5:35 PM
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Present Commissioners,
Pam Hemphill, Angela
Padilla, Philip Gerrie, Andrea Brooks, Sally Stephens, Vicky Guldbech – ACC
Absent
Commissioners, Laurie
Kennedy-Routhier, William Herndon
SF Police, David Gordon DVM, Bob Palacio – Rec & Park
2. General Public Comment
Hope Johnson - On April 15th the US announced
that it would allow hunting of grey whales. The first time hunting is allowed
since 1986. The Western Alliance Nature is doing a rally with coastal
counties on Sunday, May 23 in
front of City Hall. It is hosted by Greenpeace and Supervisor Mirkarimi.
Problem with lifting the ban is not much oversight on violators.
Richard Fong – Update of Park wildlife issues. Mitigation on
the Light Brown Apple Moth, LBAM, which will include the Grey Moth. Lawsuit
brought by City Attorney joined with Alameda County to sue the Food and Agriculture Dept. of CA. to have no-action of spraying on GG Park since it is urban not
agricultural . The soccer field project at Beach Chalet has been put on hold
for an EIR.
3. Approval of Draft Minutes from April 8, 2010 Meeting
Cynthia Cox – Clarify comment made on 6B about being
angry about importing
out-of-county dogs and cats. And
Karen Langley’s continuation about
being angry that ACC volunteer
notes were ignored about a cat,
Valentine, making significant progress yet euthanized anyway.
Richard Fong – Bill Herndon was in favor of more deputies
for ACC not a behaviorist trainer .
Minutes approved unanimously with corrections from the
public
4. Chairperson’s Report and opening remarks
A) Update on Rules
Committee hearing to fill expired appointments to the Commission
Comr. Stephens – Three seats are expiring. Two filled by the
public. One by a vet practicing
in SF. Hearing is tentatively scheduled by the Rules Committee for June 3rd.
No public
comment
5. Status and tracking of letters of recommendation from the Commission to
theBoard
A) Update on recommendation that the Board pass an ordinance amending the Annual Salary
Ordinance to create a
classification for Senior Behaviorist /trainer and an Assistant Behaviorist/trainer positions .
Comr. Brooks – Difficulty in getting appointments to see
aides to Supervisors. Has two appointments set for next week. Will be reporting
back in the next month or two.
Alongside this effort, Pets are Wonderful Support, PAWS, and ACC are partnering
to provide pay-what-you-can behavior classes.
Comr. Hemphill – Is it cats and dogs?
Comr. Brooks -
Unclear right now. Still in the planning stage. Agencies excited about doing this. Accessible to the public.
Comr. Stephens – Where will this be held?
Comr. Brooks – Plan is for it to be held in the new
permanent home for PAWS in the
Mission. Space is bigger so can provide more educational classes there. Sees effort to provide behavior
assistance is a way to prevent
shelter surrenders. Public can come in for help versus just talking to someone
over the phone.
5 A) Public comment
L-Danyielle Yacabucci – There are more cat issues than dog
issues in SF. More cats are surrendered than dogs. Wants attention paid to
them.
Julene Johnson – fixsanfrancisco.org – Thanks PAWS & ACC
for this collaboration . It is needed.
6. New Business
A) Presentation of an overview of animal welfare and
related management issues at the zoo by Deniz Bolbol, a zoo critic and
activist. Bolbol’s presentation will include a recap of recent events, current
issues, the zoo’s future, and recommendations for the Commission.
Deniz Bolbol – Has been monitoring the zoo for the past five
years. Tanya Peterson has been at the helm for the past two years. Want to see
what is actually happening at the
zoo in the past two years. Animal welfare was supposed to be an important
consideration. The theme tonight
is, “This is not a money issue. It is a management issue.” This is about using existing money wisely , making small changes that will improve animals lives. There are no
qualifications to be on the Zoological Board. The Board fired Molanedo in December 2007. There has been no
significant changes on the Zoological Board since then. Both zoo
management and Board members
remain the same. Animal welfare is not their underlying principle . Doesn’t
matter who is in charge. Business as usual. Legislation to change zoo into
rescue zoo lost by only two votes. Bevan Dufty teamed up with Carl Friedman to
defeat the legislation.
Legislation could come back
again in the future and pass. Even though it lost, it brought awareness to the
issue.
There
are cheap inexpensive ways to currently improve animal welfare that are not
being done. I will be telling you
what they are so you can make recommendations to the Zoological society. It may seem like your recommendations
may fall on deaf ears but it is important to put them in writing. Shows video
and slides of SF Zoo. Shows entrance to the zoo, looks like a park. 80% of the
land at the zoo is used for visitor amenities. One of the foundations for the zoo ought to be dedicating the vast majority of space to the
animals. By having large open spaces for visitors it
conveys the idea that this is an amusement type of park. The Zoological Society still believes that becoming
a botanical garden is
important. That deflects from
animal welfare. Shows Baird’s
Tapir in an open enclosure.
