2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 January 8, 2009
5:30 PM
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Present, Commissioners: Vicky Guldbech, Laurie Kennedy-Routhier, Andrea Brooks, Pam Hemphill, Philip Gerrie, Sally Stephens, Angela Padilla, David Gordon DVM.
Absent, Commissioners: William Herndon – SF Police, Bob Palacio Rec.& Park
2. General Public Comment
L’Danielle Yacabucci – Outraged at previous meeting minutes insinuated that Nathan Winograd had money coming from tobacco corporations. Looks badly for Commission. Asks that comments be omitted from minutes. Asks that minutes be ready before meeting to review.
3. Approval of Draft minutes from November 13, 2008
Comr. Padilla – Shares concerns of speaker from the public.
Comr. Stephens- Questions if it is legal to pick and choose what is included in minutes. Comments cannot be taken out.
Comr. Routhier – Right. Cannot be taken out but objections can be included.
3. Public Comment
Mark Ennis – Believes that, in section 5 from Comr. Brooks understanding was that the appointed person had to be someone from Commission. Statement from Comr. Stephens when nominated stated that she would have plenty of time. Minutes state that Comr. Brooks said schedule at work would make attending difficult. Wanted to be sure that applications from the public could be taken for this position.
Public comment closed
Comr. Hemphill – Initial impression was the person had to be from the Commission then clarified by the public. Would prefer MP3 on website.
Comr. Guldbech – Needs hookups in the room for MP3 and then need to find out if can be played on our website. I can bring my MP3 player. If I can’t make it, would need backup. If wanted for next meeting let me know.
Minutes approved unanimously with amendments from the tape.
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks. None.
5. New Business
Discussion and possible action to send letter to Board for support of Lights Out for Birds program in SF. Letter of support is included in this months’ agenda.
Comr. Hemphill – Introduces Golden Gate Audubon speaker Mike Lynes. Brought to Commission because of concern for birds affected by light pollution.
Mike Lynes – Director GG Audubon – Introduces co-speaker Noreen Weeden, Chairperson for GGA on Conservation Committee. Program developed in many cities with American Bird Conservancy, Audubon chapters, local governments, and building owners. Program saves birds and saves money from lower electrical costs. Already programs in New York , Chicago , and Toronto . SF would be first city on west coast to develop program. Voluntary program to turn off or dim lights during migratory times of the year, the fall and spring. Will reduce birds hitting buildings while flying at night. Millions of birds are killed when hitting tall lit buildings at night. Migratory birds are in decline due to loss of habitat, predation, and pressure from humans. This is one thing humans can do. Also important because it saves energy and money. Pilot program of study in Fall of 2008 in downtown SF. Collected dead migratory birds such as Green Heron, Swainson’s Thrush. Pilot program showed need for 2009 with more partnering with other groups, more volunteers, and patrolling earlier in the morning around 5 AM around 44 of the tallest buildings. Dept of the Environment and PG&E are partnering to speak with building owners. Hopes program will encourage building owners to turn off their lights and save birds and energy.
Noreen Weeden - In spring and fall of 2007/8,, GGA partnered with City to turn lights off for an hour. Would like to expand program. Save resources and energy.
Comr. Stephens – How many birds did you actually collect last fall?
Noreen Weeden - Collected very few birds with few volunteers. Learned needed to modify collection time earlier to before street sweeping. Birds that were found were migratory and not normally found downtown.
Mike Lynes - Cites statistics from longer surveys from other cities. Single plaza in Toronto counted 6500 birds in six years. Six story building in Manhattan killed 338 birds in 2006. Definite confirmation of birds being killed in longer studies in other cities.
Noreen Weeden – Partnered with ACC. Gave list of migratory birds species so they could record when picking up dead birds. Would like Supervisors to support program. Focus attention to bring more volunteers and voluntary compliance to save resources.
Mike Lynes – Program has succeeded in other cities with support of local government partnering with non-profit groups. When approaching building owners with a letter endorsed by the City, it goes a long way.
Comr. Stephens – Do you see becoming not voluntary in the future?
Mike Lynes – Doesn’t see it coming to that. Even if owners are not concerned about birds are interested in saving money through energy conservation. Business and environmental interests can be aligned.
Comr. Brooks – Has there been active dialogue with building owners yet?
Noreen Weeden - Met with PG&E. Agreed to be a primary building to start program.
Comr. Hemphill – Proposes Commission write cover letter to their letter.
Comr. Stephens - Opposed to cover letter to someone else’s letter. Supports letter from Commission supporting program. Foresees precedent set with other non-profits.
Comr. Hemphill – Glad to write that.
5. Public Comment
David Goggin – Founder of Citizens for Smart Lighting – Supports Lights Out for Birds Program. City’s light pollution is as bad as any city in North America. Light from high rise buildings is major contributor to artificial sky-glow. Lights Out would set an example for other buildings to follow. Wonderful program.
Richard Fong – Doubts effectiveness of turning lights out on large buildings would save birds at night. Birds can’t see buildings if they are dark. Need more statistics to substantiate claim.
Martha Hoffman – SPCA feral cat volunteer – Supports Lights Out for bird safety. Should extend further for concerts and other light-using activities in the park.
Public comment closed
Vote taken and passed unanimously with one abstention, by Comr. Routhier, to send letter of support of Lights Out Program to Supervisors.
Comr. Hemphill -Will rewrite letter from Audubon to be the voice of the Commission. Clarifies that Commission has okayed sending the letter to Supervisors without further approval or discussion. Letter is only asking for support not for any action by Supervisors.
6 Unfinished Business
6A Discussion only of no-kill policies in SF. Speakers from ACC & SF/SPCA.
Comr. Padilla – Set of questions given to speakers to prepare presentations
Rebecca Katz – Interim Director Animal Care & Control - Presenting with Deputy Director, Kat Brown & Eric Zuercher animal care supervisor.
ACC is open door shelter, takes in all animals. Domestic & wild animals. Responds to all calls of concern for animals. Emergency calls, try to respond in 20 minutes. Works on abuse prosecutions with D.A.’s office. Has many educational programs. Most noted, recent coyote awareness campaign. Enforces codes, state & local, concerning animals. Answers questions from public about animal issues. Looks after care of animals kept at ACC. Responds to calls for support from other animal care agencies across State.
Kat Brown – Shows handout of live-release rate for past 5 years. Looked at live-release 10 years ago. Was 49% for other animals and 60% for cats & dogs. Now live-release rate of 84%. Numbers euthanized in most recent fiscal year, 07/08; cats & dogs in , 5751, cats & dogs out, 4844. Number euthanized, 895. Explains numerical discrepancy of numbers not exact due to carry over of dogs and cats into next fiscal year. All animals not in & out in the same fiscal year. Presently seeing more animals besides dogs & cats. More wildlife. More exotics.
Rebecca Katz – Points out that, fiscal year 96/97, 10 years ago, 3624 dog& cats were euthanized, 75% decrease.
Eric Zuercher – Assesses animals in two ways; medically and behaviorally in order to make then available for adoption or not. “Or not” is hard part.
Medical assessment between short and long term problems. Can take on short term problems such as upper respiratory condition. Long term problems such as renal failure or diabetes are not offered for adoption. Acute problems, car accident or poisoning, depending on severity of animal suffering, are euthanized. Chronic problems; feline leukemia, FIV-cats, terminal diseases. Not adopted out but offered to SPCA and rescue groups. Terminal cases are likely to be euthanized. Outside resources and other agencies; SPCA, Pets Unlimited, Peninsula Humane Society.
Behavioral evaluation. Test consistent with other shelters throughout the country. Ease of handling. Guarding food. Getting along with other dogs. Test tries to duplicate what is found in home situations. Public safety concern. Donna Duford has helped refine testing. Testing is set to a standard and is consistent, to be as objective as possible. Keeps in mind, and takes into account, stressful conditions at ACC. Severe aggressive behavior to human or other animals is number one reason to euthanize. ACC/SPCA Adoption Pact states SPCA must take all cats and dogs offered. Allowed three ‘passes’ a month by SPCA if offered animal and is refused by SPCA. Allows room for disagreement. Passes rarely invoked. Maybe one or two a year. Status of animal; available, sick injured, or agreesive. Daily disposition list for animals at shelter over certain length of time. SPCA also does evaluation at ACC. Places animals out by adoptions, redemptions, SPCA, rescue groups. SPCA took 1,854 cats and 122 dogs in 07’08. Big help for ACC. Credits rescue groups, Toni’s Kitty Rescue fostered over 900 orphan kittens in 08, ACC would have had to euthanize without rescue groups. Kittens were under 8 weeks of age. ACC cannot adopt out kittens under 8 weeks. Toni’s Kitty Rescue also fostered new feral kitten socialization program. Handling kittens under 3 months, tames them down rapidly. Saved 200 kittens in past 4 months, without which would have been euthanized. Grateful Dog Rescue; 75% taken by Grateful come from ACC. They rescued 141 dogs in 2007. Rescued 146 dogs in first three quarters of 2008. Dogs were not adoptable, due to medical or behavioral problems. Declined by SPCA. 95% of Lana Bajsel’s Give Me Shelter’s cats come from ACC. Cats have behavioral or health problems. Cats had not passed ACC’s and SPCA’s health assessment. Took 136 cats in 06/07. Save a Bunny took 88 sick and problem-behavior rabbits in 06/07. Not euthanized any adoptable rabbits in 7 years. Rocket Dog took 107 dogs in 07/08 Mostly pit bulls. Pali Boucher takes the worst of the worst. Pit bulls hard to adopt. Can sit in shelter for 2 or 3 months. Pali takes the ones that are not adoptable at all. Muttville takes older, geriatric dogs. Mickaboo/Mickacoo rescues parrots and pigeons. Urban Cat Project’s Anne Feingold takes de-clawed cats. Reptile Rescue takes snakes and lizards. Rattie Ratz takes rats. Pure bred rescue groups also help. Shows pictures of several animals which needed special care. All taken by rescue groups. All would have died without time and effort of rescue groups.
