Animal Care Committee Minutes of Meeting June 16, 2010 5:30pm Ontario room
IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Valerie Burke, Caroline Lane, Janet Andrews, Andrea Sims, Terri Daniels; Denielle Duncan, Yasuko Naka, and Bernice Royce. REGRETS: Tara Sermer, and Dr. Annabel Musson. STAFF: Laura Gold, Committee Clerk GUESTS: Natalie Siviero, Lynn Perrier, and Margret Cheng
	DESCRIPTION	ACTION	ASSIGNED TO
1.Opening Remarks	The Animal Care Committee meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. with Councillor Valerie Burke presiding as Chair. The Committee advised that Caroline Lane will fill the Habitat Cats Animal Care Committee vacancy. Reporting that the Animal Care Committee would now have 3 citizen vacancies. The Committee Clerk was requested to update the Clerk’s Department with respect to this change. Councillor Burke welcomed Ms. Susan McGrath, Provincial Offences Officer, to the Animal Care Committee.	Update Clerk’s Department with respect to changes in the number of Committee vacancies.	Laura Gold
2. TRAP NEUTER AND RETURN	Ms. Susan McGrath, Provincial Offences Officer, provided a presentation entitled “Town of Markham C.A.R.V.E. and H.A.L.T. Programs” regarding the Town’s proposed new animal care services programs (Presentation Enclosed). Ms. McGrath reviewed the following: 1) the Town’s animal care services mandate; 2) the Town’s goals and values with respect to animal care services; 3) the Town’s existing animal care programs; and 3) the Town’s proposed animal care programs. The Committee was interested in the Town’s wildlife education and home audit program. Ms. Andrews requested that information pamphlets on the Town’s wildlife education program be placed at Information Markham this coming Friday, advising that the committee will handout the pamphlets and promote the program at upcoming events. Ms. McGrath advised that the proposed new programs C.A.R.V.E (Confine, Alter, Registration, Vaccinate, and Evaluate) and H.A.L.T (Home At Last) are designed to reduce both the number of unwanted cats, and roaming cat euthanasia rates. She advised that the Town will be responsible for administrating the C.A.R.V.E program, and providing support to the community groups running the program. She noted that the amount of assistance provided would be based on need. Ms. McGrath reported that the Town would be applying for the PetSmart grant, advising that the Town could obtain a maximum of $25,000, which would be used to help fund the proposed animal care services programs. She advised that through the C.A.R.V.E program roaming cats will be trapped, neutered, and micro-chipped, and returned to their registered colony. Reporting that if the cat later shows up at an animal shelter it can be re-homed from the information obtained through the microchip, noting that registration includes ear tipping to provide a visual indicator that the cat has already been trapped neutered and returned to its colony. She advised that the program would later be evaluated to review its effectiveness. Ms. McGrath explained that the H.A.L.T program is designed to re-home cats that have been lost and that were probably once someone’s pet through aggressive adoption campaigns. Volunteer activities would include maintaining adoption websites, liaising with pet shops and other local businesses to help advertise cats that are eligible for adoption. The Committee requested that the presentation be emailed to the Committee. The Animal Care Committee passed the following resolution: Moved by: Janet Andrews Seconded by: Terri Daniels 1)That the Animal Care Committee supports the Town’s proposed Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) programs(C.A.R.E., and H.A.L.T) in principle; and, 2)That the Animal Care Committee request that the Town of Markham staff take the necessary steps to execute the proposed TNR programs due to the over population of free roaming cats in Markham; and, 3)That the Town of Markham Staff commit to reducing the number of free roaming cat euthanasia rates through spaying and neutering sterilization, and by increasing cat adoption rates in Markham; and further, 4) That the Town of Markham Staff recognize that the Town’s management and funding of the proposed TNR programs will have a just impact on free roaming cat euthanasia rates, and cat adoption rates in Markham. CARRIED.	Email presentation to the Committee.	Laura Gold
3. ADOPTION OF THE MAY 12, 2010 ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE MINUTES	A spelling correction was made on page 1 of the minutes The Animal Care Committee approved the minutes from the May 12, 2010 meeting as amended.	Update May 12, 2010 Minutes.	Laura Gold
4. SHELTER UPDATE	No report was provided.
5. CALENDAR	The Committee requested that the Committee Clerk check to see if there are calendar entry forms at Information Markham, and at the Contact Centre. The Committee Clerk was provided with funds to be deposited for calendar submissions, advertisement space, and pre-ordered calendars. It was reported that the Fairchild Group would be doing a story on the Animal Care Committee calendar. The Committee hoped that the story would encourage more calendar submissions. Members were encouraged to talk to there friends and family about submitting a calendar entry form.	Deposit cheques received for calendar submissions; Check to see if there are calendar submission forms at Information Markham, and at the Contact Centre.	Laura Gold
6. BUSINESS PLAN	A final 2010 Animal Care Committee Business Plan was circulated.
7. PARTICIPATION IN UPCOMING EVENTS	Members would be attending the Markham Village Music Festival (note: this event includes Barkham) on June 19 to promote the Calendar and other Animal Care Committee activities. The Committee requested that an email be sent out to Members requesting volunteers to promote the calendar and other Animal Care activities at the Leash Free Park.	Email Member requesting volunteers to promote the calendar and other Animal Care Committee activities at the leash free park in Markham.	Janet Andrews
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.A. Animal Car e Shelter (Woodbine and Highway 7)	The Committee circulated the Animal Care Committee’s response to an email that was sent to the Committee regarding both a volunteer animal shelter in Markham, and her concern with the lack of government funding for animal care services. The Town’s response was also circulated to the Committee. The Committee requested that the Committee Clerk email Animal Care complaints to Denielle Duncan, noting she will respond to the emails and bring any matters of importance forward to the Committee. Moved by Andrea Sims Seconded by Janet Andrews 1) That the Animal Care Committee receive the email from a concerned resident regarding both a volunteer animal shelter in Markham, an the lack of government funding for animal care services; and, 2) That both the Animal Care Committee’s response and the Town of Markham’s response be emailed to the concerned resident. 3) CARRIED. The Committee noted that the Town’s website needed to be updated. Janet Andrew’s advised that she would provide the Committee Clerk with the web links that need to be updated.	Email web links that need updating to the Committee Clerk.	Janet Andrews
9. ADJOURNMENT	The Animal Care Committee adjourned at 7:15 p.m.