Natural habitat is tropical grasslands and marshes. Enclosure next to
him is empty. Suggests breaking a hole in the separating wall to double the space for the Baird’s
Tapir. Director Peterson knows
about this idea but hasn’t acted on it in 24 months. It can be done
immediately and inexpensively to improve conditions for the Tapir. Shows picture of cement wall in Asian rhino
exhibit with painting of bamboo to
make it look better for visitors. Shows picture of back wall in grey seal
exhibit with clouds painted on
it. Enclosures are 70 years old.
Nothing has been done to improve life for Orky, the grey seal. The South
American building is being
renovated. The zoo wants to bring in rescue parrots and other parrots for breeding.
Urges Commission to make a recommendation that no parrots be brought in from other zoos for breeding
purposes. Birds currently at the
zoo should be given better living conditions. Only lastly should rescue birds
be brought in.Shows photo of bird chained to a stand. Shows photo of the full
flight African Aviary. Needs more
of same at the zoo. Large netting
supported by poles is not expensive to build and would be beneficial for birds
forced to live in small cages.
Shows the three polar bear enclosures. Currently bears alternate to have access to unused middle
enclosure. A hole was cut in the wall to allow access. Good solution by the
zoo. Bob Jenkins defended stereotypic pacing behavior as not being detrimental .to the bears. Disagrees. Is psychotic
response and is abnormal
behavior. Shows big cats
enclosures. Could also cut a hole in the wall as was done for the bears. Aging
tiger, Tony, was caught in the
moat and couldn’t get out. When he dies, his enclosure should not be filled by
another large cat but be used for
the other cats to have more space. Should recommend that the Snow Leopard be
sent to another facility. Is currently
kept in a very small area.
Shows Black Rhino, hippo, and Giant Eland enclosures.
In 2007 three Giant Elands were brought to the zoo. Two were killed by
one eland which still remains. Giant Elands are herd animals, being alone is
like solitary confinement.
Recommended to Tanya
Peterson that the one be returned to San Diego or some better facility to be with other
elands. Zoo currently wants to bring in more Giant Elands. Black Rhino is in
the middle enclosure. Recommended
that Eland be sent away and open up that space for the Black Rhinos. Enclosure to the left was the hippo enclosure but
they died before completion. They should not try to bring in another hippo.
Commission should recommend that
the three spaces be made into one large Black Rhino enclosure. Problems at the zoo are not just
enclosures . Its management. Since
Carl Friedman has been the zoo’s consultant, the zoo has sold a giraffe to Six Flags Amusement Park and to the Naples Zoo which is another zoo in an amusement park
setting. Amusement parks are not
appropriate places to sell
animals. Shows raptors chained to a stand and left out in the sun on
display with visitors a few feet
away. Disrespectful to display animals like that. Practice is not done for
animal welfare. Many opportunities for improving welfare animals not taken in
last two years. One improvement was opening up the bear enclosure. Reason
making presentations tonight is hoping that Commission will make
recommendations that are not expensive.
Zoo’s proposal for another
ballot measure of from 75 to 100 million dollars in two years is ridiculous.
Zoo has mismanaged 50 million dollars from last bond measure. Hopeful that fighting for
recommended change will make it
happen.
Comr. Brooks – Have you put together any cost estimates of
improvements you are
recommending? Would be helpful if
we were to make recommendations.
Deniz Bolbol – Need zoo’s help to make realistic cost
estimates. Zoo should do that on its own. Own estimates would
be criticized as not being accurate.
Comr. Brooks – How long are raptors tethered outside?
Deniz Bolbol – Guess is about two or three hours. Practice
is also teaching children the wrong thing. To see birds kept in this way.
Comr. Brooks – Is there any other enclosure for the Snow Leopard that might be
suitable?
Deniz Bolbol – No.
Comr. Brooks – How long ago was the hole cut for the bears?
Deniz Bolbol – About a year. Wonders if stereotypic behavior
of the one bear, Ulu, decreased when she has access to the two enclosures.
Stereotypic behavior has recently been observed in one of the two bears housed
together.
Comr. Brooks – Have heard that the zoo is making more of an
effort to look for rescues first. That was one of our recommendations to the
Supervisors.
Deniz Bolbol – Issue is irrelevant . Should not be bringing
in more animals. Should make existing animals lives better. Should not even consider bringing in
rescue hippos. Should make it into one large enclosure for the Black Rhino.
Comr. Stephens – Understood that rescue were a priority now.
Whether to bring in hippos or not
and expanding the Black Rhino enclosure is a separate issue.
Comr. Brooks – Could you pick the top five most urgent
enclosures to focus on?
Deniz Bolbol -
Suggest to look at 10 or 15 projects.
Get cost estimates on them. Then see what can be done with resources
available. Management is paid $4
million a year. Incumbent on them
to say how much improvements
cost. That is they job not
ours. Would be great if cost estimates for different alternatives were brought
to JZ for them to decide which one to build or fund.
Comr. Gerrie – Have been overwhelmed by all the issues
needing attention at the zoo. Seems too piecemeal versus effort to change whole direction of
zoo. Zoo has aging population of animals.
