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Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2004
1. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:45 pm on September 12, 2004
Present: Chair Kennedy, Vice Chair, Franklin, Commissioners Chi, Kipnis, Guldbech,Weiss DMV, McKenna, Herndon
2. Public Comment
L- Danyielle Yacobuci requested that the individuals who speak during public comment state what organization they are from.
3. .Approval of Minutes
Commission Wheeler moved to approve the minutes with changes
Seconded by Commission Franklin
Unanimous
4. Chair's Report
Commissioner Kennedy welcomed Commissioners and public to the meeting.
5. Status and Tracking of letters of recommendation approved by the Commission, requesting action by the Board of Supervisors.
SF Zoo update
Commissioner Kipnis reported that Lulu and Tinkerbelle are still at the San Francisco Zoo. Tinkerbelle is being trained for the move to PAWS, however, Lulu is not, since the crate that she will be transported in has not been moved to her enclosure. Pat Derby (PAWS) has been visiting both Lulu and Tinkerbelle periodically and assisting with the training of Tinkerbelle. No set date for transfer at this time.
Public Comment
Elliot Katz - Zoo is not acting in good faith - stalling with Lulu. The crate that has been paid for by Pat Derby is not yet in place. IDA has spoken with Supervisor Matt Gonzalez. AZA is now threatening to pull accreditation from the Detroit Zoo. Katz suggests that someone on the Commission speak with Supervisor Gonzalez to put pressure on the zoo to transfer the elephants.
Commissioners Franklin will follow-up with Supervisor Gonzalez on this issue.
Commissioner Kipnis will follow-up with Pat Derby on the status of the move.
Responsible Dog Guardianship Legislation Package
Commissioner Franklin reported that City Attorney, Rosa Sanchez has reviewed the legislation. Supervisor Dufty's office will probably sponsor the legislation. All that needs to be done is final paper work.
UCSF Live Animal Testing
Supervisor Gonzalez is in communication with UCSF about this issue.
Public Comment
Elliot Katz - The USDA filed charges against UCSF for violations of animal welfare act. This complements the proposed resolution being sponsored by the Commission.
Commissioner Eckman arrives.
6. Old Business
Foie Gras
Commissioner Wheeler stated that Richard Sharon suggested that we hold off on this issue for a couple of months given that supervisor elections are coming up.
Commissioner Weiss - AVMA's Animal Welfare Committee is looking into action of the three farms that produce foie gras. Pathologist looking into this issue.
Commissioner Eckman suggested that we get copies of the article for the next Commission meeting.
Public Comment
Richard Sharon - developed outline for foie gras campaign. Encouraged the Commission to go for the ballot initiative this spring with the possibility of getting 4 supervisors to sign on. Willing to approach supervisors. Otherwise, Brian Rogers, Director of Animal Protection League in San Diego, has an infrastructure in San Francisco to get signature campaign going starting in January. Organized demonstration at Agua every Friday. Looking at other alternatives to raise public awareness. Thanked the Commission for its support.
Elliot Katz,- Veterinarian profession not oriented to animal issues, for the most part. IDA filed law suit against Sonoma Foie Gras - Vet at UC Davis testified that it is not inhume to produce foie gras. No need for a scientific study to determine that it is inhumane to produce foie gras. IDA;s campaign includes activist standing in front of restaurants with graphic posters where foie gras is served. Will be doing this in major cities across the country.
Kelly Casmerisck - supports ban of Foie Gras - would vote against it if on ballot
Commissioner Eckman - medical facts on health consequences of eating foie gras are important, makes it more irrefutable
Commissioner Chi - suggests that posters against foie gras should also show how bad it is for human health.
Commission Kennedy -Dr. Weiss look into ballot measure issue, people who want to participate in IDA poster campaign need to contact Dr. Katz, and Mr. Sharon will be speaking with Supervisors regarding where they stand on this issue.
Trap Neuter Return
Commissioner Wheeler - will ask to table the issues of TNR resolution since she will be away for a few months. Wheeler is getting together a group of people who have a stake in this resolution. ACC and SPCA are dealing with the tragic death of the SPCA Chief Vet., which is another reason to slow down this process temporarily
Showed video of TNR and reviewed TNR packet she put together.
Commissioner Eckman stated that we needed more facts before we move forward on this.
Commissioner Guldbech - the direction we need to go is how do we adopt good practices and agree on what is humane in the treatment of feral cats. Wait until a meeting takes place including ACC and SPCA Directors.
Motion moved by Eckman to hold Commission discussion until this meeting has taken place between Daniel Crane, Carl Friedman
Seconded by Commissioner Wheeler
Unanimous
Public Comment
Ron Cole - Commission needs to pass out packets under discussion to the public so it can be seen by all.
Lisa Comassi San Diego is a strong supporter of this issue. Reduced by 50% number of cats euthanized. Must be a collaboration
Paula Catakis - trapped and sterilized over 300 cats. Those involved in this work only want the best of the cats.
Kimi Sharky - new to dealing with feral cats. SPCA provided a lot of medical support and other supports for her feral cat. Many people who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to save these feral cats. Please help support this effort.
Lana Basel- Read letter from Barbara Miller, who is convinced that TNR is the best policy for the feral cats. Lana - very effective way to manage feral cats in an urban environment. Alley Cat Rescue is an excellent resource. Many of these cats were once domesticated animals who have been abandoned. We must not turn our backs on these wonderful creatures.
