Animal Services Oversight Team
May 2, 2016
1:30 pm ‐ 3:30 pm
Santa Barbara County - Animal Services
Meeting Summary
Welcome & Introductions
Dr. Relly Nadler welcomed all members of the Animal Services Oversight Team. Animal Services staff Dr.
Ginger White, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Becky Clements, Registered Vet Technician were
introduced by Jan Glick. Dr. White and Ms. Clements shared information regarding their many years of
experience in shelter medicine. The role of the Oversight Team is to advise on the implementation,
including helping to prioritize tasks identified in the American Humane Association (AHA) report.
Oversight Committee members in attendance included:
Jill
Dr. Darcie
Amy
Chris
Jan
Linda
Shirley
Susan
Pete
Dr. Relly
Angela
Phil
Nancy
Dr. Takashi
Janelle
Anderson
Barnes
Black
Erskine
Glick
Greco
Jansen
Klein-Rothschild
Miller
Nadler
Rockwell
Seymour
Vasquez
Wada
Ward
Shadows Fund
Veterinarian - Shelter Medicine
Volunteer at Large
Santa Barbara Dog Volunteer
Animal Services
Animal Care Foundation
DAWG
Public Health
Lompoc Shelter
Facilitator
ASAP
BUNS
Project Manager
Public Health
K-9 PALS
Approval of Summary
Oversight Team Members were asked if the April 8th Meeting Summary accurately captured the details
of that meeting. No changes were requested.
Follow Up Items from April 8th Meeting
o Volunteer Sub-Committee: Jan Glick gave asked for input on the charge of the Volunteer SubCommittee and announced that the team would be forming in June.
o
MOU Process: Jan Glick reported on meetings with ASAP, Animal Care Foundation, BUNS, and
CAPA. All MOU’s with partner agencies are progressing positively and are at various stages of
completion.
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AHA Report – Medical Issues:
Dr. Ginger White, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Becky Clements, Registered Vet Technician were
invited to share the role of the medical team and how medical services are provided for animals at the
shelters. They shared the roles of each medical staff member and the jointly developed mission of the
medical team. Highlights of their presentation included:
o All intakes are examined by a veterinarian and treatment plan developed if needed
o Daily wellness rounds are conducted to identify animals in need of medical care
o A variety of medical services are provided including spay/neuter, pre-op blood work, small mass
removal, amputations, dentistry, and vaccinations, and triage for emergency care until animal
can be transferred to an emergency clinic
o Case examples were shared, including the partnership with specialty care clinics
o Partnerships with CAPA, ASAP, BUNS, and Animal Care Foundation were recognized as being
vital
o There has been a positive impact for animals in foster care who have significant health problems
and receive medical care while in a foster home
o The medical team provides support post-surgery to fostered animals and their owners by
answering questions and providing after hour emergency care
o Euthanasia is done by the medical team and is based upon prognosis (poor or grave) and pain
o Euthanasia decisions are made only after significant review and are done by the veterinarian and
RVT
o Communication with volunteers on euthanasia cases needs improvement, including a process
for input by volunteers
o The medical team will send elderly animals with health problems to a foster or rescue
organization
o Support needed by the medical team includes: financial, increased foster network for animals
with health issues, increased outreach to adoption organizations, increased training for staff
o DAWG invited the medical team to see their facility and develop a partnership building on the
medical resources and facilities at DAWG
o Re-examination of animals transferred from the Santa Maria shelter to the Santa Barbara
shelter is done to familiarize the veterinarian with the animal as well as confirm the current
health status
o Animal Services has met with County General Services regarding the Santa Barbara facility and
improvements needed
o Committed volunteers are welcomed as part of the medical team; job descriptions need to be
developed for this role
o Volunteers want a greater role in working with non-adoptable dogs; tools were discussed that
could reduce safety and liability concerns
Follow Up: Stakeholder Communication
o An ordinance on responsible pet ownership, including mandatory spay/neuter, will be
forthcoming to the Santa Maria City Council. No date has been set.
o A general question was raised about the mechanism to discuss issues or concerns, such as a
euthanasia decision. Members were directed to talk with Jeanne Saadi or Stacy Silva, the two
outreach coordinators for Animal Services.
o Stress amongst staff was discussed and ideas were offered to better support staff
Next Steps:
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The next meetings are:
● June 2nd from 11:00am – 1:00pm at the Santa Barbara Public Health Department, Auditorium
● July date will be determined soon. The agenda will include a discussion on governance.
The meeting concluded at 3:30pm.
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