AS-07OCT2008Animal Services
Minutes of Meeting
October 7, 2008
The Coppell Animal Services Board met on October 7, 2008 at 4:30pm, in the Animal
Shelter, 821 S. Coppell Rd., Coppell, Texas. The following members were present: Tom
Sawyer, Reid Garfield and Tressa Broadhead. City Liaisons Heather Hedrick, Derrick
Watson, and Margaret Macheca, were present.
Item 1: Call Meeting to Order
Tressa Broadhead, Board President called the meeting to order at 4:56pm.
Item 2: Monthly Report by shelter manager, Heather Hedrick
Heather told the Board about the Halloween Costume contest. Tressa asked about
having signs made. Heather further explained that the City no longer has a dedicated
department to making signs and that all signs were made through contract with M Signs.
The price of signs would detract from the donations made through the contest.
Heather talked about the City's new microchipping program. The shelter is
microchipping adopted animals using the 24PetWatch microchip. The shelter is also
microchipping animals for the citizens of Coppell at no charge, though a donation is
requested. The registration for the microchip is done by the shelter which eliminates the
problem of having microchipped animals that do not trace back to their owners when lost.
Mr. Sawyer asked about the possibility of computerizing the monthly report. Dr.
Garfield suggested the application of an excel spreadsheet. Heather noted that the report
is generated from numerous sources and not conducive to computer inputs. We
concluded that we would work towards a computerized report.
Ms. Broadhead noted the low euthansia rates for the shelter when compared to
other area shelter/rescue organizations.
Dr. Garfield asked about the necropsies and positive rabies test results. Heather
noted that we had one positive result, a bat. Dr. Garfield and Heather then discussed the
notification that the rabies treatment for humans has a limited supply and that decisions
have to be made by physicians regarding the real possibility of exposure.
Item 3: Mandatory Spay/Neuter Discussion
Ms. Broadhead gave a summary of the City of Dallas' new "Intact Animal
Permit" ordinance. She also pointed out several other US cities that have similar
ordinances or laws regarding breeding. Then Ms. Broadhead pointed out that several
people in Coppell are breeding purebred dogs for sale. She then asked if anything is done
about those people. Heather explained that there is no city ordinance that restricts private
breeders only commercial operations. Mr. Sawyer then asked what the number of litters
qualifies as "commercial." There is no defination in city ordinance. Capt. Watson then
told the Board that this is an issue that can be brought to the City Council by board
members but not by city employees. He also said that he could direct them to
councilmemebers that might be receptive to animal issues.
Ms. Broadhead then asked Dr. Garfield and Mr. Sawyer if it was an idea they
wanted to bring to council. Mr. Sawyer expressed his desire to have a limit on the
number of litters to avoid the slippery slope of becoming a puppy mill.
Heather then expressed her concerns about the logistics of having a mandatory
spay/neuter ordinance. She pointed out that Dallas has an in-house vet to perform
spay/neuter operations but for Coppell citizens it would require greater expense and man
hours even to make sure impounded animals are spayed/neutered.
Dr. Garfield then expressed concern about telling people that they are required to
do or not to do something. However, he countered that an increase in the registration fee
for intact animals would deter some while allowing people to make the choice. The
board concurred. The idea was then brought forth to increase the intact animal
registration fee to $95.00.
Capt. Watson and Heather clarified that none of the money that comes into the
City as a result of the increase in fees would come directly to the shelter. All funds
collected by the shelter go into the City's general fund. The only exception are donations
that come marked as such.
Ms. Broadhead then made a motion to propose something to the city council
regarding a change in fees. Dr. Garfield seconded the motion. Ms. Broadhead said that
she would make the proposal and talk with the other members of the board regarding the
exact nature of the program.
Item 4: New Year/New City Tag Program
Heather explained that the billing of the vets for city tags has been resolved. Each
vet now gets an invoice each month. She also mentioned that apartment complexes are
being cooperative and informing new residents about registration requirements.
A question was raised about the amount of time that a new resident was permitted
to live in Coppell before registering an animal. It was stated that there is no time limit
but that a provision related to such could be included in the new registration fees
ordinance.
Heather told the board that license renewals are now being sent one month prior
to license expiration.
Item 5: Volunteers
A brief discussion about the possibility of opening the shelter for volunteer
opportunities was held. Several points were made about the opportunity to expand
shelter activities were made. Capt. Watson and Heather said that the police department's
policy on volunteers was not really negotiable. Capt. Watson mentioned that he would
invite Chief Osborne to the next meeting to discuss the issue.
Item 6: Bark in the Park
Ms. Broadhead mentioned that Bark in the Park is being held on October 26 and
inquired about the shelters participation. Heather said that we would not be attending as
we only have one staff member working on Saturdays and in the past they have gotten
called away from the event for emergencies. It was pointed out that the event brings a
great educational opportunity with so many pet owners in one place. It was decided that
we would put together a table with a display and paperwork for the event.
Item 7: Adjournment
Tressa adjourned the meeting at 6:15pm.
Tressa Broadhead, Board President
Margaret checa, Recording Secretary