BC 2010 07 19 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

July 19, 2010 (Regular Meeting) Page 53 vetted, neutered and micro chipped. In addition, she advised the new shelter provides free spay /neuter clinics run by private funds, provides free rabies clinics and uses volunteers extensively. Jessica Juba, resident of 2875 Eagle View Place in Concord, read the following statement: Two decades ago the concept of a "no kill" community was little more than a dream. Today it is a reality in many cities and counties nationwide and the numbers continue to grow. And the first step is a decision, a commitment to reject the kill - oriented failures of the past. "No kill" starts as an act of will. The next step involves putting in place the infrastructure to save lives. Following a commitment to "no kill" is the need for accountability. Accountability means having clear definitions, a lifesaving plan and protocols and procedures oriented towards preserving life. But accountability also allows and indeed requires flexibility. Too many shelters lose sight of this principle staying right with their shelter protocols, believing these are engraved in stone and they are not. Protocols are important because they ensure accountability from the staff. But protocols without flexibility can have the opposite effect. Stifling innovation, causing lives to be needlessly lost and allowing shelter employees who fail to save lives to hide behind a paper trail. The decision to end an animal's life is an extremely serious one and should always be treated as such. No matter how many animals a shelter kills, each and every animal is an individual and each deserves individual consideration. And finally to meet the challenge that "no kill" entails, shelter leadership needs to get the community excited, to energize people for the task at hand by working with people, implementing lifesaving programs and treating each life as a precious life. A shelter can transform a community. The mandatory programs and services include: feral cat TNR Program, high- volume /low- volume spay and neuter clinics, rescue groups, foster care, comprehensive adoption programs, pet retention, medical and behavior rehabilitation, public relations community involvement, volunteers, proactive redemptions and most importantly a compassionate director. But it is clear that "no kill" is simply not achievable without rigorous implementation of each and every one of these programs and services. These programs provide the only model which has ever created a "no kill" community. Declaring a resolution to become a "no kill" community that is committed to reducing shelter intake and saving and adopting out every healthy animal will absolutely energize and excite the community and the media and will be met with an overwhelming response as it has in every community that has committed to becoming a "no kill" community. Not only that, by formally directing the shelter to form a community coalition with rescue groups, veterinarians and volunteers, not only will we immediately begin saving animals overnight, we can access millions of dollars in funding and grants available for such coalition. A discussion ensued related to animal control issues, including the concept of hiring an adoption director. The Animal Protection and Preservation Advisory Committee was charged with investigating and providing preliminary information on "no kill" shelters. Price Crutchfield, resident of 592 Love Street in Concord, stated he supports the previous speakers' views and owns many cats himself. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Concord Police Department, citing unfair treatment by the Department. With there being no one else to address the Board, Chairman White closed that portion of the meeting. (E) OLD BUSINESS None. (F) CONSENT AGENDA (F -1) Aging - Approval of Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Funding Plan for FY 2011 - $830,373.00