Rebecca Katz – Continues to get euthanasia numbers down by socialization. Give a Dog a Bone’s Corinne Dowling helps dogs in long term shelter care due to enforced custody or medical isolation. ACC has behavior and training division, assesses and works with animals to improve behavior. Bernie’s Groomings has set up in shelter. Pit Bull Ordinance of 2006, which mandates spay-neuter of pit bulls resulted in euthanasia dropping by 400. In 2.5 years before spay/neuter Pit Bull Ordinance, ACC euthanized 1129 pit bulls. In 2.5 years after Pit Bull Ordinance, 760 pit bulls were euthanized. 700 pit bulls have been spay-neutered by Peninsula Humane in free clinic set up in front of ACC once a month.
Other partnerships besides adoptions. SPCA provides subsidized spay-neuters. Behavior-training unit funded by grant from SPCA. Peninsula Humane Society, PHS, takes wildlife for rehab & possible release. Jamie Ray’s ROMP helps by taking wildlife as well. Pet’s Unlimited provides veterinary services including emergency & after hours care. Vet SOS, Street Outreach Services, provides care for pets of the homeless. Major funding partner is Friends of ACC.
Kat Brown – Future for ACC. Expect to take in more wildlife. Helped by PHS, ROMP, and Pets Unlimited. Future concern is increased owner-surrendered animals. Has gone up 12% in last three months and expect it to continue increasing. Faltering economy will possibly affecting funding for ACC in 2009/10. Emphasizes takes in all animals. Facility is aging. Renovated in 1988. Needs new roof. Will cost $300,000. No funds available for that expense. Goal to expand foster program. Many animals don’t do well in shelter environment. Intends to do off site adoption programs. Increased rescue-group partnerships. Recent group specializes in paralyzed rats. Increase educational outreach helps prevent unwanted litters. Improve website capabilities, bring in people from outside area to adopt. Would like to double cat shelter area. Expand medical services. Wants to improve care of all animals equally. Not just cats & dogs. Success of ACC depends on partners, SPCA, breed rescue groups, & volunteers.
Comr. Padilla – What percentage of euthanized cats & dogs, in 07/08 were non-medical and non-behavioral? Due to lack of space or other considerations?
Kat Brown – Zero. ACC does not euthanize for space.
Comr. Hemphill – Can wildlife category be broken down more?
Kat Brown – Doesn’t have data broken down. Estimates better than 50% are birds.
Comr. Gerrie – What are barriers to achieving higher release rates?
Kat Brown – Financial resources and improving existing ageing structure.
Rebecca Katz – Additionally, more foster homes and rescue groups.
Comr. Gerrie – Sounds like you are doing all you can do now to follow the no-kill philosophy?
Rebecca Katz – Doesn’t use term “no-kill”. Feels it can be misleading. People involved in animal care understand it but the larger community misunderstands. ACC has to put animals down due to their suffering and also due to public safety risk. ACC embraces principles of no-kill movement. Community began the principles behind the movement for the past 20 + years.
Comr. Hemphill – Carl Friedman did not support last State spay-neuter bill. Can you see a spay-neuter bill that you would support?
Rebecca Katz – Would have to look very different from 1634. Would have to be in the form to incentivize versus punish. Would have to provide resources. Also would like it to not undercut local pitbull ordinance.
Comr. Stephens – What about low-cost spay-neuter? Peninsula Humane’s program, “Go nuts” is once a month?
Rebecca Katz – Yes, Once a month in front of ACC and once a month in front of Pet Camp.
Comr. Stephens- Are you working with local vets to provide free or low-cost spay-neuter for low income people especially?
Rebecca Katz – Go Nuts is free. SPCA provides low cost spay-neuter and vet care.
Several vets in the City provide low cost spay-neuter to rescue groups. ACC has one vet so lacks ability to provide that service. Also lack space to do it.
Comr. Brooks – Were non-dog/non-cat numbers going up?
Rebecca Katz – Yes, mostly birds.
Kat Brown – Current figures for percentage of cat & dogs coming in is 67% in five year period. Was 72% previously.
Rebecca Katz – Go Nuts van from Peninsula Humane is funded by a grant from a San Franciscan.
Comr. Stephens – Mandating spay-neuter without low cost funding will result in more animals being impounded as Nathan wrote in his book. Next Speaker is Jan McHugh Smith from SPCA
Jan McHugh-Smith – President SF SPCA - Speaking with Dorothy Viollon, Vice-president and Dr. Scarlett, director of Shelter Medicine Services. Since at least 1990 animal welfare groups across the country have been grappling with pet over-population problems and euthanasia of adoptable animals. Former president of SF SPCA, Richard Avanzino, dreamed of not having to euthanize healthy animals. He coined term ‘no-kill’.
Sparked interest across country to save animals. Worked at shelter in Boulder, Colorado at the time and own Board decided to end euthanasia of adoptable animals by 1996. Looked to SF SPCA for modeling and achieved that goal. Movement has sparked partnerships like fostering with groups such at Toni’s kittens. Inter-agency coalitions have developed and become strong. Difficult to define over-population. Working with ACC, has developed benchmarks to track success. Has mandated micro-chipping. Expanded low-cost spay-neuter services. Expanded out-reach adoption programs and through the internet. SPCA is a limited admission shelter. Screens animals admitted for health and behavior so incoming animals can leave alive. Last year, took in 4200 dogs & cats. 2100 came from ACC majority of which needed medical care or treatment. Also offer subsidized spay-neuter for ACC. Other services include $60,000 grant to Friends of ACC to support behaviorist at ACC and Toni’s Rescue. Provided community charity veterinary services. 1.5 million dollars spent taking care of animals with or without guardians. Subsidized spay-neuter for 6500 dogs & cats. Operates free-feral-fix. Did free spay/neuter for 1100 feral cats last year. Provide food for ferals as well. Also provide free consultation for problem with pet behavior. Animal Assisted Therapy, in which volunteers take animals out into 80 community programs, including invalids, shut-ins, hospitals, and senior citizen retirement homes. Program in which kids read to a dog, to work on their English. Has dog-training program for the public. Participates along with ACC in Vet SOS providing free spay-neuter for pets of the homeless.
Vision is to maximize life-saving capacity for dogs& cats. Care is compassionate. Has live-release rate of 98%. Partner with ACC live-release is 84% reflecting decades of effort and work. Most communities in U.S. have euthanasia rate of 50% or more. 4 to 6 million animals are euthanized in the U.S. every year. Achieved high release rate by working together. Has worked to implement original no-kill vision. Expanded beyond that to include care for homeless animals. Employ professional animals trainers to make adoptions successful. Also rescues healthy dogs & cats from crowded shelter from other neighboring communities. No-kill is a label that is confusing with no standard definition.
SPCA has moved away from using that word. Uses Asilomar Accords, which is a statistical formula, to provide transparency for why animals are euthanized. What animals are placed and with what resources. Live-release rate is the most transparent way of telling story. Animals that are euthanized at SPCA take into account their suffering , mental , and physical well-being. Many professionals on staff make that determination. Live-release rate for past 5 years has been over 98% except for 2006 when it was 95%.
Dory Viollon – Accepts animals from ACC in accord with the Adoption Pact. Accepts injured or ill animals that can be safely managed. Forthright about animals not accepted from ACC. Grateful to rescue group that act as safety net for animals not meeting SPCA’s adoption criteria. Partner with other shelters besides ACC. Saved lives, in 07/08 of 1500 animals from other shelters in Bay Area and Central Valley. Primary source is ACC. Shows several slides of individual animals rescued and adopted out by SPCA. Reason animals are brought in from other counties is that, otherwise, they would be euthanized due to lack of space and length of stay. They don’t require medical care or behavior rehabilitation. Give examples of facts for some other counties attributing to high euthanasia rates. Gives other shelters ‘breathing room’ by relieving overcrowding. Every shelter that SPCA transfers from has community programs and spay-neuter voucher programs. Animals brought in from other counties helps SF SPCA by insuring that there is always a selection of adoptable animals. Once in, visitors often adopt older or less than ideal animals from ACC instead.