Bill Hamilton - cats' environment are mostly okay for these cats - can't criticize a cat's environment on how it looks alone. If cats appear healthy and well fed, they are getting food from somewhere, or they are newly feral and can be trapped. Proof of success is through attrition.
Nancy Weurfel - Feels her responsibility to take care of feral cats and give back to her community. Reduction in aggressive behavior after neutering. Educated others in the neighborhood about TNR
L-Danielle Yabacucci - Thanked JR Yeager all of this hard work. Made the lives of many feral cats better.
Corrected some errors in the report that JR put together.
25 cats left in hands of a homeless man who disappeared - there were others who helped care for those cats
Abandoned cat colony unaltered males and females - only fond one unaltered male - females were overweight not pregnant
No ongoing health maintenance system for feral. SPCA offers 25% discount.
Never asked for help to trap a cat with an abscess.
No one puts cats through cats through TNR and does not take care of them.
Emma Clifford - SF feral cat program is important globally. Gallipolis Islands now using the SF feral cat programs a model. Very successful program. Others are looking at SF for how to manage feral cats.
Janet Cunningham - Teaches human education through SPCA. Manages 6 colonies Grateful member of the feral cat team. Support TNR
Judy Miller - Addresses issue of vet care for feral cats. Care givers do take care of feral cats, shell out a lot of money for their medical care.
Cindy Rutter - Cat Assistance Team - Caretaker becomes guardian of feral cat. Cat assistance team offers a variety of services for feral cats. Behind the scenes, they take donations for ill cats. Up to the vet to determine extent of health of the feral cat.
Nadene May - Members of Cat Assistance team go out on a limb to help these cats. Possible to adopt a number of feral cats - Euthanasia has a place when a cat is terminally ill. Most colonies, cats are doing well.
Mary Huber - Caring for feral cats for over 20 years. Many of these cats live healthy lives.
Maryann Buxton - SPCA feral cat program - The cat assistance team and people in community are amazing, willing to do TNR and educate people in the community. TNR resolution, keep focused on Spay/Neuter.
Scott Anderson - Should be illegal to euthanize or slaughter any healthy animals. However, forcing cats to lives out their lives in desperate conditions much worse. Read a statement from HSUS on TNR. Urged everyone to read the HSUS web site on their TNR program. More complete and humane program than the SF feral fix .
Debra Garcia - Not everyone can pay for medical bills. Care is the next step after TNR. Hope that this issue continues and not wait until the meeting between ACC and SPCA.
Elliot Katz - Believes that it is the mandate of the Commission to address the care issue of feral cat after TNR. Guidelines from the Commission not good for feral cat communities.
JR Yeager - Feels that he has been heard. Will continue to take care of colonies and believe that this process will turn into something good, Did not start this campaign to kill cats, started the campaign for those colonies that do not have caretakers. Does not want to see a resolution pass that requires a cat not be returned unless there is a caretaker in place .
Martha Hoffman - for every story told there is an opposite story, Alley Cat Allies, SFSPCA both have a wealth of knowledge, PETA does not have a good handle of the issues - dead wrong, not true that feral cat lives horrible lives, suggest pro bono care from vet community
New Business
Proposal for Professional Dog Walker's Contract
Commissioner McKenna- informal guidelines for dog walkers. Plans to amend the park code to limit nonprofessional dog walkers to three dogs in a play area at any one time - professional dog walkers will be allowed to have six dogs at any one time. Also create a database of dog walkers who have received certificates. These individuals will also be on the web site.
Establish a safe ratio of caregivers to safe number of dogs.
Goal is to implement a joint certificate program between Rec and Park and Animal Care and Control. Would issue a badge, cost $25.00 to cover the cost of issuing a badge. These dog walkers who receive a certificate would have acknowledged a specific set of rules and regulations.
Looking for endorsement from Commission of this new program
Public Comment
Lisa Walsh - professional dog walker. Not great selling point for professional dog walkers, since anyone can start a dog walking business - very easy. Agrees with the proposed limit on number of dogs - the 6 to 1 ratio.
Elliot Katz - asked for an explanation of what is meant by nuisance, what creates the nuisance in the park.
Unknown - Don't set ourselves up for a problem by using the terms ethical guidelines.
Debra Garcia - what happens if something goes wrong and the dog walker has a certificate and listed as such. Is there any recourse for this?
Commissioner McKenna stated that the draft contract will go before Rec and Park and Board of Supervisor so that the public has an opportunity to comment.. Also get the word out to vets and major pet stores.
Commissioner McKenna -City attorneys need to review this proposal before it goes to the Board of Supervisors
Public Comment - none
Calendar items for next Commission meeting - Commissioners will e-mail items to the Chair.
Commissions Wheeler and Franklin will not be at next meeting.
Next Steps
Commissioner Franklin will follow up with Dufty about sponsorship of responsible dog guardian package, also call Supervisor Gonzalez to put pressure on the Zoo to move the elephants.
Commissioner Kipnis will call Pat Derby regarding on progress on moving Lulu.
Commissioner Weiss - will follow up on AVMA research on Foie Gra.s
TNR will be tabled until January, and in the meantime we will await results of meetings with Daniel Crane, Carl Friedman, L-Danielle, JR Yeager,
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm