complexities in determining when an animal can be removed. Allen Schantzen • Suggested moving public comment further down the agenda and combining the first and last comment periods to allow shelter visitors to participate more effectively. Susan Mehas • Shared information about the Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance and praised its strong messaging. • Expressed frustration over a Neapolitan section article on caring for stray cats, believing it misrepresented key issues. • Proposed gaining media coverage through interviews or articles to promote shelter efforts. • Discussed the idea of glass or plexiglass kennel doors, referencing examples from other shelters. • Suggested identifying a county community calendar to participate in public outreach events. • Volunteered to staff an informational booth to distribute resources on spaying, neutering, and animal welfare. Chairman Harris • Confirmed that kennel door replacements were previously discussed and will be considered in future renovations. • Acknowledged uncertainty regarding the availability of a county-wide community calendar. Allen Schantzen • County agencies (sheriff, utilities, parks, waste management, etc.) share upcoming events at task force meetings. • DAS previously participated in these meetings but hasn't recently due to leadership transitions. 16 • Susan might be well-suited to represent DAS at these community gatherings. Meredith McLean • Positive news coverage of the shelter are welcome. Chairman Harris • Agreed that Sammy’s case was heartbreaking and disturbing. • Emphasized the need for a dedicated conversation to get clear answers rather than dismissing concerns and suggested making the legal constraints on animal custody an agenda item for the next meeting. • Key Questions to Address – When can intervention prevent a neglected animal from returning to its owner? What are the legal limitations? Is there flexibility in enforcement? 12. ADJOURNED Allen Schantzen motioned to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jonathan Foerster. The meeting was adjourned by the Chairman at 8:36 There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was concluded at 8:36PM Collier County Domestic Animal Services ___________________________________ Laurie Harris, Chairman These minutes were approved by the Committee/Chairman on ________________, (check one) as presented _______, or as amended ________.