Orange County NC Website
Dawn Roberts Aye <br /> Brenda Scott Aye <br /> Mark Solomon Aye <br /> Lucia Welborne <br /> New Business <br /> OCAS Updates <br /> o Dr. Strong provided a review of her first year as Director at OCAS <br /> ■ Reopened to the public post-pandemic. <br /> ■ Closed the night drop (inconsistent with current sheltering norms because sick <br /> and injured animals were being left there). <br /> ■ Switched to managed intake for owner surrenders which includes providing <br /> tools to the owner to rehome their pet. The spares the pet the stress of being <br /> left at a shelter. <br /> ■ Dramatically expanded the feline foster program which reduced the in-shelter <br /> population from—250 a year ago to—100 now. <br /> ■ Supporting community TNVR efforts with a PetCo grant for free spay/neuter. <br /> ■ The volunteer program has been revamped and modernized so volunteers do <br /> initial training online and then progress to in-shelter training. This is much <br /> more efficient for staff and potential volunteers and ensure that volunteers <br /> understand the program before coming in for additional training. <br /> ■ Obtained approval and funding for a full time veterinarian. There has been <br /> significant staff turnover and only remaining open positions are the <br /> veterinarian and a vet assistant. <br /> ■ Expanded internship programs in animal husbandry and veterinary assistants <br /> including establishing a paid internship program with NC A&T for a vet <br /> assistant intern. <br /> ■ Initiated weekly leadership meetings to further team efforts in continuous <br /> quality improvement, training, and providing a supportive working <br /> environment. <br /> o Upcoming events: <br /> ■ Aug 25th OCAS will be at Gateway with Social & Human Services for a Back <br /> to School event. They will be providing animal education to the families. <br /> ■ Aug 27th is the national Clear the Shelter event which is the culmination of a <br /> month of programs to encourage adoption. Adoption fees are waived at the <br /> event on Aug 27th. Pre-pandemic this has been a huge event that succeeded in <br /> finding homes for every adoptable dog at OCAS one year. OCAS will have <br /> three surgery days this coming week to spay and neuter all animals that will <br /> be available for adoption during the event. <br /> Beagle Rescue/Virginia Breeding Facility <br /> o There was a mass seizure of—5,000 research beagles from a breeding facility in <br /> Virginia due to inhumane conditions. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />