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Animal Services Accomplishments Building the Foundation

Animal Services Accomplishments Building the Foundation. 2003 – Dr. Guidry meets with elected officials and animal services ranked as number one concern Dr. Guidry directs first ever animal summit March 30, 2004 - 100 attendees HD to discuss plans for improvement

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Animal Services Accomplishments Building the Foundation

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  1. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2003 – Dr. Guidry meets with elected officials and animal services ranked as number one concern • Dr. Guidry directs first ever animal summit • March 30, 2004 - 100 attendees • HD to discuss plans for improvement • Community ideas and perspectives on short and long term improvements • Drafted a plan of action

  2. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Early 2004 - Management changes along with operational changes • Hours of operation - more customer friendly • Open shelter to rescues, volunteers, fosters • Dr. Dana Beckham agrees to be Veterinary consultant • Regulatory compliance • Animal care • DSHS conducts follow up inspection – March violations corrected

  3. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Drafting of new Animal Services Interlocal Agreement – effective in October 2005 • Animal Services Advisory Committee address the need for low cost spay/neuter • HD drafts list of priorities • Shelter repairs • Standard Operating Procedures • Data Management system • Training and Certification of staff

  4. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Group of concerned citizens form “Friends of the Galveston County Animal Shelter” • August 2004 – first ever “Adopt-a-Thon” held, 23 animals adopted • Antiquated phone system replaced along with the addition of computer cabling and the installation of a computer network • Animal Services staff attend San Leon Town Hall meeting to listen to animal services issues

  5. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2005 – Health District along with Animal Services sponsors two 8-hour euthanasia courses for 62 participants • Floor in kennel sealed as mandated by state audit • Internal audits satisfactory, recommendations for future improvements listed • Galveston County Animal Services Advisory Committee continues to meet in accordance with Interlocal Agreement and state mandate

  6. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • City of Texas City and HD sign MOU allowing jail trustees to work off community time in shelter • 2005 – 2,000 additional animals processed from year prior. Adoption rate up 12% and euthanasia rate down by 8% • 2 - Additional full time animal care technicians added to current staff. • Animal Services along with Friends of the Shelter participate in candlelight vigil at county shelter in observance of National Homeless Animals Day

  7. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • First animal shelter data management system purchased • Animal Control Officers begin nighttime and weekend sweeps in response to San Leon/Bacliff residents concerns. • Animal Control Officers filing cases within city limits in municipal courts at request of city partners • Animal Summit held at Wayne Johnson Community Center…information on accomplishments presented…open up to public comment… spay/neuter programs, disease testing, vaccinations, review fee schedule some of the topics of discussion

  8. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2006 – fifth Animal Control Officer added to keep up with increased demand • Shelter Improvements • New kennel gates • Suspended ceiling in kennel • New flooring • Security cameras • Replacement of commercial freezer

  9. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2006 Animal Statistics – intake increases by 82 animals over year 2005 (8082), adoption increases to 38.2% while euthanasia decreases roughly 10% (58% rate) • Recommendations from Adoption Subcommittee • $85 fee to include mandatory spay/neuter, rabies vaccination and microchip • Purchase of replacement vehicle • 2007 – Animal Issues Committee formed to draft an Animals in Disaster Plan – covers evacuation and post disaster recovery • 2007 sees another increase by 11% bringing the total intake to 8,984 animals • Adoption rate increases and Euthanasia decreases

  10. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • New Animal Services Policy approved by Board of Health • Compliance with state requirements • Mandatory sterilization of all adopted animals • Unlimited number of animals if all sterilized • Update to dangerous dog declarations • Prohibition on new dangerous wild animals in county • Streamlined kennel registration

  11. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Shelter donations increase – PetSmart Grant obtained for care of seized animals • 2008 – animal intake demand decreased both from citizens (17%) and from ACOs (28%). Adoption rate decreased by 6.1 % (34.8%) while euthanasia rates increased by 7.4% (57.4%) • Little storm known as Hurricane Ike hits Texas Coast

  12. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Ike Response • Animal Services activates Animal Disaster Plan • Best Friends Animal Society, HSUS, PetSmart arrive with supplies and volunteers • Texas State Animal Resource Team arrives with veterinarians • Temporary shelters constructed • Animals are rescued and sheltered • Staff reunites 75 animals with their owners

  13. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Animal Shelter Stats: Hurricane Ike • 614 animals sheltered • 272 transported by HSUS to Florida • 87 to Dallas • 45 to Nashville • 25 to Richmond Hills • Volunteer hours – 3600 • Donations • $75,000 worth supplies from PetSmart • $15,000 HSUS • $2,000 Shelter Buddies to replace lost vacciantions

  14. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2008 Additional Accomplishments • Voters approve bonds for construction of new shelter • Veterinary Technician position funded • Vaccinations to be administered to all incoming animals • Contract executed with Carolina Biologicals for purchase of cat cadavers • Standard Operating Procedure improvements including an isolation procedure due to distemper outbreak

  15. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • 2009 Very Exciting Year • Planning and design work of new Animal Resource Center begins…Architect introduced • New source of funding • Boot Kikkers Bingo Fund • Used for the health and welfare of our shelter animals • May 30, 2009 – Animal Summit • Animal Resource Center plans introduced • Discussion on future operations at new resource center

  16. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Staff reviews and selects Shelter Pro Animal Data Management Software • Tracks animals and people • Better reports for our cities • Financial monitoring • Uploads to PetFinder • March 2010 construction begins, estimated completion date May 2011

  17. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Discussions begin on increases to operational expenses realized at new Animal Resource Center • Staffing (requested 5 FTEs, received 2.5 FTEs) • Utility cost increases • Supplies and material • HD Staff address these increased expenditures with County Commissioner Court

  18. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Senior for Senior reduced adoption fee ($20.00) program approved by Board • Animal Services Manager informs the Board of Health of the various programs, duties, needs, issues and goals of the Animal Services Division • ACOs providing city enforcement “sweeps” in each member city and the county • Shelter hit by lightning – loss of equipment

  19. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Animal Services participates in off-site adoption event at Hearthstone Assisted Living Center • Construction continues at ARC, generator from 1207 Oak Street Site will be relocated to ARC • 2011 - HD establishes an animal services agreement with the Humane Society of the United States to provide support in disasters

  20. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Members of Animal Services Advisory Committee express concerns about “Backyard Breeding” • May 17th Commissioners Court Workshop on animal resource center operational expenses • May 31st training begins on new software – Shelter Pro • Jethro – Animal Resource Center mascot attends several outreach functions

  21. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Animal Alliance donates $16,000 to increase height of panels in stray kennels • Work begins on new draft of the Animal Services Interlocal Agreement • Developed Striving to Treat Animals with Respect or STARS Volunteer program to support the animal resource center

  22. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • November 28, 2011 – Grand Opening of Galveston County Animal Resource Center • Additional staffing • Animal Care Technician Team Leader • Animal Care Technician • Part Time Clerk/Dispatcher • January 2012 – Whiskerville Seizure • Board approves special Whiskerville adoption rate of $10

  23. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Animal Services Interlocal Agreement completed • Scope of Services • Use of Census Data • Clarification to funding formula • Creation of surplus funds • Appointment of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary for Animal Services Advisory Committee

  24. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Animal Intake and Quarantine Facility renovations completed • Quarantine Facility modifications – in compliance with state mandates • Animal Services Advisory Committee meets and discusses allocation of surplus fund for FY 2013 – crematorium into compliance • Introduction of Animal Services Business Manager • New business model discussed

  25. Animal Services AccomplishmentsBuilding the Foundation • Future accomplishments • On line pet registration with on-line payments • Pet crematorium • Review of redemption procedures • Replacement of vehicles • Lap tops in ACO vehicles (donated) • Volunteer recruitment

  26. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Improvement Area • Management Practices • Active leadership • Clear expectations/roles • Management of personnel issues • New hire and terminated employee procedures • Proper handling of personnel issues (e.g. corrective action, confidentiality) • Timely and appropriate communication • Understanding how decisions are made

  27. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Recommendation • Management Practices • Provide adequate training to new manager • Ensure expectations are clear and documented • Schedule regular meetings or accessible means for communication with Director and/or Executives to ensure issues/concerns are addressed • Work through the organization’s structure when addressing concerns (e.g. board, advisory committee, GCHD management)

  28. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Improvement Area • Controls/Accountability • Consistent and accurate data input into ShelterPro System • Accurate reporting and database • Financial controls as related to money intake for charges • Consistent and accurate documentation • Written SOPs • Controlled substances log • Volunteers, rescue groups, fosters • Tracking of Governmental Property • Documentation of damaged property • Chain of custody for assets • Timely and effective ordering of inventory (supplies) • Budget awareness

  29. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Recommendation • Controls/Accountability • Written procedures • Train staff • Perform quality assurance checks/audits • Business Manager • Compliance Auditor

  30. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Improvement Area • Staffing • Time management • Approval of non-scheduled hours/following Comp Time Accrual Limits Recommendation • Ensure staff is aware of time expectations in job duties, monitor break times • Provide proper staffing and ensure staff is following procedures regarding non scheduled work hours • Proper approval of work hours

  31. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Improvement Area • Customer Service • Accessibility to make payments online • Welcoming environment (for customers and staff) Recommendations • Implement online payment process • Train staff on customer service (e.g. how to greet customers, deal with conflicts)

  32. Animal ServicesAreas for Improvement and Recommendations Improvement Area • Marketing/Increase Awareness of ARC • Educate community (cities, private vets, volunteers, rescue groups, fosters) • Awareness of animals available for adoption • Website and social media Recommendations • Provide information to the community on regulations (e.g. pet registration) • Redesign ARC website (ARCpets.org) and utilize social media • Promote adoptions through media sources and community channels

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