Animal Care Committee Minutes of Meeting March 19th, 2008 5:30pm Ontario room
IN ATTENDANCE: Kimberley Kitteringham, Councillor Valerie Burke, Christy Brailey, Yasuko Naka, Terri Daniels, Barbi Lazarus, Denielle Duncan, Bernice Royce, & Julia Burke. REGRETS: Rachel Lau & Sheila Birrell GUESTS:
	DESCRIPTION	ACTION	ASSIGNED TO
Minutes Review	Minutes Confirmed.	No further action required.
Brochures	All animal related brochures and colouring books are to be kept.	Donate all non-animal related handouts to the children’s daycare at the Civic Centre	Christy
Annual Work Plan	The Committee agreed to the following: 1. Proclamation of “Be Kind to Animals” Week May 4^th to 10^th, 2008 is going to the April 29^th Council meeting. 2. Adoption days are being held in May and October/November. 3. Pet Fair is to take place September 27^th, 2008 at the Markham Museum. 4. Thornhill Village Festival is to take place on September 20^th, 2008	1. No further action required. 2. Organize the venue; contact Petsmart for facility availability. 3. Circulate the Work and Improvement Plans from the last pet fair to committee. Invite Anna Rose from the Museum to the next meeting for her input. 4. Arrange for therapy dog to be present at the festival.	Denielle Christy Bernice
Absenteeism	Councillor Burke noted last meeting that several individuals have not been attending Committee meetings. Sheila contacted Chris and Jane, both have agreed to resign, as they are too busy to attend, but would like to stay on the mailing list and will volunteer their time for Pet Fairs when they can. Sheila was unable to receive a response from Mary.	Pass a resolution containing the resignations at Council. Attempt to contact Mary one last time.	Valerie
New Business	1. Barbi has drafted a Humane Education Pamphlet. The Committee would like the pamphlet distributed to local schools. 2. Denielle expressed concerns with regards to the cat traps being rented to Markham residents. She advised the Committee that taking the cats to the animal shelter does not solve the problem, as there is a “vacuum” affect, when one cat leaves, another takes its place. The best way to handle trapped cats is to call a rescue organization or to Spay/Neuter the animal and release them. 3. Richmond Hill announced that they have included funding for an animal shelter in their budget, however have recently signed a three year contract with the OSPCA. 4. Committee members were concerned with the lack of detail/history on the animals found on the PAWS website.	1. Contact the York Region District School Board to inquire about the inclusion of the pamphlet. 2. Advise the Committee how many traps are loaned out and where the individuals are instructed to take the cats they have trapped. Provide proper educational materials to those renting the traps. 3. Kimberley contacted Richmond Hill and has been advised that Council has opted not to open the shelter at this time, however will revisit the idea in the future. They hope to begin contract negotiations for a three year term with the OSPCA in April 4. Draft a webpage to be included on the Town’s website that will outline “Adoption Success Story of the Month”, “Adoptable Pets”, and “Found Animals”.	Kim Christy Christy
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 5:30pm, Ontario Room