2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 June 11, 2009
5:40 PM
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Present Commissioners: Sally Stephens, Angela Padilla, Laurie-Kennedy-Routhier, Andrea Brooks, Philip Gerrie, William Herndon – SF Police, Vicky Guldbech – ACC, David Gordon – DVM
Absent Commissioner: Pam Hemphill
2. General Public Comment
Tracy Pore - Community Outreach SPCA – Coordinating event on Saturday June 20th called Rescue, Recycle and Renew. Purpose is to showcase and spotlight on Bay Area rescue groups and the individuals in them. SP/SPCA extends an open invitation to Bay Area rescue groups to participate.
Kathleen McGarr – Wonders if there is a link to MP3 audio recordings of Commission meetings.
Comr. Stephens- We didn’t adopt MP3’s due to a malfunction one month. We do have audio cassettes of meetings upon request by contacting the Chair.
3. Approval of Draft Minutes for May 14, 2009
3. Public Comment
Richard Fong – Concerned about SB 250 getting enough support. No comment on minutes.
Minutes approved unanimously with no changes.
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks
Comr. Stephens – Attended two Joint Zoo meetings in past month. First on May 26. Second on June 8. Meeting on May 26 began with tour of zoo lead by Bob Jenkins. Was shown projects being worked on including black rhino exhibit by new contractor, gray seal enclosure, tropical aviary’s roof collapse was mitigated and being converted to wild parrot research and rescue facility,ADA issues in children’s playground, gravel path in front of kangaroo exhibit. JZ meeting was mostly presentation by Dr. Jencek, head veterinarian. Presented six studies of various zoo animals. Interesting to hear how zoo works together to resolve health issues with experimental treatments. Dr Jencek pointed out that zoo has a geriatric population. Lot of zoo medicine is also geriatric medicine such as arthritis and cancers. Increase of deaths in spring due to newborns not surviving.
At June 8th JZ meeting talked about colobus monkey who died from ‘maternal trauma’. Unsure of exact cause of death. Baby couldn’t thrive. During public comment, Deniz Bolbol commented that at JZ meetings animal transactions have already taken place. Suggested that zoo come to JZ before transaction has taken place. Some receptivity to her suggestion. Help make zoo transactions more transparent. I made suggestion to invite speaker from Endangered Species Breeding Program to give presentation. Also have a presentation on the enrichment done for the animals. More transparency is slow but is a work in progress.
Update of Rules Committee hearings to fill expired appointments. Committee is busy with ballot considerations. Probably won’t get heard until sometime in late July, August, or later. Four Commissioners term expired on April 30th but Commission is not a Charter Commission which has a 60 day limit so can serve until replaced. Deadline for applications for the seat is 10 days before hearing. When a firm date is set, will be put up on ACWC’s website. Also, potential applicants do not have to file form 770 – Conflict of interest form, because Commissioners are not paid.
Comr. Gerrie – Suggests that next time for seat appointments come up that Commission start to plan in March. Now, possibly, newly appointed Commissioners will only serve 20 months if appointed in August.
6. Unfinished Business
A) Discussion only of no-kill policies in SF shelters. Gregory Castle from Best Friends Animal Society, BFAS, is invited speaker.
Gregory Castle – Has worked closely with SF community in the past. Has been asked to speak about no-kill at BFAS and program called “No more homeless pets”. BFAS started 25 years ago by animal rescue people, mostly in Arizona . Decided needed a space besides volunteers homes to keep rescued animals. Found large tract of land in southern Utah , a remote area. Keeps apx. 2000 domestic animals. Mostly dogs and cats. Concentrates on difficult cases, medically and behaviorally. Wanted sanctuary to be a special place. Draws 25,000 visitors a year. Many visitors are in animal rescue/welfare community. Visitors inspired and motivated by visit. Supports large network of apx. 70,000 people around the country that want to help animals in outreach work. Helps communities, with their local animal problems by conducting conferences at the sanctuary. Also has Help Desk at sanctuary, receives about 500 calls a week from individuals and organizations. Guiding program is the No More Homeless Pets Program.
