Meeting Information

San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare

Meeting Minutes

August 12, 2004

(Please note: The recorder malfunctioned and the majority of the minutes are a reflection of notes taken by the secretary and therefore are lacking in detail.)

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

• The meeting was convened at 5:39 on August 12, 2004, by Chairperson Kennedy who presided during all aspects of the
  meeting.

• Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Kennedy, Vice Chair Franklin, Commissioners Chi, Weiss DMV, Secretary Commissioner Wheeler, Captain Guldbech, and Sergeant Herndon

• Commissioners absent with excuse: Commissioners Eckman and Kipnis

2. Public Comment

3. Approval of Draft Minutes from the July 8, 2004 Meeting

• Minutes approved without changes

4. Chairperson's report and opening remarks

• (Minute records affected by the tape recorder malfunction)

5. Committee Reports/Commissioner's Reports

• None

6. Status and tracking of letters of recommendation approved by the Commission, requesting action by the Board of Supervisors

• Commissioner Franklin reported that the two remaining elephants at the San Francisco Zoo still have not been moved to their new home at the PAWS sanctuary, but that the move should happen soon.

• Commissioners Franklin and Kennedy reported the "Responsible Dog Guardianship" legislation package is still with the City Attorney for review and feedback.

• Public Comment (Minute records affected by the tape recorder malfunction)

• Commissioner Comment (Minute records affected by the tape recorder malfunction)

• No new progress has been made regarding the development of a local ordinance and resolution that would provide critical oversight of UCSF live-animal testing.

• Public Comment (Minute records affected by the tape recorder malfunction)

• Commissioner Comment (Minute records affected by the tape recorder malfunction)

7. Old Business

• Discussion of how the Commission can make its voice heard in condemning the production of foie gras in Sonoma County. Shall the Commission back a ballot initiative that would make it illegal to sell foie gras in San Francisco? Can the Commission contact the SF Restaurant Trade Association and see if they are amenable to ending the sale of foie gras?

• Public Comment: Richard Sharon urged the Commission to find a way to work against the sale of foie gras in San Francisco. He likes the idea of a ballot initiative.

8. New Business

• Commissioner Wheeler presented a proposal to designate Trap-Neuter-Return (T-N-R) as the officially approved means to humanely address homeless/feral cat issues in San Francisco. She identified reasons why T-N-R is the best, most humane, and least expensive method to control the City's homeless cat population. SF/SPCA has been supporting sterilization of feral cats for many years. Makes sense to get the city officially behind it.

• Feral cat colony caretaker and trapper, J.R. Yeager gave presentation and provided commissioners with an information packet. He gave statements supporting that TNR in SF is not always the most humane solution to managing cat populations. He would like to see there be better-defined criteria and guidelines in place with regard to the after-care and re-release of feral cats. Some of the guidelines he supports have been outlined by the AVMA. Criteria suggestions included: safe areas only, permission from landowners, colonies/caretakers register and be monitored, improved protocols and record keeping systems, medical plans, etc.

• Public Comment:
  
  

  ~ Many feral cat colony caretakers and trappers attended the meeting and spoke regarding their opinions and experiences. A common theme during public comment included the need to focus on ensuring feral cats have a good quality of life. Comments included information regarding the steady decline in the population numbers of feral cats within the City as a result of sterilization.

  ~ People who spoke included: J.R. Yeager, Krisrina Blachere, Kelle Kacmarcik, Debra Garcia, W. Ray Smith, Scott Anderson, Steve Kehrli, Nancy Purcell. Alan Hopkins, Arthur Feinstein, Lisa Vittori, Richard Fong, L-Danyielle Yacobucci (Apologies should any speaker names not be included, due to the tape recorder malfunction.)

  ** The tape recorder malfunction was discovered and corrected at this point in the meeting **

• Public Comment Continued:
  
  

  ~ Richard Fong asking if T-N-R made male cats less aggressive and is concerned about stem cell research in rats.

  ~ Lisa Vittori wants to know how she can find out more information about the Commission on Animal Control and Welfare. She also expresses suspicion of the Audubon Society motives for coming out on the feral cat issue.

  ~ L-Danyielle Yacobucci asks if there is any way for the Animal Commission to get a secretary.

  ~ J.R. Yeager asks about the relation of homeless people and their animals.

  ~ Commissioner Captain Guldbech says there is something coming.

  ~ Alan Hopkins of the Audubon society says they have changes their attitudes somewhat toward feral cats and T-N-R. Also talks about coyotes in San Francisco, and how the practice of `live catch' is killing albatross.

• Commissioner Comment:
  
  

  ~ Commissioner Kennedy thanks people and notes the work and commitment of the feral cat group. She requested that comments not include personal condemnations of other speakers. No official word from the SPCA, but they are extremely supportive of T-N-R given their long-term commitment to the sterilization of feral cats.

  ~ Commissioner Guldbech states that Carl Friedman from ACC has been supportive, but wants to make certain the cats continue to be cared for after sterilization.

  ~ Commissioner Wheeler questions some of the negativity of JR Yeager's long presentation and picture packet. Compares feral cats in JR Yeager's presentation to the homeless people living in the same area of the city.

  ~ Commissioner Guldbech received a letter from PETA opposing T-N-R. She continues that as the representative of SF Animal Care and Control, she can state categorically that ACC will never give up the Partnership with the SPCA and there is no way will animals be trapped and killed. Must look carefully at any resolution that allows people to feed more than 3 cats in their backyards. It is a landlord issue and a Health Department issue. ACC is in support of a resolution, but need to be careful. Feral kittens go to foster programs.

  ~ Commissioner Chi answers question of how this T-N-R resolution differs from the resolution she brought to the Commission months earlier. Her resolution would legally reaffirm peoples' right to practice T-N-R. She wants discussions with all groups.

  ~ Commissioner Guldbech again says that under the Partnership with the SPCA, cats may be rounded up, but they will not be killed. Agreed that it is a complicated issue, needs more work.

  ~ Commissioner Franklin concerned about cats' "quality of life".

  ~ Commissioner Kennedy says it sound like we need a stronger T-N-R program as well as the support of city agencies. Dan Mc Kenna from the Recreation and Park Department will be at the Commission next month and should be involved.

  ~ Commissioner Guldbech suggests a number of parties concerned with the T-N-R issue meet.

  ~ Commissioner Weiss says there is a veterinary component in caring for feral cats.

  ~ Commissioner Kennedy restated that the Commission's role is to provide legislative recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and it is out of our jurisdiction to redefine agency programs and protocols. However, given that this is a current and well-attended Commission issue, perhaps suggestions will be useful to those responsible for feral cat program management and expenses. Commissioner Kennedy suggests that T-N-R discussions be put off for a few months, after the September meeting, giving time for agency representatives to meet, as well as the consideration that Commissioner Wheeler will absent for the October Commission meeting.

9. Calendar Items

• Commissioner Guldbech will be inviting Dan McKenna next time who will introduce the Professional Dog Walker License/ Permit for discussion.

• Commissioner Chi is concerned that she was misunderstood when she was talking about the city and trap and kill.

10. Closing Review of Task Allotment and Next Steps

• Commissioner Kipnis and Weiss will be in touch to talk about a ballot measure to ban the serving of foie gras.

• Commissioner Franklin will contact Rosa Sanchez and Supervisor Alioto-Pier about the Responsible Dog Guardian Ordinance.

• Commissioners Wheeler and Guldbech will work together on T-N-R and getting agency representatives to meet on the issue.

11. Adjournment

• Meeting adjourned at 7:50