Lewis and
Minutes of Board Meeting
March 19, 2002
Call to Order: President Denise Tarr called the board
meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society to order at 6:36 pm at Perkins
(due to a parvo outbreak, we were not able to meet at the shelter as
usual). Present were Executive Board
Members Tia Nelson, Jane Benson, Denise Tarr, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Terey
Artz, Gerry Daumiller, Jennifer Green, and Shelter Executive Director Gina
Wiest. Auxiliary Board Members present
at the meeting included Angie McDunn and Sara
Stanton. Absent was Jean Ketchel, Gary
Spaeth (Executive Board) and Lynda Benson, Vicki Thacker, Tiffany David, Renee
Kowalski, and Bev Rankin (Auxiliary Board).
Also present were Leslie Bracken, and Board Emeritus Members Linda Owen
and Sandy Newton.
Sandy
Newton spoke to the board about what she called “her mission.” Which is to encourage pet stores to quit
selling pets and encourage people to adopt through the humane society. She would like the LCHS to start a dialogue
with local stores regarding the adoption of spayed/neutered shelter pets
through the pet stores. (A similar
program in Spokane has been very successful). She pointed out that pet stores
say they don’t make any money from selling pets anyway; instead it comes from
the sale of toys, collars, etc. And pet
stores selling pets contributes to such problems as parvo outbreaks. Leslie Bracken also pointed out the need to
educate pet stores regarding proper behavior of dog breeders. “Breeders should be responsible for their
puppies. They shouldn’t end up at a pet
store or shelter,” she said.
Gina
reported that there are no regulations on pet stores (with the exception of
those selling exotic animals). Past
attempts to regulate pet stores and breeders through the legislature have not
been very successful. But we will keep trying.
All
agreed that educating the public regarding pet store practices and proper
behavior of responsible breeders is key.
Accordingly, a decision was made to revitalize the LSCH Education
Committee and members will work on encouraging pet stores to take humane
society animals only. Members of the
education committee include Leslie, Linda, Sandy, Angie, Jennifer, and Shauna.
Secretary’s Report: It was moved by Sara, seconded by Terey,
to approve the February 19, 2002 board meeting minutes. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: No report this time. Will plan on having a preliminary budget for
the next board meeting; the shelter committee will meet to discuss the budget
on April 2. The budget needs to go to
the city and county the first week of May.
Shelter Executive Director’s
Report: The Parvo Situation: Gina reported that the shelter has lost 7
dogs so far in the recent parvo outbreak and 5 are still sick. The shelter continues to be closed to the
public. Shelter staff is going through
the shelter room by room and totally disinfecting everything. Gina thought this thorough cleaning was an
excellent idea and suggested that the shelter close for two days twice a year
to conduct this type of cleaning.
Future precautions against another parvo outbreak may include
distribution of plastic “booties” for all who walk amongst the animals at the
shelter, or placing a rug with bleach on the floor that people have to walk
over.
Gina
reported that she has a meeting with an Independent Record reporter on Tuesday,
March 26. A series of education articles
are planned (health tips for animals, what makes a good breeder, etc.).
The
Spay-Ghetti Fundraiser, organized and executed by shelter staff, was a rousing
success, resulting in over $3,500. This
will become an annual event. A pizza
party was provided to the staff. In
other good news, Gina reported the new building is going “great guns” and we
need to have a party to celebrate!
Gina
also reported that she has been approached by the Federal Reserve Bank who
would like to use the crematorium to burn old and soiled money. DEQ has altered the permit to allow this.
(The police also use the crematorium to burn things).
President’s Report:
Denise reported that there will be a legislative meeting on March 21 at
noon at the chamber of commerce; any board member can go as we are members of
the chamber. A committee sign-up sheet
was sent around for Strutt Your Mutt which will be June 15. Colors will be navy blue and white.
Old Business: Gina
has prepared a sheet regarding a comparison of local vet spay/neuter costs (see
February Board Meeting Minutes) and will send the sheet, along with a cover
letter, to all area vet clinics for review.
Robyn has been attending daytime Montana Shares activities.
New Business:
Jane expressed an interest in exploring available grant opportunities
for the humane society/shelter. Lisa and
Sara agreed to work on this also. A
motion was made by Sara, seconded by Jane, to hold only one garage sale
fundraiser a year, one day (a Saturday) in July. Motion passed.
Standing
Committee Reports:
The
Nominating Committee has met with Shauna Stallings and recommended that she be
accepted as a LSCHS Auxiliary Board Member.
Gerry made the motion, Tia seconded it.
Motion approved. Welcome, Shauna.
Sara
stated that the shelter should have written service agreement contracts with
everyone it does business with (all cities and counties). The Bylaws Committee has looked at the
shelter’s old services contract and it needs some work. Sara will send a copy of the revised contract
to the budget committee who will review it when they meet April 2.
Miscellaneous: Gina stated that she
has had two or three phone calls from the ad in the IR calling for new board
members. The Nominating Committee will
meet with these people. It was agreed to run the ad one more time ($40). We will be discussing raising society/board
membership dues at the next meeting.
Adjournment:
The board meeting adjourned at approximately 8:20 pm. The next regular LCHS Board meeting will be
Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 at the shelter.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Mecklenberg Jackson