DuPage County Animal Services Committee Met Feb. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chairman Brian J. Krajewski at 7:31 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: DeSart, Eckhoff, Garcia, Krajewski, Rutledge (remote)
ABSENT: Tornatore
A quorum was present in the room.
Member Krajewski stated there was a request to allow remote participation from Member Rutledge. Chairman Krajewski read Section 7(a) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Member DeSart made a motion to allow Member Rutledge to attend the meeting remotely. Seconded by Member Garcia. A roll call was taken. All were in favor. None opposed.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI
Chairman Krajewski provided an update on HB4643. HB4643 is sponsored by the pet store lobby and is intended to repeal the Humane Pet Store Law passed last year with HB1711. The Humane Pet Store law is set to take effect on February 23, 2022. HB4643 has been assigned to the House Consumer Protection Committee. At this time there appears to be enough opposition to HB4643 to prevent it moving out of committee, however if it were to move forward, there is strong support for the Humane Pet Store law in the Senate. Senator Holmes has already discussed with Senate leadership.
Chairman Krajewski mentioned that last fall the pet store lobby brought on even more lobbyists to help repeal HB1711. Furry Babies hired a well-connected lobbying firm of ex-staffers to work both sides of the aisle and be in constant communication with lawmakers. However, most lawmakers have been educated on the topic of pet stores and puppy mills thanks to the efforts of DuPage County and other entities. Senator Kern was contacted by pet store lobbyists for a meeting. Senator Kern reiterated that he was a co-sponsor of HB1711 and reaffirmed his position mirroring the DuPage County Board’s position.
Chairman Krajewski also informed the committee of State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s bill HB4641 which is also being pushed in Springfield. Filed by Representative Conroy, HB4641 gives judges greater authority to confiscate/require forfeiture of animals of offenders, including those with a suspended sentence. This bill was developed in response to recent events including the West Chicago kennel fire and is the result of Alyssa Rabulinski’s work with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
5. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Nov 16, 2021 7:30 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paula Deacon Garcia, District 2
SECONDER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
AYES: DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Krajewski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Tornatore
6. PROCUREMENT REQUISITIONS
Chairman Krajewski inquired after the status of Animal Services streamlining ordering to reduce the number of checks issued for payment, and of the amount of indirect expense incurred from the Finance Department. Laura confirmed that staff are consolidating orders. Kristie is also handling all invoice entry for Animal Services. Finance does still have some involvement in the approval workflow process for invoices and payment issuance. The Chairman asked if these changes will result in a decrease in the indirect overhead expenses charged to Animal Services. Laura stated that she hopes it will, but it has not been clearly communicated to her if and/or how these changes will impact the costs to the department. Laura stated that she would like to learn more about how the indirect costs are derived so that staff can be more effective and efficient. Chairman Krajewski stated that Animal Services was allocated an overabundance of Finance indirect costs for the department’s $2 million budget in comparison to other departments. Indirect costs were paid out of the Animal Services enterprise fund. Last year’s indirect costs totaled approximately $150,000.
A. Consent Item -- Decrease and close expired Animal Services contract with Butler Animal Health Holding (4711-0001-SERV) for veterinary pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Paula Deacon Garcia, District 2
AYES: DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Krajewski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Tornatore
7. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Laura shared 2021 shelter statistics. 2021 was a higher intake year compared to 2020. We ended the year with an 89% live release rate - up 2% from the prior year. Ten years ago the live release rate was 57%. Laura believes the increase in live release rate can be attributed to increased community engagement. The community wants us to save more lives responsibly and they are putting in the effort to share stories, donate, advocate for the animals and come up with solutions on their own. Most impressive was the increase in social media engagement. DuPage Animal Friends (DAF) funds a part time social media contractor who manages our social media channels. We doubled the number of Facebook followers. Other counties are copying our content and we are getting calls from other shelters and rescues asking about our social media strategy and success. This increased engagement gets lost animals reclaimed faster, gets animals adopted faster, results in in-kind donations of needed items, and we’ve seen huge growth in our foster program. Getting animals out to foster allows us to reserve cages for the animals that truly need them and helps us manage our intakes better, and it’s also better for the animal.
Chairman Krajewski stated that increasing the shelter live release rate was one of the challenges the Animal Services committee was faced with when it was first established in 2016. Staff were sent to attend conferences and visit shelters that were top in the country at progressive sheltering. As a result, staff were able to learn from leading shelters, bring the ideas back, and implement them which is how Animal Services has become what it is today. Additionally, our veterinarian is doing a great job of saving animals that in the past may have been euthanized.
Member DeSart mentioned from personal experience how important it is to provide services or assistance for owners in need of end-of-life services for their pet. Chairman Krajewski confirmed that while we strive to save as many animals as possible, DCAS does not market itself as no-kill since there will always be owners and animals with nowhere else to turn that will need our assistance with humane euthanasia where euthanasia is truly the most humane option. Unfortunately, while we are willing and able to assist with these cases, it does hurt us when reporting shelter statistics. Member Garcia reiterated that animal quality of life should always come first.
