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Failure to have written procedures for shelter management after six months. <br />Paying APS $30 per animal for trivial microchip insertion that could be done by staff. <br />This is in addition to the $60 per animal spay/neuter fee contracted for. This and the <br />veterinarian performed rabies vaccinations cost the County over $6,000 in three months. <br />Failure to obtain documentation of physical exams required by contract at the Nicks <br />Road Clinic. For example, one cat was spayed and adopted out with a heart murmur. The <br />owner has been referred to NC State for treatment at a cost of hundreds of dollars. <br />Keeping too many cats in the cat room. There are 38 cages, twice as many as under <br />Pat Sanford. HSUS says that there should be "no more than fifteen adult cats or twenty kittens <br />in a 10-by-15-foot room." There were 37 cats in the adoption wing on October 30t" and 137 <br />listed in the October 1St shelter report. This misguided warehousing approach is undoubtedly <br />responsible far the shelter's failure to control disease, given the lack of air exchange in the cat <br />roam. Where are these 137 cats? <br />Failure to have foster procedures or adequate faster documentation in place after six <br />months. <br />Failure to have procedures or records for transfer of animals to APS or rescue groups. <br />One such rescue group proudly says that, "We are no-kill, and adoptable animals may stay with <br />us weeks, months, even years before they find their forever home." <br />Whelping puppies in the shelter and contributing to the overpopulation problem; for <br />example, spending $400 of County funds to treat the pregnant mother for heartworm when <br />many others are euthanized." <br />End of Mr. Gramer's comments. <br />Judith Reitman said that she supported the County takeover and she respects John <br />Link, but things are not good at the shelter. She said that the whole purpose of losing APS was <br />to become transparent. She would like to know the background of the current shelter manager. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she remembers going in a couple of years ago and <br />looking at the shelter and talking to Laura Walters. One of her first questions was if there was a <br />procedures manual, and there was not one. This has always been her concern, that the <br />operation would have procedures. She asked about the procedures for addressing concerns <br />that come up. <br />John Link said that Orange County has been operating the shelter for four months and <br />they are operating under interim procedures based on templates given by the HSUS. He <br />respects everyone's opinions and concerns. He said that there are people on this task force <br />that have worked hard and he trusts them as the crucible to hear these complaints and any <br />other complaints. He said that they could spend as much time as it takes to work through the <br />procedures and tweak the policies. It will be an ongoing evolution. He has the utmost respect <br />and confidence in Joe Pulcinella. He said that in the short term the task force can address <br />these issues and provide insight to the management and the County Commissioners, and in the <br />future, the advisory board would address these issues first. <br />Gwen Harvey said that Chameleon software is in place and is the backbone for the data <br />for managing the animal population. The staff is in training with the Information Technology <br />Department. The intention is to have a very transparent system and it will take a lot of time and <br />effort. It is a work in progress. <br />Discussion ensued about haw long the task force would continue to meet. <br />Commissioner Carey said that the task force would proceed until it is sunset. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if she wanted to see the procedures manual if it would be <br />available. Gwen Harvey said yes and that it has been in practice since July 1St. She will provide <br />each County Commissioner with a draft copy. Chair Jacobs asked that a copy be put on the <br />website. <br />A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey to: <br />