MyPetGazette -  county's animal advisory panel

Susie Forrester

   With staff members from Escambia County's Animal Services looking on, the county's new Animal Control Advisory Committee finally got off the ground last week with its first meeting.

   The panel, composed of a rescue group volunteer, two veterinarians and other residents, was created by the County Commission to provide advice on Animal Services policies and other related issues.  One such issue the commission already has sent over to the panel is a possible anti-tethering ordinance. Grover Robinson, District 4 commissioner, brought up the issue this past spring.

  Members include: George Felt, chairman; Cynthia Farrar, vice-chairwoman; Cara T. Overhalser, secretary; veterinarian Dr. Regina Case; veterinarian Dr. Mike Henderson; Doris Parker, and Christina Hernandez.

   Felt asked his fellow committee members to compile a list of ideas or goals each would like to see the committee to consider in the months ahead and be prepared to share them at the meeting in September.

   From Animal Services: Marilyn Wesley, deputy of Community Affairs which oversees Animal Services, invited each committee member to visit the shelter which recently completed reorganization, moving the business office away from their greeting area. She also introduced the two veterinarians now working at the shelter, Dr. Clifford Owens and his wife Ann, who are now seeing animals and performing spay and neuter surgeries. They have completed 627 surgeries on dogs and 231 on cats since March.  Stordahl shared information about a new volunteer program the shelter staff hopes to introduce this fall.

  Attending the meeting: Animal Services staff including Candace Stordahl, division manager, and Phyllis Trout, kennel supervisor; five Pensacola-area pet rescue group volunteers and pet-owners group representatives.

1. ✦   Read the resolution establishing the Advisory Committee.
   

2. ✦   Visit Animal Services Web site

The new panel

   The Escambia County Advisory Committee for Animal Services will meet monthly and welcome public comment for the first 30 minutes of each meeting.

   Members were appointed by the commission and will serve three years.

Next meeting

What: Advisor Committee for Animal Services meeting.

When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Where: Miller Recreation Center,  2819 N. Miller Street, Pensacola.

County animal advisory group convenes

Susie Forrester

  George Felt, chairman of Escambia County's new Animal Control Advisory Committee started the panel's second meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, by encouraging each member to list and prioritize goals for the group.

   He cited his two top goals as the successful launch of Animal Services' new volunteer program, set to go online this fall, and a prisoner dog obedience program, which would allow inmates to work with animals at the shelter on a regular basis. He said he already had a commitment from an area obedience trainer to volunteer her services.

   Of the shelter's volunteer program, which will include orientation and training, Felt listed several specifics he'd like to see developed, including: having a volunteer at the shelter during all operating hours; launching an application process for potential adopters;  allowing volunteers to provide obedience training;  collecting more information from the owners when a pet it is left at the shelter; stating a proactive program of bringing together new owners and shelter pets. He also mentioned supporting the idea of volunteers making home visits to newly adopted pets.

   Committee member Dr. Regina Case stressed the need for breed-knowledgeable volunteers who could help potential owners select the best pet for their family and lifestyle. She also introduced the idea of a rotating volunteer schedule so that all areas in need at the shelter are met and that volunteers learn about the entire program.

   Volunteer application forms and a manuel soon will be available to download on the Animal Services Web site, according to Marilyn Wesley, deputy of Community Affairs which oversees Animal Services.

  During the discussions, Dr. Sandy Urich, one of the veterinarians working at Animal Services, outlined the benefits of adding a volunteer to the reception area

The panel

   The Escambia County Advisory Committee for Animal Services will meet monthly and welcome public comment for the first 30 minutes of each meeting.

Next meeting

What: Advisor Committee for Animal Services meeting.

When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Where: Miller Recreation Center,  2819 N. Miller Street, Pensacola.

Details

1. ✦   Read the resolution establishing the committee.
   

2. ✦   Visit Animal Services Web site
   

3. ✦  Read about the first meeting in September.

New shelter volunteer program discussed

to help when animals are left by their owners. She said if more information was gathered from owners during the "intake" process, the animal's wait time to be declared "adoptable" could be reduced. Often, she said, some animals wait several days before being declared adoptable, but the pet's wait could be shortened if more information was gathered initially. Extended waits bring undue stress to an animal already stressed just being in new surroundings.

   On the October agenda: approving a mission statement; establishing goals and objectives; improving the intake process; and the county's low cost spay and neuter program. A possible anti-tethering ordinance will be on the November agenda.

  Panel members at the meeting: George Felt, chairman; Cara T. Overhalser, secretary; veterinarian Dr. Regina Case; veterinarian Dr. Mike Henderson; and Doris Parker, Absent were Cynthia Farrar and Christina Hernandez; both had sent word they would not be present.

   Questions/comments from the public: While one woman criticized the staff's negative attitude in regard to cats, most public questions involved how the panel will operate, when specific issues would be on the agenda, and whether the panel will play a role in educating the public about animal-related issues and/or promoting adoption events. Both Felt and Wesley said the panel's role is to advice the county commissioners on issues related to Animal Services.

   Lois Silverstein, a member of the Pensacola Dog Owners Association, noting that one panelist had not yet attended a meeting, asked whether there would be a policy concerning absenteeism. Wesley said the absenteeism would be reported to the committee member's commissioner who appointed her and the commissioner' would decide if a new member was needed.

Break the chain... Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...

Break the chain... Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...Break the chain...

How do you feel about dogs that live their lives at the end of a chain?

Yeah, I hate it, too.

So join me at the Escambia County Advisory Committee for Animal Services

at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17,

at Miller Recreation Center, 2917 N. Miller Street, Pensacola.

On the agenda ......  an anti-chaining ordinance.