$ 2 million was spent of the hippos exhibit and the hippos died before
it was completed. How do we agree on
how to proceed? How does the zoo
prioritize what has to be done? Our Commission would need a separate Commission
to adequately advise. It is too much for us to assess each
enclosure concern when the whole rationale for the zoo isn’t clear.
Deniz Bolbol – You’re a right. Just short of fixing the
fundamental problems of the rescue zoo, the Commission can apply pressure one enclosure at a
time. Such as expanding the Black Rhino exhibit. There are no hippos now so that could be done. Maybe every couple of months, make a
recommendation on just one exhibit.
Six recommendations a year. It was disheartening to lose the rescue zoo
vote but the battle is not over. Thinks about the animals at the zoo every night . Will continue for as long as it take to get reform at
the zoo. To have the most progressive zoo in the country. The animals deserve
it. SF deserves it.
Comr. Hemphill – Breaking a hole in the Baird’s Tapir wall
should not cost $50,000. Should be much less. Would put that high over other
fixes. When in the South American Aviary ,SAA, it seemed dark,. Not very bright. Birds now, in smaller
enclosures , at least have sun and a lot of air. Not sure about the SAA. Likes the full flight aviary.
Deniz Bolbol – Concern about making recommendation about
putting birds in the SAA and be stuck indoors for the rest of their lives. Also
doesn’t like bringing in parrots to breed.
Comr. Hemphill
- As to the raptors, most
horrified by the owls . Their nature is to try and hide during daylight.
Deniz Bolbol – Believe
most raptors are injured and can’t
be released.
Comr. Hemphill – When visiting the zoo, have been struck by
the stroller armies. The kids are being educated that this is all right.
Comments by the moms are also appalling.
Deniz Bolbol – Heard one mom tell her kid. “Look at the
Polar Bears in their home. What a big
home. Now the child think the
Polar Bear is in a fantastic place.
That is counter-educational.
We teach that to 10’s of
thousands of children. First is
the deprivation of the animals. A close second is the mis-education that goes
out. Lots of opportunities to
educate about the destruction of the actual homes of
all these animals. That isn’t happening. It is the AZA scenario where polls
show only 20 to 40 seconds viewing at an enclosure then off to the next one.
The zoo is seen as entertainment not education. As entertainment the puffer train goes around every
few minutes. Would like a recommendation about stopping it. Puffer train is not done for animal welfare. It
helps to create a circus-like environment
6 A) Public Comment
Mark Ennis – Have gone to all JZ meetings since the tiger
attack. Zoo used to have two
zebras. One died. Actually saw her die. Earlier this year the zoo decided to
buy two new zebras from a private breeder in Texas. Could not find anything
about this breeder. Must not
consider if it is AZA approved.
Doesn’t consider AZA requirements and approval for sales to be worth
anything. AZA approves animals at amusement parks that have roller coasters
next to them. Sure there are plenty of rescue zebras out there. Not a smart
move to spend $3000 each to
buy from a breeder. Many AZA zoos are over breeding animals
. Bailing them out is not a rescue. Instance of our zoo selling giraffes. A
giraffe mill. We had two giant anteaters. One died. The other was here by
itself. Another one was brought in from San Diego. The one still here actually
belongs to the Fresno Zoo. Should have just returned it to Fresno. Anteaters
have always paced which is stereotypic behavior.
Lisa Vittori – Spent weekend working at the County Jail.
Spent time there thinking about the zoo. Prisoners and animals exhibit similar
behavior when confined. Shouldn’t
have animals in captivity. Wary of issues
approaching incrementally. Ethical baseline not being considered. If the zoo wants to be a
world class anything it should be in the business of dismantling the captive animal system. Doing it for education is a lie. It is just
another form of amusement park.
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – Agrees with previous speaker.
Commissioners should get together and make suggestions for
improvements. Should have a sub-committee of the Animal commission for the
zoo. Would like Deniz on JZ.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci
- Thanks Deniz for great presentation. Birds are very difficult to
breed. Especially the big birds. Should get rid of the puffer train. Remembers
it as a kid. As a kid, had no idea it was bad for the animals. Believes all
zoo’s enclosures are inhumane.
Wildlife Conservation Network, WCN, will be here in October. They sponsor people that are studying endangered animals and
what kind of enclosures they
need. Praises WCN. Supports
Dr. Katz’s suggestion for the
Animal Commission to have a sub-committee for the zoo.
Pat Cavello – Supports Dr. Katz’s suggestion to form a
sub-committee for the zoo. Supports giving zoo animals as much space as
possible. Would like to see them be able to run. Visitors get bored just
looking at the animals. They want to be entertained. They ride the puffer train. SF Zoo should be progressive in
how they treat their zoo animals.
Richard Fong –
Likes the puffer train. Could be upgraded to make less noise and less
pollution.Doesn’t agree with previous speakers about some of the issues. The
giraffes had to be sold because there might be incest with the daughter
giraffes. That wasn’t mentioned.
Thinks there should be hippos brought in for the new hippo enclosure
since it was built for hippos.
Bob Jenkins –
SF Zoo - Most of the suggestions brought up tonight are on our books and
under study. Corrects two misstatements.
