MINUTES
San Francisco Commission of Animal Control & Welfare
Thursday, March 19, 2015

 

 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call 6:34pm
Commissioners Present: Annemarie Fortier, Davi Lang, Sally Stephens, Russell Tenofsky, Julene

 

Johnson

2. General Public Comment
Members of the public may address the Commission with comments or recommendations on items within
the Commission’s jurisdiction other than the items on the agenda at the beginning or end of the meeting,
but not both.

 

 

None, public comment closed.

6. New Business (note, out of order)
A) Commendation to the San Francisco Fire Dept. for Rescue of Otterpop the Cat.
Commissioner Johnson: On February 21, there was a three alarm fire. Residents got out safely, but
Otterpop the Cat was found in the building and suffering from smoke inhalation.. SF Paramedic Douglas May
gave Otterpop oxygen and he was resuscitated. Otterpop recovered and is at a temporary home with his
guardian, John Sanford, and is doing very well. We are impressed with how our city firefighters cared for
Otterpop. Not only did they rescue him from a burning building, but they treated him at the scene. The SFFD
saved his life. While Mr. Sanford notes that he lost a lot that day, but losing Otterpop would have been the
most devastating. Douglas May and the other firefighters showed deep compassion and support for the
animals f San Francisco. We want them to know how much we appreciate this. A GoFundMe page was set up
for Otterpop’s care, and the campaign has raised over $18,000 for veterinary bills and to help Mr. Sanford get
back on his feet. We are deeply grateful to the SFFD for the care of Otterpop the Cat and also other animals
impacted by recent fires. Presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Douglas Mei from the SF Commission of
Animal Control and Welfare and the SF Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Scott Weiner is present to present
the certificate. Mr. Sanford will be present, too. Battalion Chief John Hickey also present.
Supervisor Weiner: Good evening. Thank you, Commissioners, for your work on this important
commission. I am thrilled to be here today. I live just a few blocks away from 15th and Church. I saw the fire,
it was really nasty. I have learned that we get notified about every fire in my district. And there are a lot of
them and every time they are incredibly destructive. We work very hard to keep people stable, but one of the
things that does not get talked about much is the impact on animals, especially for people with dogs for whom
it is so difficult to find housing. That is something we could focus a little more on. As a guardian of a 18.5 year
old rescue cat, I can sympathize with Mr. Sanford. We would like to honor Mr. Mei and thank you for going
above and beyond the call of duty. It is amazing that you saved Otterpop. Thank you for what you did.
SFFD Chief Hickey: Thank you, Commission, for recognizing some of the work that we do. Of course we
focus on humans, but we don’t forget about the animals. We try our best to get them, sometimes it works out
and sometimes it doesn’t.
Commissioner Stephens: I agree that there are a lot more fires than we know. Otterpop’s guardian has
arrived.
John Sanford: I want to thank everyone who was involved. It was an overwhelming experience. My life
would be very different right now if Otterpop was not in it. The firefighters immediately went into the building
when I told them that my cat was still inside. They took him to an emergency facility. I can’t say enough.
Thank you.
Commissioner Stephens: Thank you all. This is one of the happy things that we deal with, when there is a
good outcome.
No public comment. Public comment closed.
Approval of Draft Minutes from the February 19, 2015 Meeting (return to order)

 

 

No revisions or public comment. Minutes approved.

Chairperson’s report and opening remarks
Commissioner Stephens: An ordinance has been entered by Supervisors Weiner and Tang that is to
ban the use of animals for the amusement or entertainment of people. There will be a meeting on April 2. The
item came to my attention too late to be put onto the agenda. As it is not on the agenda, it cannot be
discussed. On another note, last year we took the position that the Great Bull Run now use the name San
Francisco. Last week, the company that hosted the Bull Run was sued by the Animal League Defense Fund
and PETA and it was settled out of court and they agreed not to host these events in California.
A) Update on Commission Vacancies and Appointments to the Commission.
Commissioner Stephens: The appointments will be heard on Thursday April 23 at 11am. The
Commissioners up for re-appointment, if they chose to re-apply are: Tenofsky, Johnson, Lang and Stephens.
Four appointments are open. The position is open to residents of San Francisco. Deadline is ten days before
the committee meeting. April 9 is deadline. Our terms end April 30. May’s meeting will have new
commissioners. There is also a seat for veterinarian available, for a DVM who practices in SF, but not
necessarily lives in San Francisco. It is not necessary to apply for a specific seat number, but you can if you
like. If you apply, you must appear at the rules committee.

 

 

No public comment. Public comment closed.

Commissioners’ Reports

 

 

None, no public comment.

6.
B) Honoring Dogs Who Serve at the San Francisco Veterans Day Parade.
Commissioner Stephens: For the past nine years, former Commissioner June Wilson has led a canine
contingent march on Veteran’s Day. June is retiring next year and is looking for someone to take over the
efforts.
June Wilson: My husband was an Air Force pilot who led the parades. After he died, I decided to continue
it. But it’s a lot of work, not the animals but the people. After the parade, I take them out to lunch at Max’s at
Opera Plaza. People clap and cheer when they see the dogs. I added the Dogs for the Blind and the Customs
dogs. The dogs and sometimes the owners pass away and I have to find new participants. I would like
someone to take over.
Commissioner Stephens: What is required to organize it?
Wilson - You have to start about a month before. You have to ask their bosses if they can come. It’s a lot
of work. I’m glad I started it and hope someone will continue it. I have contacts, but they are wishy washy. I
have a van with signs and the dogs walk behind. The parade starts at 2nd Street. It’s in November.
Public comment
Unidentified speaker: I have known June for many years and she and her husband were great animal
advocates. The Presidio hosts a Memorial Day event, maybe she might meet some people there who would be

 

 

interested. There are Irish Wolf hounds at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There is a canine cemetery for military dogs,

to honor them.

 

C) Introduction of New Director of Animal Care and Control.

Virginia Donohue began at ACC at the beginning of March.
Ms. Donohue - I started on March 2. I have been involved with animals in SF for 18 years. I founded
Pet Camp, for dogs and cats. I worked for the EPA for 15 years. I have a master’s and bachelor’s from
Northwestern. I have a 7 year old rescue dog, a 2-year old rescue from ACC, a new kitten and another rescue
dog. I retired from Pet Camp and my husband will continue to operate it.
Commissioner Johnson: I’d like to hear your vision for ACC.
Ms. Donohue : I am just getting started, so now I am meeting with the external and internal
constituents. I want to work out some of the internal administrative issues and looking forward to building a
new shelter, which is very exciting.
Commissioner Stephens: Is there a sense of when that will be built?
Ms. Donohue: The bond proposal is scheduled to go on the SF ballot in June of 2016. Now, they are in
the midst of cost analysis. Right now it is very speculative about what it will look like.
Commissioner Fortier: Will this be funded soley through the bond or will there be any partnerships?
Ms. Donohue: Primarily bond funded, with a cap on the bond.
Commissioner Stephens: It is encouraging that it is it in the works.
Commissioner Johnson: What is your vision for treating for all the healthy and treatable animals,
including small companion animals?
Ms. Donohue: Our mission is to save all those animals. We will try to strengthen our relationships with
our rescue partners. That will help them get out to good loving homes.
Commissioner Tenofsky: Will you or someone else from ACC sit on our commission as a non-voting
member?

Ms. Donohue: Yes, we are deciding on that now. Hopefully by next meeting.
Public comment
Maria Conlon, ACC cat volunteer and Give me Shelter volunteer. I would like to see ACC have an attitude
that every life matters. And more transparency for the volunteers. And as other shelters have done, to save
every single animal, either to SPCA or through the shelter. Everyone is very excited that you are on board.
June Wilson: I volunteered at SPCA and ACC for many years. There was poor communications within
agencies and I think they are getting better about that now.
Tea Tager: I am a SF resident with disabilities. I am asking for awareness. I am a service dog owner and
my service dog was reported stolen by me eight weeks ago by me, but because of my communication
challenges, I made the impression that the dog was covered in blood. The rescue group next to animal control
can’t find a way to get the dog and I am very distressed about this. I am poor and do not have resources to
hire help with this. My service dog was with me for a few months and I gave him exercise and time off in
exchange for what he is doing for me. It wasn’t animal control to step in, it was the agency. I wanted to say
thank you to the agency. I would like to ask if there is a problem about his well-being that he go to animal
control. I would like a chance to get my animal back. He is my property but my family he has served me the
past 23 months.

Public comment closed.

General Public Comment
I am sure that everyone is familiar with the Museum of Modern Art. They hired a contractor to do work and
there was a baby raccoon that was trapped by WebCor. An employee released the animal and the employee
got fired. If they had called ACC they would have taken care of the animal. People don’t understand that when
people call an exterminator the animal must be killed if he is caught. If that animal had not been freed by
Todd Sutton, the worker, the animal would be dead today. I wrote a letter that I would like to share. (Time)
Andrea: I think we have a good opportunity to become a model for the country and becoming a non-kill
shelter. The new director may have an outlook to focus on no-kill. Just an idea, in New York City, volunteers
post how many animals are being killed daily. I hope the new director looks at this and sets the tone across
the country.
Thea Hart, Elephant volunteer. Thank you for helping to get the ivory bill AB96 off the ground. Last week,
about 50 people went to Sacramento to the first committee meeting on that bill and it was approved by that
committee, and now in appropriations committee where it is expected to pass. What we need next is, when
the bill comes in front of the Assembly, there are people from the Central Valley who may or may not be on
board so we are trying to get information on AB96 to people who live in the Central Valley, including Chico,
Visalia, please let their Assembly members know that there is more than the NRA in the Central Valley.

 

Public comment closed.

8. Items to be put on the Calendar for Future Commission Meetings
Officers appointment coming up.
Public comment:
The SF Zoo has a lot of feral cats but the zoo won’t take care of them. I have done a lot to try to get
them to take care of their cats, but they won’t. Other zoos take care of their feral cats. I’d like to see that on
the agenda.
No further public comment.

 

 

9. Closing Review of Task Allotments and Next Steps

 

 

10. Adjournment