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Animal Services Advisory Board <br />June 18h, 2008 Meeting <br />Approved Minutes <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />the correct internal temperatures while transporting animals from the field to the shelter <br />location for intake process. <br /> <br />Groundbreaking Ceremony—Paula Ragan reported that the new Animal Services Center <br />groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 5th, 200, the hottest day of the year! Despite the heat it was a <br />great success and she thanked everyone for attending and helping to organize the event. Ms. Ragan gave <br />special thanks to Ms. Sarah Fallin for working with her to prepare for the event and a special thanks to <br />Ms. Jessica Allison for coming out the day of the event to help with set up. There were approximately 55- <br />60 people that attended the event. Speakers included Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director, Barry <br />Jacobs, Chair of County Commissioners, Moses Carey, Jr. Commissioner and ASAB Board Liaison, <br />Laura Blackmon, County Manager, and Ross Oglesbee and Susan Elmore, ASAB Chair and Vice-Chair.. <br /> <br />Spring Cookout—Jessica Allison reported that the Animal Shelter held a very successful Spring Cookout <br />on May 31st, 2008. Andi Morgan helped to organize two volunteer bands that provided free entertainment <br />and Sarah Fallin organized the booths that included face paintings, free hotdogs and a scavenger hunt. <br />Approximately 100 people attended and there were some animals adopted due to the event. <br /> <br />Animal Control Staff Update—Ms. Irene Phipps announced that Animal Control Officer Harvey Melton <br />would be retiring on July 1st, 2008 after 24 years of service with Orange County. There will be a <br />gathering held at the Food Lab located in the Carr Building in Hillsborough on June 30th from 2 p.m.-4 <br />p.m., everyone is invited to attend to wish him farewell. <br /> <br />Rabies & Rabies Clinic Updates—Irene Phipps announced that two clinics were being held today, one in <br />the morning at Fairview Park in Hillsborough and the other this evening in the Annex Building Parking <br />lot in Hillsborough. There have been a total of 567 vaccines administered to date at 10 clinics. Ms. <br />Phipps reported that there are 11 clinics remaining this year and the goal is exceed last year’s total <br />(1157 vaccinations). So far this year there have been ten positive rabies cases, and six of these occurred <br />in the month of May. <br /> <br />Marketing and Outreach—Andi Morgan gave an overview of a handout describing how marketing and <br />outreach is being done via Petharbor and Petfinder. She gave some statistical reports from the Animal <br />Service website adoption page and Petfinder views comparing 2007 to 2008 showing an increase in the <br />number of “hits.” On Petfinder we now average anywhere from 13,000 to 21,000 “hits” per month, and <br />we are getting approximately five times as many views as the average Petfinder Shelter group. <br /> <br />Additionally, Ms. Morgan provided posters, display ads and features that are distributed throughout the <br />community. Adoption promotions also include the “ pet of the week” advertised in the News of Orange, <br />Chapel Hill News, Carrboro Citizen and Channel 265. Another area of outreach includes public <br />education regarding issues such as tethering (pending BOCC action) plus fee and fine increases and <br />rabies and rabies control. Upcoming initiatives include the promotion of animal adoptions and the <br />recovery of lost animals by owners and custodians; spay/neuter outreach and education; and the opening <br />of the County’s new Animal Services Center facility. <br /> <br /> <br />