The Utah version of that is a statewide coalition of 29 no-kill rescues, two traditional humane societies, 56 animal control agencies, county and city, and between 25 & 90 animal hospitals (hospital numbers have varied in the programs’ 10 years). Coalition formally started in 2000 when Maddie’s Fund began handing out money for such programs. Program fit well into Maddie’s Fund’s criteria, amounted to $10 million over five years. Now raises own funds supported by BFAS. BFAS focuses on adoptions. Organizes “super” adoptions. Thirty agencies will get together for three-day weekend with about 500 animals being adopted, mostly dogs & cats but BFAS does have other animals. Started “Furburbia” , permanent adoption spaces in shopping malls. Different organizations bring a few animals in for adoption. Another aspect is spay/neuter. Called “The Big Fix”, mobile spay/neuter clinic travels throughout state. In good years it has done 7,500 surgeries. Has a “fix’ clinic in part of State that needs that service. Does 6,000 surgeries a year. Involved with vet hospitals throughout State to provide discount resources for spay/neuter. Some free. Some discounted.
When program first started in first year of 2000, adoptions went from 18,000 to 29,000 in State. Spay/neuter numbers went from 10,000 to 35,000. $ 3 million, from Maddie’s Fund, went into various programs in Utah coordinated by BFAS. Saved about 10,000 animals annually. Works out to $300 per animal. Save rate increased from 45% to 60% statewide. Not impressive by California standards but is significant increase of 10,000 animals. Compared to other states, save rate is in the middle. Big variations within Utah. Best results in small counties. Best example is the city of Moab, in Grand County, went from save rate of 33% to 98% in two years. Since 2005 budget has come down 40% due to absence of Maddie’s fund money. Results have not reduced proportionately. Adoptions are 24,000 a year. Spay/neuters are 30,000 a year. Save rate has decreased a little from high of 60%. Ten years of trial and error have resulted in some essential ingredients that have to be in place for no-kill to succeed and progress towards no more homeless pets.
Four essentials are: 1. Different elements of the community -- humane societies, rescue groups, and veterinarians -- working together with local governmental organizations who give some priority to animal welfare. 2. Leadership to provide coordination, motivation, and direction. 3. Commitment to achieving the goal. 4. Resources devoted to the issue, money but also volunteers. Feels that all four elements are presently compromised locally. Local groups not working well together. Lacking in leadership towards no-kill. Community not as committed as it needs to be to take final step. Resources not being used such as money from Maddie’s Fund. See compromises being made – not reaching the goal.
When BFAS was started twenty-five years ago, about 17 million animals were being euthanized nationally in shelters each year. Trend has been downward until now where about 4 million are euthanized each year. Phenomenal accomplishment. Decline has plateaued on national level. Unsure why. BFAS has looked at reasons why. Has some answers. One is more adoptions. Maddie’s Fund joined recently with HSUS in ad campaign with goal to increase adoptions per shelter from 3 to 5 per day. There are about 40,000 shelters in US. Difficulty is 40% of animals are feral cats and pitbulls. Doesn’t believe increasing adoptions from 3 to 5 will work. Way to decrease euthanasia is to decrease numbers coming into shelters. Spay/neuter is helpful. Important factor is feral cats should not be brought into shelters. Trap-neuter-Release, TNR, is the way to go. Many people like having ferals in their neighborhood. Find ways to keep ferals part of the community will help. Feral Freedom Program in Devalle County, Jacksonville, Florida animal control picks up all ferals, which previously had been killed, and gives them to a private organization called “First Coast no more Homeless Pets”, a spay/neuter organization. They spay/neuter and then release them to where they were picked up. The program is only 10 months old. Employs 8 vets who spay/neuter other animals in the community as well. Volunteers do their best to find caregivers for the released ferals. The ferals never enter the shelter. In 10 months they have spay/neutered about 4000 animals. That has increased the save rate from 27% to 51%. Convinced that this type of program would work in other communities. Similar program in the shelter in West Valley City , Utah . Ferals were euthanized. Now, No More Homeless Pets in Utah , NMHP, takes them and neuter and releases them. The city supports NMHP with $100,000. Results of program in first year was cat intake was reduced by 30%. Deaths in the shelter were reduced by 45%. Joint dog/cat save rate went from 43% to 70%.
Changing perception of pitbulls can increase adoption and their retention. Behavior training helps to adopt out. BFAS took in 23 of Michael Vick’s pitbulls. They needed a lot of work to socialize. Overall has been successful. Assessed by veterinarian at BFAS. Dog’s behavior has improved. Considered treatable. Some make more progress than others.
Issue of cost has been looked at. Difficult to determine & quantify. Many variables. Average cost per animal is $750 to $1000. Includes animals that also need veterinary care besides socialization. BFAS helped a lot by volunteers that walk, groom, and socialize. In SF, if 500 to 600 more animals were saved each year that would be a no-kill situation. Cost would be about $375,000 to $600,000 to make those animals adoptable. Thinks that is not much money for this community. Believes Commission’s job is to consider Nathan’s Companion Animal Protection Act, CAPA, as a possible mandate. Parts of CAPA that are good are: using the internet to promote adoptions; prohibiting breed bans; using volunteers, providing low-cost spay/neuter. Mandating spay/neuter for pet owners is useless and problematic without providing resources to help with the cost. The four essentials must be implemented with or without a mandate. Respected leadership is needed. Feels emotional about this issue because SF and BFAS have worked together for a long time. SF has been a model with its high save rate. Encourages SF to do more to achieve no-kill and have no more homeless pets in SF.
Comr. Brooks – How did the coalition in Utah come about?
Gregory Castle – BFAS created the coalition. NMHPU grew out of BFAS and became independent. BFAS provides about 20% of NMHPU’s budget.
Comr. Padilla – SF has dysfunctional system. Territorial issues. Personality issues. A fractured animal welfare community. Did you confront a similar situation in Utah ? How do you suggest we get past these issues and move forward?
Gregory Castle – Had some issues at the beginning. What is needed here is trust in a collaborative effort. Trust has been fractured but can be rebuilt. Create programs that are mutually beneficial to all elements. Win-win situations.
Comr. Padilla – Did you do anything in Utah to outlaw backyard breeding? Did you take in animals from out-of-county?
Gregory Castle – No we haven’t addressed backyard breeding. We have tried to stop puppy-mills from selling in pet stores. We bring in out-of-county dogs to fill a need for particular types of dogs. However overall focus should be on animals in the community.
Comr. Padilla – BFAS has other animals besides cats and dogs. Should we apply similar approaches to other animals as we do cats and dogs?
Gregory Castle – Own expertise is on cats and dogs. Bunnies are a growing concern. Some things will apply to all species. Other things don’t.
Comr. Stephens – With new programs is better to start from scratch or take an existing rescue group and expand out?
Gregory Castle – In Utah BFAS was essential to secure Maddie’s Fund money to start new programs. Equivalent organization here is the SF/SPCA.
Comr. Stephens- If SF/SPCA is unwilling to take on that role would BFAS come in and help?
Gregory Castle- Will pass on that question. BFAS has partnered, up to a point, in several communities.
Comr. Padilla – Are there other C-3’s that have the “No More Homeless Pets” programs? Can we take that model and replicate it here?
Gregory Castle – Please do.
Comr. Gerrie – Question about Maddie’s Fund from 2000 to 2005. Was there a cap after that?
Gregory Castle – Original arrangement was for 5 years. Had offered to make it seven years but Maddie’s Fund had terms so turned it down because couldn’t get buy in from coalition members.
Comr. Gerrie – Would you be in favor of mandating legislation in your state? Is that a fair comparison?
Gregory Castle – Utah is reluctant to set policy that may better be done by cities or counties.
Comr. Brooks – What is your staff break down? How many are volunteers?
Gregory Castle – BFAS has between 420 & 450 employees. Not all at sanctuary. 20% are in other locations throughout the country. At the sanctuary, 50% actually work with the animals.
Comr. Stephens – The program in New York is the Mayor’s Alliance and sponsored by Maddie’s Fund? Are you part of it?
Gregory Castle – Yes it is sponsored by Maddie’s Fund.
Comr. Padilla – One criticism of BFAS from locals is from a dog rescue group. Had sent problem behavior dogs to BFAS. When visited BFAS, animals were in less than ideal conditions. Warehousing. May be older reports. Would like to give opportunity to respond to allegations.
Gregory Castle – In early days, BFAS started hurriedly but always kept things clean. Over the years, has improved. Can’t comment on specific incident. When term ‘warehousing’ is used to describe what BFAS does, thinks dry and sterile. BFAS is anything but that. Even problem dogs have large run areas. Common response is surprise by how happy and non-warehoused the animals are.
Comr. Stephens – Finds BFAS website helpful and easy to navigate.
Comr .Brooks – Have you heard of anyone crossing state lines to access Utah’s programs?
Gregory Castle – BFAS has kept careful track of records of animals coming into state’s shelters. Hasn’t found any issues to be concerned about.
Comr. Stephens – We are not isolated in the Bay Area. Does this mean that we can’t do things here in SF?
Gregory Castle – Hasn’t been a problem. Hopefully, neighboring counties would be inspired to do the right thing.
Comr. Padilla – Is invigorated by presentation tonight. Is working through Companion Animal Protection Act, CAPA, to see if portions are suitable for suggestion to this Commission. Also looking at voluntary measures that the Commission can exhort. Has been grasping for the model of the No more Homeless Pets program.
Comr. Brooks – Hopes community can find a way to move forward from these discussions. Feels behaviorists and trainers in the community are under-utilized.
Comr. Padilla - Takes dogs from own rescue group to Pacifica and Oakland to access at-cost spay/neuter. Thornhill Vet Clinic in Oakland will spay a dog for $65 and neuter a dog for $50. Has to drive across Bay Bridge to access services. Hopes to harness City veterinarians and local humane societies to provide same.
Comr. Stephens – See need for leadership to coordinate such services. Cannot be mandated. Unclear of who could fill that role. SF/SPCA unwilling to fill that role nor ACC. Perhaps with BFAS or Maddie’s Fund’s help develop a version of NY Mayor’s Alliance for City animals or No More Homeless Pets in SF model. Rescue groups unable to apply for grants due to size and lack of staff. Not the role of ACWC to find a leader but to get together in the same room and talk. Are there issues the Commission can do? Foster and adopt? License back-yard breeders? BFAS’s experience with pitbulls would be helpful for SF.
Comr. Brooks – A lot of resources are not being tapped into.
Comr. Gerrie – Has appreciated speakers and discussions over last several months but doesn’t see Commission legislating something. Had gone with SF/SPCA staff on their rounds at ACC and asked staff the questions that had heard in Commission meetings. They had whole different perspectives for the accusations and criticisms against SPCA. Impressed by the process by which they selected animals for adoption. Doesn’t agree that agencies are not doing enough. Is a volunteer at SPCA’s TNR program. Has seen problem of feral cats in the Bayview. Thinks rescue groups and SPCA are doing as well as they can. Everyone cares about animals. Doing the best they can. Doesn’t see problem with leadership. Leaders come and go.
Comr. Padilla – Doesn’t agree with Comr. Gerrie at all. Commission speaks for the animals. Has been the most important issue before this Commission in recent months. Nothing more important that saving lives of animals. Personally rescues animals. Believes not doing enough. More animals can be saved. We can and we must do better. Need leadership. Need vision and creativity. Lives are dependent on it.
Comr. Stephens – Sees effort of no-kill as a marathon. Last two miles of twenty mile run are the hardest. Would like to see a “road map” come out of Commission’s discussions on how to do the last two miles. Asks Commissioners to think hard of what they can and cannot do to complete the run to no-kill.
6A. Public Comment
Lana Bajsel – Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue – City was closer to no-kill when Richard Avenzino was head of SF/SPCA than with current leadership. Resources being mis-directed. Community is fractured with no resolution. Need new leadership. Cannot come together to access money from Maddie’s Fund.
Nadine May – Likes idea of referring any ferals brought to ACC being immediately referred to Mary Ann Buxton, SPCA. Heard from Mr. Castle that saving 500 to 600 more animals would make SF a no-kill city. Believes number is lower. Placed several cats today that were turned down by ACC and SPCA. Cats were termed by SPCA evaluation team as “sweet”. Many adoptable dogs & cats turned down by ACC & SPCA. Doesn’t know what is wrong with the process. Could save more animals without legislation.
Laura Fairbanks – Fix San Francisco – Had similar experience to Nadine. Met a very adoptable cat at ACC. Was scheduled to be euthanized but asked and was granted extended time. Cat is now adopted.
Julene Johnson - ACC volunteer & Fix San Francisco – Fix SF has been ready to help. Has talked with Maddie’s Fund but only encountered roadblock from SPCA leadership.
Tina Ahn – Director of Development & Communications SF/SPCA – Hard to hear denigrating comments against SPCA and its volunteers. Difficult financial times. Resources are finite. Tried to work with rescue groups. Concerned that Governor’s cutting back holding time from 6 to 3 days will have significant impact. Doing the best with what is available. Doesn’t think mandating is the way to go. Continues to build coalitions.
Barbara Ikini – Compares cooperation of animal welfare groups in Denver to lack of same in SF. Feels in SF, people have closed minds and don’t want to work together. Lack of cooperation affects the volunteers willingness to work.
Lisa Vittori – Feels it shouldn’t matter what county animals come from. Would like to change “No more Homeless Pets” to “ Everyone deserves a right to a quality life”. Wants to take out the word “adoptable”. All animals are adoptable. Agrees with Comr. Gerrie. Commission has only done the research. Is a long way from solutions.
Kiska Icard – Communication manager SF/SPCA – Economy has severely effected the SPCA. In 2008 there was a 40% increase in owner-surrenders. Each month more people are asking for financial help through SPCA’s veterinary hospital. Statistics for 2008 are available on SPCA’s website. In 2008 SPCA adopted out 1000 more cats & dogs than 2007. Performed over 1100 free feral-fixes last year. Half of spay/neuters were offered to the public, heavily discounted or for free. Last year 400 fewer cats & dogs were euthanized than in 2007. Puts save-rate up to 87% from 85%. Foster program fostered 1100 kittens in 2008.
Hope Johnson – Leadership must lead but also have a style in working with staff and volunteers. SPCA leadership regularly excludes people on a personal basis.
Adam Behrens - SF veterinarian – Amazed by how many people care and work for the animals. Bothered by hearing that people can’t afford spay/neuter services in SF. Volunteers time with VetSOS in spay/neutering pets of the homeless. Knows many other vets who do so as well. There are unused facilities. All Animals Emergencies is unused during the day. Unfair to ask vets, who need to earn an income, to put aside paying cases to work for free.
Kathleen McGarr – Hopes Commission presents mandate. If mandate in place, new leadership will have to abide by that mandate.
Martha Hoffman – Thanks Commission for no-kill hearings. Likes idea of taking all feral right to Feral Fix at SPCA. Mary Ann Buxton needs help. SPCA needs to hire someone to take Joanne Kipnis’s place. Suggest ACC & SPCA work together to target the Bayview for TNR.
Susan Wheeler – Feral cat volunteer – Doesn’t’ think SPCA or anyone else is on the hot seat. Feels all groups are part of the solution. Thanks Commission.
6. New Business
A) Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Board that the practice of declawing cats in SF be banned except when medically necessary. Invited speaker is Susan Wheeler.
Comr. Stephens – West Hollywood had passed a declawing ban some years back but those against it took it to court but West Hollywood won on appeal. Had talked with head of California Veterinary Medical Association, CVMA, sent letter in reply. Will come next month to speak on why they oppose local bans on declawing. Bill in legislature now would prevent local jurisdictions from passing bans on procedures such as declawing cats. That legislation would take effect Jan 1, 2010 so any bans passed before that time would stand. It is expected to pass. Susan Wheeler was on ACWC and had done work on the issue then.
Susan Wheeler – In 2003 the ACWC took the issue up. Took lead on getting testimony. Heard from groups and individuals who wanted the practice stopped. Heard from CVMA who wanted the right to declaw cats. Commission decided the practice was inhumane because it required amputation of the last bone of each toe as well as connecting tendons and nerves of the paws. Also, very few cases were medically necessary. Often done for the convenience of the cat’s guardians. Vet’s don’t always explain what is actually done to the cat. Declawing makes using the litter box uncomfortable and cats avoid using it. Often turns cats into biters, no longer having use of their claws. As a result, many declawed cats are taken to shelters or abandoned. Vet’s argue that not declawing will result in many more cats being given up due to scratching or clawing. Commission unanimously passed a resolution to the Board to recommend against declawing. On Oct 3, 2003 the Board passed the resolution urging San Franciscans to stop the practice.West Hollywood is the only city in the US to actually make it illegal to declaw cats. In 2003 the ACWC decided to wait before suggesting an ordinance, deciding to wait until the lawsuit was settled with West Hollywood and CVMA. By the time the lawsuit was settled in favor of West Hollywood, ACWC had moved onto other topics. Has invited Jennifer Conrad, from the Paws Project, to possibly speak next month. Paws Project spokesman recommends Commission to send a letter to the State Legislature against SB 762 & HB 2427.
Comr. Gerrie – Do you have any idea of how many surgeries for declawing are performed in SF each year?
Susan Wheeler – Did a survey in 2003. Very few vet offices did no declawing at that time. 50% who replied, said they would do it if an owner begged for it to be done. 30% said they did it fairly regularly. Wonders if the vet community knows that there is a resolution against it.
