Animal Care Committee

Minutes of Meeting

July 21, 2010

5:30pm Ontario room

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Valerie Burke, Caroline Lane, Janet Andrews, Andrea Sims, Terri Daniels; Denielle Duncan, Tara Sermer, and Yasuko Naka.

REGRETS: Dr. Annabel Musson, and Bernice Royce.

STAFF: Laura Gold, Committee Clerk

GUESTS: Margret Cheng, and Avery Stewart

	DESCRIPTION	ACTION	ASSIGNED TO
1.Opening Remarks	The Animal Care Committee meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. with Councillor Valerie Burke presiding as Chair.
2. ADOPTION OF THE JUNE 16, 2010 ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE MINUTES	Moved by Denielle Duncan Seconded by Janet Andrews That the minutes from the June 16, 2010 Animal Care Committee be approved as presented. CARRIED.
3. TRAP NEUTER AND RETURN	The Committee reviewed an email from Susan McGrath, Provincial Offences Officer, providing an update on the Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) Project. The Committee inquired when the project would start and requested that regular updates be provided with respect to the program development. It was noted that the partnering organizations Urban Cat Relief and Action Volunteers for Animals (AVA) also need to be updated with respect to the program status. Councillor Valerie Burke was requested to email Susan McGrath in regards to this matter.	Email Susan McGrath to gather more information with respect to TNR project status – Councillor Valerie Burke.
4. ADOPTION DAY	The Committee was advised that this Saturday is kitten adoption day. Members were requested to volunteer and provide assistance on adoption day. Members kindly requested that in the future more notice be provided when requesting them to volunteer. Councillor Burke advised there would be more adoption days and opportunities to volunteer.	Request that Staff provide more notice when asking Members to volunteer – Laura Gold
5. SHELTER UPDATE	No report was provided.
6. CALENDAR	Calendar Update Denielle Duncan advised that approximately 300 calendar submissions will have been received by the end of the week. She reported that last year the Committee had a total of 360 submissions, but noted that more advertisement space was sold this year. Ms. Duncan advised that 131 pre-ordered calendars were sold last year and 120 pre-ordered calendars were sold this year. She reported that she was waiting for 4 or 5 people to email their photo submissions. She advised that a Member was needed to scan the pictures for the calendar. The Committee thought it would keep the same calendar format as last year. Ms. Caroline Lane advised that blank spots would be filled with pictures of rescue cats. The Committee was advised they could continue to accept calendar submissions and pre-sell calendars at this time. The Committee Clerk advised she had requested the Town’s Information Technology Services to investigate automating the calendar submission process. The Committee Clerk was requested to provide the graphics from the animal care campaign that appeared on the eco-media bins to the Committee by early next week, as the graphics will be included in the 2011 Animal Care Committee calendar. The Committee also requested that the Committee Clerk provide the following details with respect to the animal care campaign that appeared on the eco-media bins: 1) When the campaign occurred 2) The duration of the campaign 3) The location of the eco-media bins 4) When the Town will re-run the campaign The Committee thought that a graphic of an older person with a dog should be incorporated into the campaign. Banner The Committee Clerk advised that she had requested Corporate Communications to order a banner for the Committee. She reported that she would follow-up with Corporate Communications and provide an update at the next meeting. The Committee advised they would like Animal Care Committee written on the banner with the animal graphic used in its calendar on the banner. The Committee suggested meeting August 5 to pick the animal of the Month. Caroline Lane was requested to coordinate this meeting with the applicable Committee Members. The Committee will communicate by email to decide which articles will be included in the calendar. Some suggestions included: 1) how to introduce a rescued dog to the family; 2) information with respect to what to do if you lose your cat or dog; 3) information about the calendar; and 4) animal biographies.	Arrange for photos to be scanned – Applicable Committee Members Provide graphics from the Animal Care Service campaign that appeared on eco-media bins in Markham - Laura Gold Find out Animal Care Service Campaign specification (when it occurred, the duration of the campaign, where the bins were located, and when the campaign will be run again) – Laura Gold Suggest to Corporate Communications adding an older adult with a dog as part of their Animal Care Services campaign – Laura Gold Follow up with Corporate Communications with respect to the banner being ordered for the Committee and provide further design specifications – Laura Gold Meet to select the animals of the month – Applicable Committee Members Communicate by email to decide articles to be included in the calendar – Applicable Committee Members
7. BUSINESS PLAN	No report was provided.
8. PARTICIPATION IN UPCOMING EVENTS	Markville Mall Community Table The Committee reviewed the application to have a community table at Markville Mall. It agreed to try and book the table for the first, second or third weekend in November. Thornhill Village Festival The Committee was advised that this years Thornhill Festival was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. Markham Fair (September 30 – October 3) The Committee was advised that everyone needs to volunteer to work at the booth at Markham Fair. Terri Daniels was requested to make up a schedule. It was noted that the Committee is obligated to be there for the entire duration of Markham Fair. Members were encouraged to ask friends and spouses to assist the Committee at Markham Fair, noting that volunteers that are not Committee Members will not be left alone.	Submit form requesting a community table at Markville Mall – Laura Gold Make up schedule for Markham Fair – Terri Daniels Ask family and friends to volunteer at Markham Fair – All Committee Members
9. NEW BUSINESS 9.A. T-Shirts 9.B. Too Good Pond	T-shirt Discussion The Committee discussed what type of T-shirts it would like to have ordered. It agreed on the following T-Shirt specifications: · white T-shirts · Town of Markham logo on the left sleeve · Paw with Animal Care Committee written underneath on the top left corner of the front of the t-shirt A Member requested that golf shirts be ordered rather than t-shirts. The Committee Clerk advised that she would investigate this possibility. Too Good Pond Discussion The Committee discussed the need to educate people not to feed the geese at Too Good Pond, as the uneaten bread sits at the bottom of the pond and grows bacteria and fungus that is harmful to the ducks. The Committee requested that Ms. Andrea Sim email Susan McGrath explaining this matter to her.	Email Susan McGrath regarding people feed the ducks at Too Good Pond – Andrea Sim
10. ADJOURNMENT	The Animal Care Committee adjourned at 6:50 p.m.