Tony the tiger was able to get out of the moat . That is his favorite
spot to hang out. He would not leave and a storm was coming soon. Could not
leave him there, for cleanliness and sanitation issues, to get wet. Fourth time making correction that the
anteater did not die. The daughter of
the male anteater was shipped to another facility for a breeding program. A female anteater was brought in. The
Fresno Zoo did not want the male
anteater back. The new couple is a
significant pair for the AZA’s breeding program. Will make presentation next
month with facts and figures.
Virginia Hanley – SF Animal Switchboard - Supports prioritizing what the concerns
are. Supports a sub-committee to focus on zoo issues. State legislation, AB 1675, was brought by the SF Zoo. Would make it a misdemeanor to trespass at a zoo or aquarium. Thanks Commission for their concern.
Hope Johnson – Supports a rescue zoo but animals should be
taken care of now as well. Visited big cat rescue center , Shambala. Recommends
visiting it to see big cats in a more natural environment.
Public comment closed
Comr. Stephens – Bob Jenkin’s presentation will be in June.
If we form a sub-committee of our Commission we are subject to all the Sunshine
Rules etc. Meaning, meetings would
have to be noticed, agenda set,
minutes taken. If people
are appointed to it, need a quorum. Just pointing out that an official
sub-committee is difficult.
Comr. Hemphill – See advantages to ideas
brought out openly at our regular meetings. Zoo concerns have not been a regular agenda item. Maybe they
should be.
Comr. Brooks – Working groups of three Commissioners do not violate Sunshine. We can discuss
this more next month . Doesn’t see incremental changes being mutually exclusive to over
arching structural and
philosophical changes at the zoo.
Would like to work exhibit by exhibit
for animal welfare.
7. Unfinished Business
A) Continuation of discussion and possible action to
recommend to the Board that they pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of dogs
and cats in pet stores. Ordinance is intended to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills.
Comr. Gerrie – I brought forward a recommendation last month
to ban the sale of dogs and cats
in pet stores. We did not act
because we were considering expanding the ban to other animals sold in
pet stores, including fish, birds, and other small animals. We decided to bring it back this
month for further discussion. From my talks with several people in the animals welfare community, I
decided it was best to just focus on dogs and cats as the intention was to stop the sale from puppy mills and
kitten factories. The ‘findings’
page gives many reasons to support a ban. The City should make this an
ordinance as it is consistent with
the City’s goal of caring about
animal welfare. Only one pet store
in SF is selling puppies consistently.
An intention of this ban is to increase adoptions of rescues and shelter
animals. This ordinance would not
have any impact but it would be
more far reaching than just existing stores as few dogs and cats are available
for sale. Nothing, however, in the
Health Code would stop a large
chain, such as Petland, from
opening in SF. If there was a ban passed, nothing can stop someone from just
going to a store such as Serramonte Pet store and buying a puppy there. I talked with San Mateo Health
Dept. about it would take to pass
a similar ban. It would be hard because all the individual cities need to approve
it be in effect County wide. The only way to make this ordinance comprehensive
is to pass it on the State level. The first step in that effort if for major
California cities to do so first. Last month I asked to focus on two things.
One, whether to expand it to other animals and two, how long to give existing
pet stores to stop selling their animals. I recommend six months based on numbers sold.
Comr. Hemphill – Thinks phase out should be shorter. Most pet stores make their money on
other things so wouldn’t need much time to be in compliance. Would still like
to see small animals included with dogs and cats. Don’t know if a small animal ban would travel
through on their own.
Comr. Gerrie – The existing findings pertain to dogs and
cats. We would need more findings for small animals. Small animals are used for two purposes, for pets and for
food for other animals, such as snakes. Think it would take months for us to
craft something together . This proposal
is complete and ready to go.
Comr. Hemphill
- A lot of the dogs that are bought are from breeders out-of-state over the internet. People with snakes could raise their
own animals for food.
Comr. Brooks – Supports passing it as it is tonight but
wants to make sure the small
animals are not forgotten. Banning dogs and cats will make more of an statement that will lead to larger
action on the state level . That issue is not much a problem here but taking
the step will impact areas in the State where it is a huge issue. Banning small animals will directly effect our city since these animals are being
euthanized here.
Comr. Stephens – Would like to include other animals.
Limiting it to just dogs and cats is mostly symbolic. Prefer to say that no companion animals could be sold in pet
stores. Have a limited amount of issues for the Board to take up. So, should
combine both in one effort.
Comr. Padilla – Could go either way. Willing to vote tonight
with what is proposed. Whether just dogs and cats or all small animals. Thinks including small animals could
take a long time.
7 A) Public Comment
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – This is important symbolic
legislation to show that something needs to be done about the terrible
suffering in puppy mills across our nation. If SF passes this, other cities
will follow.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci – Would like bill to include small
animals.
Lisa Vittori – Not sure if small animals have the legs to be in a bill of their
own. Understands need for action .
Need to not see small animals as commodities that can be easily bought.
Julene Johnson – fixsanfrancisco.org - Leaning towards focusing on just dogs
and cats. Across the State, 70% of dogs and cats, entering shelters, are still being killed. SF should lead in California.
