DASAC Minutes 02/18/2026February 18, 2026
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COLLIER COUNTY
DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Naples, Florida,
February 18, 2026
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Domestic Animal Services Advisory
Committee, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date
at 6 p.m. for a MEETING at Growth Management Community Development Department Room
609/610 2800 N. Horseshoe DR. Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Allen Schantzen
Michele Antonia
Kelly Hyland -Absent
Susan Mehas
County Staff in Attendance:
Meredith McLean, Director, Domestic Animal Services
Diane Lynch, Growth Management, Management Analyst
Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the audio
recording from Domestic Animal Services.
I. Call to order
II. Roll Call- Establish a Quorum
A quorum of 3 was confirmed.
III.Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
IV.Approval of agenda
Motion to approve- Susan Mehas
Motion seconded- Michele Antonia
Motion passed unanimously
V.Agenda and Minutes
a. Meeting minutes January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
Michele Antonia- Page 6-Question x 2. Page 8 should read “Meredith” McLean
Allen Shantzen- To correct Advisory “Board” To Advisory “Committee” as needed
throughout minutes.
Motion to approve- Michele Antonia
Motion seconded- Susan Mehas
Motion passed unanimously
VI. Public comment- Items not addressed on this agenda
None
VII. Public comment- Agenda Items in Sequence
VIII. Staff Updates
a. Leadership Report- Meredith McLean
Total intake 522- 37 Owner surrender. 411 Strays. 54 Confiscated. 20 Transferred in.
215 Adoptions. 70 RTO animals.
113 Transfers out. 15 Euthanized. 70 TNR RTO Cats.
Transfer out of shelter- Dogs 21, Cats 91, Other 1, Total 113
Overall increase in Transfers out 32.2%. Dogs 30%, Cats 29.6%
Live Release rate- 96%. Save Rate- 95%
Adoptions- 3% Increase
Allen Schantzen- Are the 30-day returns included in these numbers
Meredith McLean- Those are not included. I can break it out and bring the numbers
back to the committee.
Susan Mehas- Where do you put Save a Life and Confiscations
Meredith McLean- Save a Life is a separate number, not state-mandated.
Confiscations are included.
Collier County Purr and Play- Grand opening March 4, 2026. 900 sq ft designed for
cats and human social interaction. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 9 am-4 pm. 45
minutes sessions.
Staffing- Marketing Coordinator has started. Reviewing calendars, events, and
schedules. Customer Service Representative with HR. 2 Customer Service positions
are still open. The Behavior Coordinator is with HR. Animal Care Specialist-
application period has closed. Will be reviewing candidates. The 2nd Veterinarian
position is open.
Adoption Contract- Still working. We should have it by our next meeting.
Ordinances- No answer yet.
Allen Shanzten- Can we have a facilities update at our next meeting
Meredith McLean- They will be presenting at our next meeting to give a full update.
Allen Shanzten- Would like to see Capital projects planned over the next 18 months.
February 18, 2026
IX. Old Business
a. Seat Nominations Update
Districts 2 and 3- Confirmed Commissioners will support our nominations. They will
be voted on at the March 10 BOCC meeting and will be at our next meeting
scheduled for March 18, 2026.
The at-large position doesn’t require BOCC or District support.
Allen Shantzen- District 1 is still open
Meredith McLean- Correct
b. Marketing Updates & Attending Outreach Events
Meredith McLean- Email of upcoming events was sent to committee members for
review
Kitten College- 25 Registered
X. New Business
a. New Applications, District 1 Seat- Attachment 2
Allen Schantzen- Applicants are not present. Kelly is absent. We will wait until the
next committee meeting to vote.
i. Batista
ii. Cirillo
iii. Hyland
b. Animal Intake; Reporting Reason
Meredith McLean- Kelly was going to talk about this—no context with submission.
Push to next meeting.
Allen Schantzen- Do not adopt a list for offenders
Susan Mehas- Who do we report slaughterhouses to?
Meredith McLean- I can look into that for you.
c. Adoption Process and Aftercare
Meredith McLean- Submission from Kelly/Follow-up
Allen Shantzen- Aftercare. Follow up and follow through on sensitive cases with the
Sheriff’s office. For non-emergency cases, call the non-emergency phone number. For
injured animals, the same number rings out to code. Can we have that clarified on the
website? Nothing states “for emergencies.”
Susan Mehas- Dispatch said they are available from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., 365 Days a year.
Please get our number out so people stop calling DAS and start calling dispatch. 2
Main lost pet pages have been updated.
February 18, 2026
Allen Schantzen- Who no we can for a wellness check
Meredith McLean- Through Code Enforcement, but it has to be a valid reason. Gets
entered through the Animal Code chain.
Susan Mehas- Do we have a "Do not Adopt' list yet
Meredith McLean- No central database except the Florida State Required database.
XI. Advisory Committee Member comments
Susan Mehas- How are the foster numbers
Meredith McLean- We are working on streamlining the process. We want to grow
our foster program. The foster to adopt list is dwindling down.
Allen Schanzten- Can we have the main DAS webpage updated with a list of
Frequently Asked Questions with answers
Meredith McLean- Yes, I like that idea.
Public Comment- Victoria Redstall on item A New Business -
I would still like to be considered for a seat on the committee. I have great ideas for
reducing the population and would like to be a part of the committee.
XII. Next Meeting
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
XIII. Adjourn
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was concluded at
6:45 pm.
Collier County Domestic Animal Services
Allen
These minutes were approved by the Committee/ Chairman on/(check one) as
presented or as amended