Laura provided an example of a hit-by-car dog transferred to DCAS by Naperville Animal Control because Naperville does not have a veterinarian on staff or the capacity to care that we can provide. DCAS was able to provide leg amputation, CT scans, other orthopedic surgeries, all made possible by donors to DAF. In cases like this Animal Services is able to provide lifesaving care and treatment for animals without having to factor in cost thanks to generous donors.
Chairman Krajewski asked if Naperville Animal Control is still transferring hard to place animals to us. Laura confirmed that we do sometimes receive animals from Naperville that their Animal Control struggles to move.
Laura stated that we try to stay away from using no-kill terminology. We instead like to look at each animal as an individual, give it the best care, and provide it the best outcome. The fact that we’re getting close to the 90% live release rate required to classify a shelter as no-kill is great, but to do all of the above responsibly is what we should celebrate.
The new pre-paid rabies tag sales process was a big win for us in 2021. We experienced a 20% increase in one-year tag sales and a 30% increase in three-year tag sales. Collection processes continue to improve and our relationship with veterinary partners is something we continue to nurture. Our goal is to be a resource for our veterinary partners.
The DCAS Humane Education program saw some big wins in 2021. We delivered over 77 programs both in person and online. We increased the education provided to other agencies including police departments, bite prevention for county employees, etc. and we’re looking to increase those opportunities. Through social media we continued to grow education in many animal topics including those not only focused on pets, but also wildlife.
Spay/Neuter in 2021 was highly successful. In addition to the hundreds of animals spayed/neutered prior to adoption and rescue transfer, we had more than 300 animals participate in the Pet Population Fund spay/neuter program. An additional $30,000 was spent on PPF program services for residents in 2021 than was originally budgeted. More than 600 cats were spayed/neutered as part of the Specialty Veterinary Vehicle spay/neuter program.
Chairman Krajewski inquired about Pet Population Fund program expenses and any surplus PPF revenue. Laura confirmed that the department spends more than is received in PPF revenue each year through the PPF voucher program for residents. If Animal Services were to also reimburse
itself for in-shelter spay/neuter of rescue transfer and adoption animals, which is allowable by law, we would more than deplete any surplus revenue that may have previously existed each year.
Member DeSart suggested that corporations such as Nicor, ComEd, Comcast, etc. might be interested in utilizing DCAS to provide training and education for their employees on bite prevention, dog body language, etc. and it could be another source of revenue. Laura stated that Animal Services also saw revenue through offering Pet CPR Certification courses and those would be returning this year after they were paused for Covid.
Laura asked for the committee’s event recommendations where the Specialty Veterinary Vehicle can attend for community education/awareness. Committee members can forward their recommendations to Laura. Staff usually attends with cats/kittens and rabbits in the vehicle.
Laura also mentioned that she and Dr. Hanek are seeking veterinarians interested in high volume spay neuter for the 2022 SVV spay/neuter season as we likely will not have Dr. VonWaldau this year. DuPage Animal Friends continues to make it possible for us to contract with outside veterinarians and Dr. Brown to provide backup and specialty veterinary services.
Member DeSart inquired about Betty White Challenge donations. Laura stated that both DCAS and DAF saw an influx of generous monetary and in-kind donations in response to the Betty White Challenge including a donation drive hosted by Villa Park Public Library.
8. MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
The Chicagoland Humane Coalition is a group of twelve area animal shelters that have met the past few years to discuss best practices, how to support people and pets in the community, and discuss issues/challenges that shelters are facing in the Chicagoland area. The group has supported one another, shared resources, transferred animals between partners, and are now aligning messaging so that shelters are communicating the same information when speaking with the public. The group is now looking to formalize their structure so that they can begin inviting more local shelters and rescue groups to participate and increase the level collaboration. Best Friends Animal Society has spearheaded getting the Chicagoland Humane Coalition off the ground.
Chairman Krajewski inquired about the DuPage Animal Sheltering Alliance which existed many years ago. Kristie stated that the intent was for the Chicagoland Humane Coalition to replace DASA and for members of the former DASA to be invited to participate in the Chicagoland Humane Coalition. Laura shared that Hinsdale Humane Society is already a member of the Chicagoland Coalition and the hope is that other DuPage shelters will also join.
A. AS-R-0084-22 RESOLUTION -- Acceptance of an agreement to become a member of the Chicagoland Humane Coalition and to enter into a Membership Agreement with Chicagoland Humane Coalition.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Paula Deacon Garcia, District 2
AYES: DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Krajewski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Tornatore
9. OLD BUSINESS
Member Garcia asked for an update on the status of the shelter renovation project. Nick shared that Animal Services and Facilities have met and a presentation is in development. Once finalized, the team will meet with Chairman Krajewski and Vice Chairman DeSart, before presenting to the Committee. Chairman Krajewski inquired after the projected amount of ARPA funds for the project. Nick provided an estimate of just under $1 million in ARPA funds. He also stated that a breakdown of funding would be included in the presentation staff is working on. Member DeSart requested the presentation include a summary of the scope of the project now, how much funding is needed right now, etc.
10. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
11. ADJOURNMENT
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