Jan McHugh-Smith - Shows slides of adoption rates. Jump of owner-surrenders in 2007 compared to previous years. 889 compared to apx 371 in previous years. Jump due to removing restrictions of one year from time of adoption for accepting return animals. Before 2007 returned animals over one year went to ACC. Adoption rates increased due to having more animals on hand. More animals going to rescue groups or returned to guardian if unable to place. Apx. 100 animals euthanized last year. If animal is at SPCA for a long time, original shelter is contacted and animal is exchanged for two new animals. Often animal is adopted out at that shelter. SPCA will take back that animal if unable to place before possible euthanasia. Other shelters often want different types of animals. Often larger animals for areas with more open space. Evaluation process is most controversial aspect of animal welfare. Jean Donaldson put together SPCA’s dog evaluation which includes, animals ability to bond, resource guarding, handling, reactivity, and history. In cat’s it’s just handling. To be able to pick it up and hug it. SPCA works under Asilomar Accords which created standard definitions for words such as, ‘healthy’, 8 weeks or older without behavioral or medical concerns, ‘treatable-rehabilitatable’ condition that can be resolved with treatment including under-age animals in foster care.
‘Treatable-manageable’ condition that a guardian can handle. ‘Unhealthy-untreatable’ condition that presents a danger to the community. Definitions closely mirror adoption pact that was used as a basis for the Accords. Largest problem in country is increase in cats. Estimates feral population might be up to 50 million in U.S. Decrease of incoming dogs due to spay-neuter. Increase of surrenders due to economy. Helps with vet payments with payment plans and discounts for low-income guardians.
Dr. Scarlett – SPCA Shelter Medicine Program – Think about homeless animals as a type of disease which has killed more animals. In veterinary world, shelter medicine specialty began in 2001. Has been a short time veterinarians have had access to academia and funding on how to treat this disease. Has been involved in community and shelter work in last 8 years. Worked on better shelter care and decreasing reasons animals come into shelters. Much information just recently being published. Two undoubted trends. First, crowding. Crowding increases disease which increases manpower needed to treat animals. Leads to compassion fatigue. Second trend, increase in spay-neuter. If staff overworked due to crowding, decreased time for spay-neuter. Euthanasia goes up. Misguided approaches to no-kill leads to crowding. Has happened recently in over-crowded shelters where death due to over-crowding and injury has exceeded euthanasia rates. In other cases, misguided approaches to no-kill and crowding have blunted positive effects of no-kill. Animals suffer when crowded together. They are behaviorally and physically taxed. Research over several years has shown that if shelters decrease crowding, by increased adoptions, disease goes down. When disease goes down focus goes to increasing spay-neuter and expanding Asilomar Accords. Able to treat formerly untreatable animals with increased adoptions. Goal is adopt out as many animals as possible. Keep shelter animals healthy to be able to bond with new owners. Hopes to increase spay-neuter from currently 6,500 to 13,000 in coming years. In last year, SPCA had increased adoptions, shortened time in shelter, increased health, saved more lives. All without a mandate.
Jan McHugh-Smith – SPCA embraces no-kill philosophy. Saving animals goes beyond city boundaries. Goal is save as many animals as possible. Mandate of no-kill in SF will not save more lives. Working and expanding on existing programs and partnerships will. Problem is complex and every community needs to find what works best. One broad stroke will not solve a complex problem. A mandate would increase animals in shelters. Increase animal suffering. Animals stay, by UC Davis expert, should be just 14 days. No-kill mandate would mean extensive stay for animals at great cost. People can argue definitions for years to come. Only way to help animals is to work together.
Comr. Brooks – Offered discount adoption fees last year. How did that work out?
Jan McHugh-Smith – Incentive was mostly for cats who had been in the shelter for many months. Staff sponsored incentive to have cats placed in homes. Follow up has helped with any problems. Following Wisconsin’s lead. They don’t charge anything for cats in shelter over 6 months. Cats are plentiful. Available on Craig’s list, in front of supermarkets. Neighbors’ cat litter. Better to get a cat who is spay-neutered and vaccinated.
Comr. Stephens – Mentioned transferred to shelters in other communities. Do you transfer to shelters that kill animals? Or just rescue groups or shelter which do not euthanize for space.
Jan McHugh-Smith - Have agreements with other shelters. Apx. 60 animals a year are transferred out. If they can’t be placed, they will call and return the animal. Some are open admission doing euthanasia. Some are rescue groups.
Comr. Stephens – You do follow up if your animals have been euthanized at another shelter? You said they will call but do they?
Jan McHugh-Smith – Its an honor system. We don’t follow up.
Comr. Stephens – If a guardian wants to surrender their pet and have it euthanized do you question it?
Jan McHugh-Smith – We don’t do guardian-requested euthanasias unless through our veterinary hospitals.
Comr. Stephens – On SPCA website is shows transfers of dogs from ACC and all other rescue transfers. It looks like only a third of your dogs come from ACC.
Jan McHugh-Smith – Yes, two-thirds of our dogs come from other communities. We are primarily a cat-shelter. We get three cats for every dog.
Comr. Stephens – It also appears on-line that as many treatable/manageable animals are euthanized as unmanageable/untreatable animals.
Jan McHugh-Smith – We keep the Asilomar Accord statistics starting in 2007. We went back in 2006, looking at the records. Initial assessment of treatable/manageable was incorrect.
Comr. Stephens – What is the Cinderella Fund?
Jan Mchugh-Smith – It is apx. $100,000 a year. It pays for homeless animals. It is fund-raised by our auxiliary, CLAW.
Comr. Stephens – Has there been talk of helping rescue groups with this fund for the more expensive operations?
Jan McHugh-Smith – Have been meeting with rescue groups on how to work together better. Talks of SPCA offering discounts for rescue groups as well as spay-neuter. SPCA spends much more than $100,000 on homeless animals. SPCA provides hundreds of thousands of dollars of free veterinary care to people that can’t afford it. Relying on community support to expand programs. Statistics of spay-neuters show that the majority are done for free to 75% off.
Comr. Stephens – Have you given thought to providing a sort of half-way house for dogs? Between a shelter and a foster home.
Dr. Scarlett - Started the Fospice Program, a foster hospice program. Provide care for end-of-life animals. Some of the animals are young with congenital conditions needing follow up medical care. Foster program includes dogs but primarily under-age cats.
6 A Public Comment
Kim Tso – Cites SPCA graph in year 2007. Points out discrepancy in addition of number of animals. Error also in animals at SPCA kept in cages for more than six months. Animals at Maddies kept in condominiums. Maddies has been built up by no-kill. Statement that no-kill doesn’t work is over simplified.
Michelle - Volunteer SPCA – Comment on Jan’s statement that assessing cats was to make sure they could get a hug. Laughed at statement. Participates in progressive assessment for cats. Cats will hide when first brought home. Some cats make good pets but can never be picked up. SPCA not a no-kill shelter but is a no-cruelty shelter.
Lana Bajsel – Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue – Discrpencies on what Dory & Jan said. Met with them last fall. Felt they were unwilling to listen to their concerns. Unwilling to screen adopters for minimum level of qualifications. One example, refusal to treat dog in respiratory distress due to disputed $120 bill from 1999. Refusal led to dog’s death. SPCA response was, “He owed us money.” Second example. Elderly disabled woman brought her sick dog to SPCA hospital. The dog died, SPCA refused to dispose of the body because the woman could not pay. Woman was forced to remove the dead dog’s body from hospital. When concerns were brought up SPCA was unwilling to change adoption criteria. Taking in dogs from other counties is at the expense of adoptable dogs from ACC in violation of the spirit of the adoption pact. SPCA donors believe that their contributions fund animals in need. Rescue groups are actually doing that work with little money. SPCA is running a retail pet store.
Stephanie Ladeira – Humane Society Silicon Valley – Commends ACC & SPCA. Everyone in Animal Welfare in Bay Area wants to save lives. Collaboration is more important than terminology which can be divisive. Mandate no-kill policy is not the answer. Focus on live release rate is. No-kill mandate would force SF animal welfare organizations to explain the term no-kill rather than focusing on saving lives. Euthanasia is a complex issue that cannot be solved by passing mandates.
Lisa Vittori – SPCA & ACC lying. They say they are taking care of animals. They are cherry-picking cutest dogs & cats from out-of-county shelters for adoption. SPCA refuses to take in many less desirable animals. Currently has dogs adopted from rescue groups refused by SPCA. SPCA has diverted money for new medical center at the expense of the animals.
Kathleen McGarr – Fix SanFrancisco – Wants to know what percentage of increased adoptions at SPCA were out-of-county. What percentage were returned and then adopted out again and thus were counted twice. Since SPCA has more resources and expertise than other county shelters they should be taking in tougher cases from those shelters. Doesn’t agree with idea of having cute animals available and public will wind up adopting older animals or special needs animals instead.
Philip Hoffman – SPCA cat socializer – Has socialized hundreds of cats. Bothered by term no-kill. Better term is mercy & common sense. Socializing can take time. Cites examples.
Julene Johnson – Fix San Francisco & volunteer at ACC – Easy to find homes for healthy animals. More challenging to find homes for animals with medical or behavior problems. As society, should save as many animals as possible. Shouldn’t go to outlying shelters and pick the most adoptable to increase adoption numbers. Should focus on animals at need in SF shelters first. Should help rural shelters implement no-kill principles to reduce homeless numbers such as subsidized spay-neuter programs. Foster homes, etc.
Laura Massa - SPCA’s push to maximize funding for Leanne Roberts Animal Care Center has been at the cost of SF’s animals. Focus on money not good. Financial burden will last for years. Cites examples. SPCA has lost its way.
Laura Fairbanks – Noticed interest during meeting in photos and commentary on special needs animals. These animals should not be ignored and not assumed to be unadoptable.
Chris Benninger – President Humane Society Silicon Valley – Understands discussion is about having a no-kill mandate in SF. Has been in the field for 15 years. Has found no-kill terminology very divisive. Becomes good guys vs. bad guys. Open-door shelters such as Silicon Valleys’ become the bad guys. Takes in all animals. The vicious and the very sick. Euthanasia is necessary. As the bad guy, receive fewer donations to take care of problem animals which increases euthanasia. No-kill term has been on the decrease in last five years. Save rate has gone up in Bay Area. More funding is coming in. More resource sharing among organizations.
Allison Lindquist – Director East Bay SPCA – Not technically an open shelter. Agrees with principles of no-kill philosophy. Issue with words ‘no-kill’. It tells the public we never kill any animal. Misleading to lay people. When definition is explained they get it. Necessary to euthanize unadoptable animals for behavioral or medical problems yet still define as no-kill.
Marc Toft – ACC Volunteer & fixsanfrancisco.org - Takes issue with SPCA method of evaluating cats. SPCA should allocate resources to animals needing special attention for adoption.
Cynthia Cox – fixsanfrancsico.org – Doesn’t see no-kill as a mandate but as a mission. Long way to go to reach goal.
Martha Hoffman – SPCA feral cat team – Doesn’t believe no-kill concept is confusing. No-kill is an attitude and a goal. People dumping animals in GG Park. Worked with ferals there since 1993. Need behavior help line. Wants SPCA to reinstitute behavior guidelines.
Nadine May – SPCA feral fix program – Supports Martha. No-kill is not a mandate. Doesn’t agree that people don’t understand the concept. Lots of adoptable animals coming from ACC declined by SPCA. Urges to view no-kill as a mission.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci – SPCA feral cat program – No-kill only divisive when not addressed properly. Wants more adoption by SPCA from ACC. Other counties must take care of their own better. Is expert on taking care of feral cats. SPCA should work more to save ferals before deciding to euthanize. Volunteers are underutilized.
Nancy Stafford – SPCA’s priority should be to take care of animals in SF as support come from SF residents. Wants SPCA to give more to rescue groups in grants and space because they take animals from ACC that SPCA rejects.
Marian Golliam – SPCA volunteer – Loves no-kill terminology. Public easily understands that some behavior and health problems are exceptions to that policy. Would we kill humans that are too crowded?
Public comment closed
Comr. Padilla – Thanks presenters for their hard work. Commission intends to continue to work on this issue in spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
Comr. Stephens – Question to Commissioners of possible roll for Commission to play in this sort of mandating? Coordination? Oversight? Commission on the Environment is developing wildlife plan by Ruth Gravanis which originally excluded cats & dogs. The larger commission overruled her and included cats & dogs. Fearful that the plan will call for killing of feral cats as original Natural Area Program, NAP’s Draft Management Plan had done. Has spoken at sub-committee meetings on the Commission for the Environment that ACWC should be included in the decision. Felt her suggestion was not considered. Encourages feral cat advocates to keep an eye on Commission of the Environment. Encourages fellow Commissioners to look at the Best Friends website. Has info on what has worked and not worked towards saving animals.
6B Discussion and possible action to determine process for appointment by our Commission to the Joint Zoo Committee, JZC.
Comr. Stephens - Believes assumption was we would appoint someone from our Commission. Appointing a Commissioner, that person represents our Commission and is accountable. If the person is not from our Commission unsure of accountability. Uncomfortable with not having accountability. Appointee is representing ACWC. Argues strongly person should be from our Commission. Wants to see change for the welfare of the animals. That voice should be an effective voice. Taking applications is burdensome for the Commission. If person could not serve, new round of applications would be necessary. Talked with JZ chair, Tom Harrison, who’s looking forwards to having someone to ask questions they don’t think to ask. Is willing to serve. Andrea Brooks and I were part of the negotiations when before the Board. If appointed, agrees to meet with animal rights activists once or twice a month before JZ meetings.
Comr. Hemphill – Would like to see nomination open to the public that has expertise with exotic animals issues - that is familiar with the zoo. Applications would not take long to look at.
Comr. Gerrie – Agrees with Comr. Hemphill. Comr. Stephens can be a candidate but it should be open to the public as well. Should make effort to get the best candidate and not take easy way by just appointing someone from our Commission.
Comr. Routhier – Would like person to be someone that works well with others. Can get a lot more done when working with people. Becomes divisive when one doesn’t do that effectively. Supports Sally. Likes comment made about willing to talk with animal activists. Is comfortable with being liaison between differing groups.
Comr. Brooks – Wants to keep nomination of Sally. Feels she would be best person in that role Having someone from ACWC would not exclude other voices.
Comr. Padilla – Supports Sally. She is well qualified. Moves to nominate Sally.
Comr. Hemphill – What about public comment?
Comr. Stephens – We can get a motion, seconded and then get public comment on the motion.
6B Public Comment
Deniz Bolbol – Spearheaded effort five years ago to save elephants that were dying. Successfully worked with Commission then to get recommendation to the Supervisors to rescue elephants and close the exhibit. Last year, brought issue of a rescue zoo to Commission and then to the Supervisors. Lost by only two votes of the full Board. It was about animal welfare issues as well as creating a new vision for the zoo. Mayor’s letter was specific about appointing an animal welfare representative. Letter never said it should be a Commissioner. Has video from JZ that clarified that point. Is only person to have attended JZC meetings for last five years. It is only due to me that this position is open for discussion. We need an animal advocate on JZ not a representative of an animal advocate.
Lisa Vittori – Deniz’s statement is why there is public comment. Would have supported Sally if had not heard from Deniz. Need a strong advocate for the zoo animals. Deniz is that person.
Mark Ennis – Disappointed if voted on tonight among Commissioners. Would have been voted on last month except for having demanded public comment. Doesn’t have to be a Commissioner. If just voting among Commissioners, not representing people of SF. Won’t know if there are people better qualified than Deniz or Sally if applications are not allowed. ACWC Commissioners have not been to JZC meetings in last five years.
Julene Johnson – Support opening it up the public including Comr. Stephens, to get best person.
Richard Fong – Has been educated in many aspects of animal husbandry. Had come tonight to be considered for the position but changed mind after hearing Deniz Bolbol. Supports her.
Marc Toft – Supports Deniz, a strong animal advocate to speak for animals at the zoo. Zoo needs a radical person.
Public comment closed.
Comr. Hemphill – Need to clarify intent of JZ before appointing representative by our Commission.
Comr. Brooks – It wasn’t the decision of JZ to add on any seats.
Comr. Hemphill – Understanding was we were to appoint someone to serve on that Commission.
Comr. Gerrie – Uncomfortable with voting without knowing what qualifications Sally has for this position. Prefer application process to see on paper and hear candidates speak on their behalf. Wants to include public in that process. Doesn’t believe many will apply.
Comr. Hemphill – Shouldn’t move ahead until issue is clarified.
Comr. Padilla – Will anything give us more clarification than what has been said?
Comr. Hemphill – Yes. The Mayor’s letter and video from JZ. We need to clarify if the appointment is ‘from’ or ‘by’ the Commission.
Comr. Routhier- Would that disqualify Sally?
Comr. Gerrie – No. Just to clarify if ‘of’ or ‘by’.
Comr. Padilla – Withdraws motion until we agree on what was the Mayor’s intent.
Comr. Brooks – We need to see the letter from the Mayor’s office.
Comr. Stephens – Should have two people work on finding out what the intent was.
Comr. Gerrie – Would be willing to work with Comr .Brooks on it.
Comr. Stephens -Will ask City Attorney if they will give a decision.
Comr. Gerrie – Had discussion with City Attorney last year in which that attorney down-played finality of his/her decisions. Rulings are not final but just another opinion.
Comr. Stephens – Motion tabled until we find something out.
7 General Public Comment
Lisa Vittori – Would like to see dog rescue groups give presentations to no-kill as ACC & SPCA did tonight. Danger in people just being able to work together. Wanting to be liked then not being a strong advocate. Has seen Comr. Guldbech be a strong advocate yet someone easy to work with. Unlikable people can also get stuff done.
Julene Johnson – Recommendation to look at Mayors Alliance for NYC Animals. Is a coalition of 140 shelters, profit & non-profit. Supported by Mayor’s office.
Comr. Padilla- Is working on inviting rescue groups to speak and is looking at NYC Mayor’s alliance for guidance.
8 & 9 Items for future Commission Meetings & Task Allotments
Comr. Brooks – Continuing discussion of no-kill. Comr. Gerrie and I will follow up on getting understanding on appointment to JZ.
Comr. Guldbech – Offers to buy a MP3 player for the Commission to use.
10 Adjournment 8:55PM
Respectfully submitted by
Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary