DuPage County Animal Services Committee met March 21
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Brian Krajewski at 7:30 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Cynthia Cronin Cahill, Grant Eckhoff, Paula Garcia, Krajewski and Sheila Rutledge
LATE: District 5 Dawn DeSart
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were offered.
Member Chang Evans introduced and Chair Krajewski welcomed four students from Hinsdale Central AP U.S. Government class along with their teacher who were in attendance.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI
No remarks were offered.
5. MINUTES APPROVAL
5.A. 23-1145
Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Attachments: Minutes_Animal_Services_Committee_23-02-21
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Sheila Rutledge
SECONDER: Paula Garcia
6. PROCUREMENT REQUISITIONS
6.A. AS-P-0048-23
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Nicor Gas, to provide natural gas distribution services, as needed for Animal Services, for the four-year period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2027, for a contract total not to exceed $100,000. (Public Utility)
Attachments: Nicor - Procurement Review Comprehensive Checklist (PRCC)
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Paula Garcia
SECONDER: Sheila Rutledge
7. GRANTS
7.A. FI-R-0094-23
Acceptance and Appropriation of Interest Earned on Investment for the DuPage Animal Friends Foundation Coordinator FY22 Grant, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1310, $1,000. (Animal Services)
Chair Krajewski inquired as to the status of the Foundation Coordinator position. Laura explained that the position is active and that it is grant funded. Once allocated grant funding runs out, the DAF board will be approached to issue a new grant to cover position costs.
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill
SECONDER: Paula Garcia
7.B. FI-R-0095-23
Acceptance and Appropriation of Interest Earned on Investment for the DuPage Animal Friends Phase II Capital Project Grant, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1310, $100,000. (Animal Services)
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill
SECONDER: Paula Garcia
8. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Last week Animal Services along with Best Friends Animal Society hosted 37 officers from 21 different police departments for the first ever all-day Field Services workshop. Topics included: ways to increase return-to-owner in the field, ways to handle wildlife calls, resolving community conflict with outdoor cats, etc. Representatives from each department left with a field service supply kit containing a microchip scanner, slip leads, a top-open pet carrier, treats, etc. Staff received very positive feedback and officers indicated they would like to see more similar training opportunities offered. Strengthening partnerships with other community organizations is important to DCAS because we cannot do this work alone. Many times the officers in the field are the first ones to receive and respond to animal-related calls and concerns.
April 20th marks the official kick-off of the 2023 Specialty Veterinary Vehicle season and Trap-Neuter-Return surgeries for Feral Fixers cats.
The calendar is also filling up with community outreach events where the vehicle will be featured. Laura requested that if any committee member has a request for Animal Services to participate in any community event with or without the vehicle this summer or fall, to please let her know as soon as possible as the calendar is filling up fast. Member Rutledge suggested Danada Fall Festival. Laura indicated that DCAS participated on both days in 2022 but based on feedback would likely only participate for one day this year as all-day events can be hard on shelter animals.
[Member DeSart arrived at 7:40 AM.]
The Chicagoland Humane Coalition (area shelters/rescues that pool resources and identify areas where our shelters can work together to reduce euthanasia rates and help keep pets with owners) is re-launching their Chicago Dog Campaign. Last year’s campaign was primarily a communications campaign aimed at increasing interest in and dispelling myths surrounding bully breed and pitbull-type dogs which are filling Chicagoland shelters and foster homes. DCAS is no exception. Laura reminded the committee that DCAS has a program where vouchers for free spay/neuter are given to owners of pitbull-type dogs.
This year, as part of the Chicago Dog Campaign re-launch, a new coordinated return-to-home effort will kick off to increase the re-homing of these at-risk and often misunderstood dogs. The goal of this effort is to get these animals out of shelters and back into homes faster. Participating shelters include: DCAS, Chicago Animal Care & Control, Hinsdale Humane, Anti-Cruelty Society, South Suburban Humane Society, Evanston Humane Society, among others. Coalition groups represent a wide geographic area. These shelters will be joining forces with 24Pet Health to launch their new Pet Connect lost & found platform in the Chicagoland area. As part of this initiative, partners will hold a 24-hour microchip event on Saturday, June 24th with each shelter choosing a time frame to host the event at their shelter.
The ability to collaborate with other shelters in the Chicagoland area has been very valuable as the coalition continues to come up with innovative ways to save more animal lives and keep families together.
June 6th is the new date for the shelter groundbreaking ceremony. Kristie will send a calendar invitation to the committee. A presentation will be made at the April committee meeting to provide everyone with an update on building construction.
The date of the Volunteer Appreciation Reception is now Saturday, April 15th and will be held at the West Chicago Park District. All committee members are welcome to attend.
9. OLD BUSINESS
No old business was discussed.
10. NEW BUSINESS
No new business was discussed.
11. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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