Deniz Bolbol – A tough one. It is hard to put small
animals on their own. But
ordinance could also get killed by including small animals. From experience,
pushed for everything when should have piecemealed it. Go with the momentum for cats &
dogs and then add an amendment to include small animals.
Marti Watts – Would like to care of all of our animals.
Rebecca Katz – Director ACC – Feels symbolism is important.
Important to make a statement.
Concern that small animals
will be forgotten. Is laborious to work out all details now. Once sponsor is
found, is brought to City Attorney’s office to look into issues and draft the actual ordinance. It is
then vetted at the Board level. Don’t need to spend months at this Commission
perfecting language. That is the
City Attorney’s job.
Virginia Hanley – Animal Switchboard – Is a difficult
question with the small animals.
Should move forward. Supervisors might amend it.
Mark Ennis – Has a companion animal care-giving
service. Most clients have dogs
and cats from rescues. Others obtain their animals from out -of-state. Other
small animals are also being produces in inhumane conditions. Inhumane conditions exist at large pet stores. Sees value
in symbolic measure to educate
people to where our animals come form. Should spend more time and add the small
animals. Will be hard to add small animals later.
Richard Fong – Doesn’t understand how Health Code would be
changed with this ordinance. Also
doesn’t know why Commission is eager to follow West Hollywood’s actions. Wonders how it would be
implemented on a State level from
a county level.
Pat Cavello – Supports including small animals. Is the right thing to do for SF. Would
be unique to include all small
animals. Has support of ACC.
Susanna Russo –
SF Veterinarian - Supports including
all small animals.
Public comment
closed
Comr. Padilla – Could we, by next month, have a new
ordinance including small animals? Would support that.
Comr. Brooks – Our wording can be vague and open. It is up
to the Board and their aides to
work out the details.
Comr. Stephens – As with the declawing ordinance, we didn’t
give all the details. We gave the
Supervisors backg round material. We could pass a ban on the sale of all small
animals in pet stores. That wouldn’t stop private transactions of
responsible breeders. We could put together the findings we have now for dogs and
cats and add information from ACC. We could vote on that now.
Comr. Gerrie – Had intended to include other animals in pet stores after dogs
and cats. Had thought it would take a long time, perhaps a year., to hear from
the bird people , the fish people, etc. Had met with the person in charge of
other small animals at Petco.
Learned of efforts to do careful screening of potential pet owners as to what
is involved in taking care of these small animals. Would like to keep it as two separate items.
Comr. Brooks – Those businesses are doing it for profit
versus the rescues that are doing it to help animals. They may be
screening more but their bottom line is profit not animal welfare.
Comr. Hemphill – Would like it tailored to SF. Not sure
about fish. Don’t think small animals, on their own, would get by the
Board. Should try not to bother
them too many times so it is a golden opportunity to give it a try now.
Comr. Brooks – What are the top small animals euthanized at
ACC? Would like to recommend including,
hamsters, rats, chinchillas,
guinea pigs, and mice,
exempting birds and fish.
Comr. Guldbech – The big birds are not surrendered often.
They either go to rescues or there is a waiting list for them. Don’t know of
many stores that are selling birds now. They are hard to sell and hard to
comply with Health Code requirements.
Comr. Padilla – Saw two big aviary cages at Petco recently.
Comr. Gerrie – Feel more comfortable from listening to what
has been said. Would like to do something quickly including small animals. Like the idea of doing something
original
versus copying
West Hollywood. First thought
including the birds and the fish would take a long time.
Comr. Stephens – Don’t know if we need to craft anything. Just ask the Board to ban the sale of
dogs, cats, and other small animals, excluding fish and birds.
Comr. Gerrie – Make a motion to make a recommendation to ban
the sale of all small mammals in SF. Seconded by Comr. Brooks.
Comr. Brooks – Think the small animals should be listed.
Hamsters, domestic rats, domestic
mice, chinchillas, and guinea pigs.
Comr. Hemphill – Would like to leave it open ended pending
hearing back from ACC on what animals
are being euthanized.
Rebecca Katz – We need to look at our stats and see what
animals are being adopted out,
rescued or euthanized for this to be effective. Know now that the number
one animal euthanized are hamsters.
Don’t know if it should be linked to our impoundment rate , our
live-release rate , euthanasia rate,
or our adoption rate.
Comr. Hemphill – Don’t think it should be too closely linked to any rate as those
numbers will change.
Rebecca Katz – Could leave it more open to say, “small
animals determined by need” or “included but not limited to these animals”
Comr. Stephens – The motion is we make a recommendation to
the Board to pass an ordinance banning
the sale of small animals including but not limited to dogs, cats,
hamsters, domestic mice ,
domestic rats, guinea pigs, and
chinchillas. Excluding those from rescues and shelters.
Motion passes unanimously.
B) Discussion only
of no-kill policies in SF shelters. Discussion will include ordinance proposed by Bill Hamilton and a
resolution proposed by Rebecca Katz . A representative for the SF/SPCA will
speak about SPCA’s objections to
proposed legislation and report on recent statistics.