Lana Bajsel – From a rescue stand point and a former vet-tech stand point, knows some vets perform operation with a nail-clipper, crushing the first bone. Cats need their claws, provide a scent and visual marking. Creates more problems than it solves. Declawed cats become biters and are surrendered to ACC due to behavioral problems. Goes against efforts to keep cats out of the shelter environment. Questions a vet’s ability to discern between medical and behavioral issues. Often vet isn’t trained in how to counsel an owner. Vet’s take declawing lightly. 9 out of 10 vet’s don’t explain the procedure to owners. When owners know what is involved, 9 out of 10 don’t have it done. There are alternatives to declawing. Soft Paws. Trimming the nails. Providing the appropriate scratching surfaces. Sisal. Cardboard. Issues of toxoplasmosis occur more often in feces contact or cat bites than scratching. A cat scratch is not a problem, if properly cleaned, for an immuno-compromised person. Urges Commission to recommend a mandate to end declawing.
Comr. Gordon - Declawing or onychectomy is personally distasteful. Hasn’t known any vet who takes it lightly. Think it might be a generational thing. Started as a vet-tech in 1988. Vets, age 40 and below, take it very seriously. Concern for cats lives is very emotional. Rescue groups see adoptable animals at ACC and want to help. ACC struggles to adopt out as many as they are able. Misperception is common. Vet knew of cats that have been locked in a garage for years because they scratch and destroyed furniture. Owners won’t relinquish because they own the cat. Cats are property. When an owner comes in for possible declawing, the vet warns that the cat may become a biter. May need drug therapy for the rest of its life, for the pain. Talked to six vets. Two do declaws. If an owner still wants to have the surgery after the vet suggests all the alternatives, the owner may go to another vet who won’t manage the chronic pain properly. In ten years at Mission Pet Hospital, had seen ten declaws. None had chronic pain. All had long-term follow-up. Most were done because owners were immuno-suppressed. The concern is not toxoplasmosis but pasteurella, bacterial infections. In own vet survey, no one put it on the level of leg amputations as to pain. Talked to one vet at length who had done several declaws. He had weighed alternatives of animal being confined inhumanely and accepted to declaw. Declawing is easier for younger and thinner cats. Individual cat’s factors are considered by the vet. Fat older cats have a much harder time. In own vet survey, vet’s felt a anti-declaw mandate would not be effective. Declaws have dropped dramatically in the last twenty years and in the last ten as well. Education has reduced declaws. Believes nearly all vets will tell owners what is involved in declawing. Two types of pain associated with declawing are the chronic pain from the surgery and removing an essential part of the cat, its claws. Two things are hard to quantify. Vet survey showed vets didn’t see chronic pain on follow-up. Conflicting research on what is best for pain management. Not much research done due to lack of funding. Best feedback is from rescue groups that see the consequences. Vets don’t like to have mandate on what they can or cannot do. Behavioral analysis complicated. Declawed cats in shelters, may bite and have other issues but we don’t know if they was caused by declawing. Shouldn’t just go on anecdote on deciding what to do. Wants well done research before making decisions.
Comr. Gerrie – You are saying there are no studies out there to show either way?
Comr. Gordon – Small studies show that cats do fine with it. If it was a human study it would be dismissed. Doesn’t think there will be any forth coming. Local surveys would be helpful. Does think the practice is diminishing. Pain management is very different now. More similar to human pain management.
Comr. Padilla- Suggests making a motion to recommend to the Board an ordinance banning the declawing of cats. But would be willing to wait until next month.
Comr. Stephens- Thinks waiting until next month for a motion would be better. Possibly do some surveys in between. CVMA and Paw Project would like to speak next month.
Comr. Padilla – Sensitive to non-vets regulating what vets can and cannot do.
Comr. Gerrie – Can look into West Hollywood’s efforts and how successful it was.
6A. Public comment
Jennifer Rowe – SF veterinarian – Works in cat-only clinic. Declaws only 4 to 6 cats a year. Hates doing it. Educates client to alternatives. Thinks it is a non-issue. Suggests a middle ground , such as an informational pamphlet. Some vets have made declawing expensive to discourage people from having it done.
Comr. Gerrie – Is declawing include all four paws? What is the apx. cost?
Jennnifer Rowe – No, just the front two. Unsure of the cost. Try to make it cost-prohibitive if can’t talk people out of it. Wealthy people are scary by what they will consider doing to stop their pets from clawing.
Susan Wheeler – Perhaps one response by vets to scary people could be, “It can’t be done in SF.” Think things are changing very rapidly even since 2003 as to how we think about our pets.
Comr. Gordon – Would you want the ban to include owners with immuno-compromised issues?
Susan Wheeler- Yes. The surgery should only done for the health of the cat. People with immune issues should reconsider having pets instead of declawing.
Comr. Gordon – You would recommend surrendering a cat that scratches?
Susan Wheeler – That would be better than keeping it in a dark garage. Has friends in Italy where there is a de facto ban. Friends have nice quality shredded furniture. They say it is a small price to pay. Totally accepted to not declaw.
Comr. Padilla – Isn’t just trimming the nails the answer?
Comr Gordon – Yes but some cats won’t allow it and some owners have mobility issues. So cutting the nails isn’t always an answer.
Lana Bajsel – Thinks we are lazy society looking for easy answers. Will come and trim nails of cats for people who can’t. Mutilating a cat for own self convenience is not OK. Pain management is not the answer. It is the wrong answer. I don’t want my arm amputated even if it doesn’t hurt.
Julene Johnson – Supports a ban. One vet declaws 6 times a year. A hundred vets would make 600 cats declawed. In the following countries cat declawing is illegal or considered extremely inhumane; Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus,, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey.
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Nadine May – Volunteer Pets Unlimited – Talks with prospective cat-adopters. Occasionally declawing comes up. Most people have no idea it is amputation. Suggests CVMA do a brochure available at every vet clinic,office, and hospital. When adopting a cat out, makes a life-long agreement to come out to cut the cat’s nails.
Lisa Vittori – Suggest tabling the issue until next month.
B) Discussion and possible action to send letters to Rec & Park, and others, asking increase in patrols in parks and natural areas where birds are nesting to prevent people from setting off illegal fireworks
Comr. Gerrie – Had sent a similar letter last year just to Rec & Park. This year sending the letter of concern to SFPD and the Port Authority as well.
Comr. Padilla – Makes a motion to approve the letters and send them out. Seconded by Comr. Gordon.
6B. Public comment
Kathleen McGarr – Approves sending letters.
Lisa Vittori – Concern that Rec & Park likes to ticket people having dogs. More police will be around the birds so will ticket dogs in the area thus increasing stats. Supports the birds but fears the rangers will have an excuse to ticket more dogs.
Comr. Stephens – Doesn’t think there is any evidence to support the idea about fireworks effecting birds. It is only anecdotal. Encourage Audubon to have real data versus anecdotal. Lisa’s point is well taken that rangers will harass dog people. However fireworks are at night. Dog walkers during the day.
Comr. Gerrie – Doesn’t know how well it will be enforced but at least brings awareness to the issue.
Comr. Padilla – Considers withdrawing and then amending motion to include concern about dog walkers. Questions if highlighting the dog walkers would make it worse.
Comr. Gordon – Doesn’t think that highlighting is good by allowing illegal off-leash dog walkers to continue as usual,
Comr. Gerrie – Cats and dogs are also affected by fireworks.
Comr. Stephens – Only solution to that is to ban fireworks.
Comr. Gerrie – It is already illegal. Just asking that it be enforced in the more fragile wild life areas.
Comr. Stephens – Doesn’t know how many people go to these areas and set off fireworks. Concern that letters say it is fact when we don’t know it is fact. Wouldn’t mind amending it to just particular places in the parks, Stow Lake and Lake Merced.
Comr. Padilla – Withdraws and amends motion to just two places in the parks with lakes and bridges. Seconded by Comr. Gordon.
Motion passed unanimously.
7. General Public Comment
Martha Hoffman – Didn’t have a chance to comment on last motion. Wonders about broadening it to all wildlife.
Lisa Vittori – Outlands festival is coming up. Last year there were issues with the fencing. Suggest putting it on as an action item next month.
Comr. Stephens – Understands there has been changes to how the area is fenced. Not going all the way to the ground. Possibly inviting someone from Rec & Park to talk about it.
8 & 9 Items to put on the Calendar for future Commission meetings
Comr. Stephens – Next month, continue no-kill discussion, more on declawing, and invite someone from Rec & Park to speak on Outlands festival.
10. Adjournment 9:10 PM
Respectfully submitted by
Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary