Meeting Date

Monday, November 6, 2023, 5:00 p.m., CAS Break Room

In Attendance

Mr. Dennis Raso, Committee Member/NAC Commissioner

Ms. Kristi Sheffy, Committee Member/NAC Commissioner

Dr. Lynda VanAntwerp, DVM/Committee Member

Ms. Patty Castleberry, Committee Member

Mr. Cory Heiple, Environmental Services Director

Mr. Travis Caperton, Animal Services Manager

Ms. Christina Elder, Senior Animal Services Officer

Ms. Vanessa Johnson, Senior Animal Care Specialist

Meeting Discussions

1. Greetings

2. Approve meeting notes from July 10, 2023 meeting

3. Information sharing

• Cory – Managed Competition update
• Travis – Recap 2023 Mosquito Season
• Travis – Current staffing challenges

4.Review Asilomar Report

5. Donations / Special Events

• FY2023 ending and current donation balance
• FY2023 ending and current material donation tracking log totals
• Results of Pooch Pool Party Event held on September 9, 2023
• Results of Nature’s Classroom Event held on September 16, 2023
• Results of Yappy Hour off-site adoption event hosted by Shepherd Home Advisors on October 7, 2023
• Results of Ghost Town Event held on October 28, 2023
• Results of Switchyard Festival Event held on November 4, 2023
• Discuss upcoming events and donation drive opportunities

6. New Business

• Schedule next meeting

Discussion Points

• New member, Kristi Sheffy, was introduced and welcomed to the group.
• Meeting notes from July 10, 2023 were approved with no questions.
• Discussion occurred on Managed Competition and current status. Committee members were advised that the review is complete, and staff are awaiting the final report to be presented to city management.
• A brief overview of Carrollton’s mosquito program was provided to the committee. Members were advised that 5 positive results for West Nile Virus were received in various zones around Carrollton during the 2023 mosquito season. There was some discussion on what Dallas County HHS tests for and how staff handle mosquito complaints throughout the year.
• Animal Services is fully staffed for field operations. However, one of the Animal Care Specialist positions was recently vacated and interviews are currently being scheduled.
• Asilomar Reports for FY2023 and current FY2024 to-date were discussed.
• FY2023 monetary donations total was $16,361. FY2023 material donations included:
  • 6,682 lbs. of litter
  • 8,387 lbs. of dry dog food
  • 884 lbs. of dry cat food
  • 3,071 oz. of wet cat food
  • 4,876 oz. of wet dog food
  • Total value of material donations was $23,565.
• Current FY2024 monetary donations balance is $1,752. Current FY2024 material donations include:
  • 316 lbs. of dry dog food
  • 17 lbs. of dry cat food
  • 633 oz. of wet cat food
  • 172 oz. of wet dog food
• Pooch Pool Party Event resulted in 484 dogs in attendance, 98 city pet registrations, 124 rabies vaccinations through TCAP, and $162 in monetary donations to CAS.
• Nature’s Classroom Event was the first annual. Staff provided outreach and educational material to numerous attendees.
• Yappy Hour off-site adoption event was the first annual and resulted in 5 successful adoptions and $70 in monetary donations to CAS.
• Ghost Town Event resulted in 1 successful adoption and staff provided outreach and educational material to a large number of attendees.
• Switchyard Festival Event resulted in $774 in monetary donations to CAS and staff provided outreach and educational material to a large number of attendees.
• Discussion occurred regarding upcoming events, including an off-site adoption event at Sam Pack Chevrolet, a potential low-cost vaccination event with Operation Kindness and the low-cost vaccination event with TCAP in March. Staff also advised the committee of various donation drives that are being planned.
• Discussion occurred regarding the recent events at 1511 Estates Way. Staff provided details at-length of the actions taken by CAS with both the animal owner and property owner. Committee members were advised that CAS addressed the issues to the fullest extent state law allows, which included issuing a multitude of court citations, compelling the animal owner to surrender numerous animals, seizing the remaining animals due to evidence of cruelty, partnering with Carrollton PD to criminally charge the animal owner with animal cruelty, and pursuing a conviction that will prohibit the animal owner from owning or controlling any animals for a period of 5 years. Staff also advised the committee that the animal owner no longer lives in Carrollton and the animal control agency in the new city of residence was advised of the owner’s history.

Next Meeting / Scheduled Topic(s)

• Next meeting was scheduled for April 15, 2024

Meeting Conclusion

• Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.