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett – Medical Director of Shelter Services SF/SPCA – Here to
talk about SPCA statistics and SPCA’s position on the no-kill ordinance. SF/SPCA has a 87% live-release rate.
That rate has remained steady despite increased numbers of animal surrenders,
and without crowding or causing
distress. One reason opposed to a
no-kill mandate is SPCA has already done the work. No healthy , treatable,
rehabilitatable animal has been
euthanized in SF. A couple of years ago the SPCA stepped away from the no-kill
language because it is divisive.
Other CA counties euthanasia rates remain high. In Yolo County, SPCA imports more cats than all their
local adoptions. Committed to animals in own community and reaching out to other communities so they can enjoy having animals leave
their shelters alive. Have been taking more cats from ACC than just what is
offered – the sick and behavior cases.
Take fewer dogs from ACC but numbers are up. In 2007 took in 116 dogs.
In 2008 took 161. And 210 in 2009. As with cats, have taken more of the
behavior/medical beyond what is
available. SPCA has made a huge
commitment to extend animal care in the community. Thanks volunteers that helped with the ringworm outbreak in 49
kittens last year at ACC. Were able to treat all 49 and adopted them all out. Last year took in 28 pit bulls..
This year, so far, have taken in 23. Many have had medical issues . Have taken
in a lot of Chihuahuas . Have done a lot of orthopedic surgeries as they break
easily. Trying to streamline the
foster program. Anything to streamline the process. Have been collaborating with ACC with fosters. SPCA has about
1000 foster homes available. For kittens.
When fosters are of age they go directly to Maddie’s for adoption. Started a fospice program for foster care at the end of a
dog or cat’s life. Enrolled 20 animals last year. SPCA sets up a medical
program and has regular check-in with the fospice parents.
Jack Aldrige - SPCA Director of Veterinary Services – Has
been with SF/SPCA for 34 years. Has seen in last ten, a growing ability to help
animals with medical problems due to increased technology and interest. Gives example of dog from ACC named
Charlie. Not adoptable at first. Charlie was transferred from the Shelter
Medicine department to the Hospital and started to treat Charlie’s problems.
Charlie has a very sweet personality . Had lumps on skin and an enlarged
prostate. Added up how much was spent on medical care. At the Shelter Medicine dept., spent
about $2200. In the Hospital Dept., spent $3400. totaling over $5000. Has not
been adopted but would make a good candidate for the fospice program. Cases are
taken one by one, even thought they don’t help overall statistics.
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett – Shows graph of animals taken in
using the Asilomar Accords. Shows
section of graph of animals that are treatable/rehabilitatable versus treatable/manageable, cases
requiring long term follow up.
They won’t get over their disease. Nearly 2/3 of animals taken form ACC
need some kind of treatment. Many cats coming into ACC get upper respiratory
disease from shelter conditions.
Shelter environment
also needs to be managed.
Against a no-kill ordinance because that work is already being done.
When first adopted her dog, heard about
others adopting their dog from rescues. Grew tired of hearing of dogs
coming from rescues. A dog isn’t rescued or saved until it is in a loving home.
No-kill ordinance focuses on
no-kill in the shelter but little on population control. A no-kill ordinance
should say that a shelter can not take in anymore animals than it can adopt
out. Adoptions are the way to save lives. Quotes from a friend of Mr. Trow,
Director of the Toronto Humane Society,
charged with animal abuse. “As long as an animal is alive its OK.” Shows
slides of crowded California shelters with animals stacked up in cages not scheduled
for euthanization. Crowded
conditions lead to more disease and more injuries. Animals will suffer when their numbers exceed our ability to
care. Shows slide of several dogs
in one cage in Las Vegas Shelter.
All dogs not eating available food because fear of setting off a food
fight. Death rates in such conditions often exceed former euthanasia
rates. Other slides show dogs and
cats too closely crowded and in unsanitary conditions. SF has been able to save 87% of its
dogs and cats without crowding More meaningful than no-kill would to advocate
for five freedoms. Freedom from
thirst and hunger. Freedom from discomfort. Freedom to express normal
behavior. Freedom from fear and
distress, minimize mental suffering. Freedom from pain, injury or disease.
Focus must be on moving the animal through the shelter as quickly as possible. Shows slide on intake to ACC from 1999
to present. Has decrease by about
3000 per year. Once an
animal has entered institutional care, society has failed on some level. Failed in spay/neuter. Failed to
educate. Failed to offer support. Once entered a shelter, is a lot of work to
rehome. Better to prevent entering in the first place. SPCA’s spay/neuter programs as well as the feral fix
program have had a huge impact. Support
urging the Board for adequate funding for ACC. Numbers are down but length of
stay is longer and animals are
harder to adopt. SPCA needs to do more community outreach. Is starting a no-cost vaccine program in the Hunter’s Point
area. Last year a majority of Parvo cases came in from one zip code.
Hunter’s Point area. Will also be passing out flyers on free spay/neuters and
vouchers for micro-chips and rabies vaccines. A blanket ordinance doesn’t fit SF. Have had a high live release rate for a long time. Need to look and see where our animals
are coming in from. Offers SPCA’s medical facility to help the rescues. Performs over 8000 spay/neuter s at the SPCA every year. Asks owners of
intact dogs & cats where they got their animals. Many reply from on line.
Many animals available on line come from puppy mills. That is
not readily apparent . Suggest somehow including that in proposed ban on sale of dogs and cats.
Needs more resources to expand up
to 12,000 spay/neuters a year. Two biggest factors for winding up at a shelter
are to be unneutered and
untrained. Encourages everyone to
support each other in working together.
Comr. Brooks – Could you speak about specifics on helping
rescue groups?
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett – Started giving discounts to rescues
last year. Have expanded number of rescues being discounted. Open to talking
with rescue groups to help them.
Comr. Stephens – The media has reported stories that the
SPCA has dropped their adoption
requirements. People that
shouldn’t be getting dogs & cats are getting them. Any response to these
allegations?
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett – These are allegations under
investigation. Adoption criteria
has not changed. We ask people to
take a chance on adopting an animal. We need to take a chance on people.
Comr. Padilla – Four million dogs are sold over the
Internet every year and about 4 million euthanized
every year. It’s hard to regulate
internet sales without violating
interstate commerce and the constitution.
That is the next nut to crack. To ban the sale of internet puppy-mill
produced dogs. Two issues were brought up last month, Bill Hamilton’s proposed
ordinance and the resolution by Rebecca Katz.
Comr. Stephens –
Thanks Dr. Scarlett and Dr.
Aldridge for their presentation. Has
gone back and forth, in the last couple of months, whether or not legislation is needed or desirable. The argument in favor of an ordinance
is to make someone reluctant to do something, to do something. That is an argument against an
ordinance. Forcing someone to do something will be done minimally. Most communities that have taken on a
no-kill agenda is because the shelter directors wanted to do it. Austin recently adopted legislation of
36 recommendations from a task force including no-kill. Reno also did something
similar. The difference in both communities is someone other than the shelter runs
adoptions. In Austin they are
trying to find a non-profit that can run the adoption process. In SF there is
concern about the Adoption Pact,
between ACC & SPCA, that could
be canceled at any time. A mandate
requires a lot to be done by ACC who has a limited budget determined by the
Board which has not traditionally been sympathetic to animal concerns.
Would not want to make ACC do something then not give them the funding
to do it. There has been criticism on how long we have taken to do this.
Especially in the last few months
we have been unsure of where to go. There has been many competing
concerns and issues. The groups that have been most critical of ACC, the SPCA,
and the Commission, also had opportunities to apply for grants and do something
themselves. How many of the
critics have sat down with “the enemy” and try to work together? All groups need to work together.
Cannot mandate that. At the very
least, the Board should go on record as saying that no savable animal will be
euthanized. If the Board was
committed to that, it would be hard
for them to cut ACC’s budget.
Comr. Brooks – Recently went to Reno to talk with Animal
Services and the Humane Society there.
The reason things are working well there is they want to work together. Their Animal Services does not do
adoptions as ACC does do here. The Humane Society does that. The Humane
Society gives the rescues first
pick then the rest are for adoption. Came away impressed with the partnership
between the two. They had some
differences but overall goals of “let’s save all the animals” were the
same. Would hope that will happen
in SF.
Comr. Padilla – Found the legislative process to be completely
unworkable. Instead, has started a
new rescue group. Has taken in 8 dogs from ACC in the last few days. Looking
into creating a new animal shelter in the City. Would like to create a private
spay/neuter 7-days-a-week clinic
in the space. Intends to participate in new task force. That is what is doable
right now.
Comr. Brooks – The task force wasn’t officially announced
yet.
Comr. Padilla – Came in late. Apologizes.
Rebecca Katz -
Had problems with a mandate to save every savable animal. Only possible with
unlimited finances and resources.
Need to heal broken trust and begin to work together. Can do much more working cohesively.
Pulling together all stake holders,
those who volunteer in the shelters or partner with the shelters to take
animals. Intends it to be productive.
Task force is to come and
talk about what can be done realistically and together. Three major shelters in SF have agreed
to be at the initial meeting, ACC, SPCA, and Pets Unlimited. Many volunteers have also agreed.
Julene Johnson has been coordinating e-mails for that.
Comr. Stephens – To be clear, this is not an official ACC
meeting? Just the community coming
together to work informally?
Rebecca Katz – Yes, if this was an official meeting under
ACC, would be subject to Sunshine Rules as an ACWC sub-committee would be.
Comr. Hemphill
- Would love to see a 7-day spay/neuter clinic.
Comr. Gerrie – Hearings on no-kill have been productive in
unexpected ways. Has been
difficult to hear groups demonizing each other. Hopeful that way has opened to work together.
Comr. Stephens –Question is do we ask the Board to do
something officially? A resolution?
Or, this Commission has been a forum in which a lot of issues were raised, do we just encourage groups to work together?
Comr Padilla – In favor of the later. Give this an
opportunity to work and see what happens.
Comr. Gerrie – Prefer the later as well.
Comr. Brooks – Prefer the later. Feel that legislation at
this time is not a good idea. We are now breaking out smaller issues from these discussions such as banning small
animal sales and staffing positions for behavior training at ACC.
7 B) Public Comment
Julene Johnson
– Fix San Francisco – Thanks Rebecca Katz for stepping up. Have not backed down
from saving all savable animals in SF. Coalition will take a critical and
constructive examination of each stakeholder and what the issues are and what
can be done about them. Excited to
hear about a new low cost high volume spay/neuter program. Many solutions are possible. Heard of a program in
Missouri called “Walk a hound, lose a pound” encouraging people to lose weight
by walking shelter dogs. Need to improve adoption process and restarting pet
retention programs like a behavior
low cost training and phone
help line. Need to work on finding more foster homes, increasing volunteers,
finding more funding, etc. Hope that once we have solved SF’s problems , can
reach out to outlying communities in California that are still killing 70% of all shelter cats and dogs.
Lana Bajsel -
Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue – Thanks Rebecca for taking the lead in the animal coalition. Believes SF can become a no-kill city without legislation if we all work together. Reno offers their best animals to
rescues first. Struck by statement of Dori Villalon that the rescues need to
step up to the plate. The rescues do much more with far less money than the
SPCA. Those with the resources should save SF’s animals first.
Lisa Vittori – Sick of rescues and of volunteers not being
paid. Same for those in the environmental movement and those taking care of
children. We, that care, are being exploited. Be cautious of relying on volunteers to take care of a social problem. There needs to be healing over all the
adoptable animals that have been killed
and the animosity between the people that care for animals. Grieving over the loss of life. Killing
is not the solution nor keeping
them in cages. Need new solutions.
Nadine May – Thanks Rebecca Katz . Has great hope for the
community coalition. Wants to
respond to Dr. Scarlett’s presentation.
Shows flyer from SPCA for a fund raising cruise to benefit the homeless
dogs and cats of SF. Readers would assume that resources are
going to the dogs and cats of SF. Dr. Scarlett said that no treatable animal is
euthanized in SF and she is against no-kill because
they are already doing this work. Gives examples of cats that would have been
dead except for rescues. Dr. Scarlett
said they do not do
inappropriate adoptions and do better than Craig’s list. Sites examples
of animals abused by owners adopted out from SPCA.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci - No-kill is not divisive. It’s a process. Found pictures of no-kill shelters used
by Dr. Scarlett to be insulting. Live release rate is higher in SF due to
rescues. Affordable spay/neuter is not available. Slide from 1999 showing high rate of intake from ACC was
when Avanzino was here. Insulted that SPCA left before public comment. If feral cats are involved in task
force meeting, Sunshine cannot be used to get information. Lot of people do not want feral cats in
SF.
Justin Pinkerton – Thanks Rebecca. People are getting angry on non-truths being said. Hopeful about task force.
Public Comment Closed
Rebecca Katz – Is not leading the task force and it is not
subject to Sunshine. The SPCA did
not leave. The incoming Chair of the Board is still here.
Comr. Brooks –Thinking
about tabling the item for two months to give some breathing room for
people and task force to meet.
Comr. Hemphill – how about three months?
Comr. Gerrie – Supports a break and allowing new
Commissioners to come in. Tabling is preferable than stopping it now.
Comr. Brooks – Makes a motion to table it for three months
and promises to make sure it comes back on the agenda then. Seconded by Comr. Gerrie.
Approved unanimously.
8. General Public Comment
Bob Jenkins – AB 1670 amends the trespass law in CA. An intruder must be told or asked to leave. Only then, if refuses,
can be prosecuted. Proposed
amendment would make it easier to prosecute. Stems from intruder in grizzly exhibit last
September. May 22, in the zoo
parking lot, is an adoption event for dogs and cats, “Meet your best friend”
Eleven rescues are coming to participate.
May 27 JZ will meet at the zoo with a presentation by Dr. Jencek .
Julene Johnson – The 2009 partnership statistics for the
SPCA have been published and are on the SPCA website. It has both intake
and outgoing animals and
euthanized animals for both ACC and SPCA. Recommends looking at them.
Virginia Hanley – Animal Switchboard & Pawpac –
Legislative overview, Fiona
Ma introduced AB1656 , required labeling of all fur as to species and origin
not just furs over $150 as federal law is now. AB 1670 was mentioned by Bob
Jenkins. Aquariums asked to be added onto the bill, and were. AB 1980 makes it
clear that animal shelters can provide first-aid. Shelters do not like this bill but it has passed the
Assembly. Encourages Commission to
support keeping the ban on the import of live turtles and frogs for the live
animal markets.
Lisa Vittori – Apologizes for Dr. Scarlett leaving
early. Asks to cut her some slack.
Thanks her for coming .
Public comment closed
9 & 10 Calendar items and task allotments
Comr. Brooks – Will have update on behavior and training developments and presentation from
the zoo. A possible announcement on new Commissioners.
Adjournment 9:07 PM
Respectfully submitted by
Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary
