Date: July 17, 2007
To: Lloyd Gerhardt, Animal Control Director
From: Becki Williams, FGCAS
Re: Volunteer decisions
Dear Lloyd,
FGCAS would like to schedule a meeting with you as soon as possible after my return from FL, for the purpose of discussing the outcome of your meeting(s) with the Board of Commissioners regarding the Volunteer’s requests. Also at this meeting, there are some questions we’d like to have answered or policies we’d like to have clarified. I will be leaving this Thursday A.M. and returning July 24th, late in the evening. Because of this, the best dates and times for us would be either the 26th, 27th, 30th of July, in the afternoon.
Although I will be out of town, you can reach me either by cell phone xxxxx or by email at If you’d prefer, you can reach xxxx at or by xxxx at xxxx Please let either of us know by Monday, July 23rd, what day would work best for you.
We’re anxious to learn of the decisions made about our “list” of things we’d like to do for the Shelter. Below are the things we’d like to know about, as well as the questions and policies we’d like clarified. Many of these things go hand in hand with our desire to help the Shelter reduce the animal euthanasia rate and will help us gear our plan toward that end goal.
What has been decided about:
1. The flyers for the public that were discussed, showing the proper steps for adoption. FGCA has a great flyer plan just waiting for approval to be printed. We would also need a brochure “holder” to be placed by the adoption entry door.
2. Cage Cards or Volunteer Information Sheets. We have found that most (if not all) animal control agencies use inexpensive plastic “sleeves” to protect against the possibility of water damage to the card. The use of these sheets by volunteers would require automatic updates about the animals in the adoption rooms be given to FGCAS so we could maintain them. Having even general information about the animal on these cards would save the staff from being asked a great deal of questions from possible adopters who want to know breed, sex, age, spay/neuter of the animal.
If the staff were to maintain cage cards with the same basic information, it would seem to require a bit more time on their part at the beginning of the animal’s stay, but would greatly cut down on the amount of interruptions and questions of the staff as previously mentioned.
3. Genesee County’s Petfinder site. FGCAS would like again to offer assistance in the management of this amazing adoption asset. While we understand the need to keep the Genesee County government website private, most Animal Shelters and Animal Control listings on Petfinder are managed by their Volunteers. Examples of this can be provided easily and will be, if needed, at our meeting. We believe it’s a job that’s too much for one person to do and would be willing to assist in any way, even if it’s just taking the pictures and writing the descriptions then turning them over to a designated staff member for uploading. All adoptable animals need to be online, showing cages numbers and date they became adoptable.
4. Signs identifying the Quiet Room. A better sign showing the way to the Stray “Day of the Week” rooms. Posters or signs in the Adoptable cat and dog rooms better explaining procedures and policies regarding taking animals out of their cages.
5. What was found about who initially required rabies shots for cats and what’s the current decision for giving them?
6. What was decided about FGCAS being able to groom all cats/dogs/kittens/pups as needed when they’re placed up for adoption. This would include bathing, if necessary. Some of the animals, dogs and pups especially, are in need of a bath to rid them of fleas, loose hair, odors, feces and urine stains. There is a lovely grooming room with tub at the Shelter that would be used, FGCAS would provide the supplies.
7. What steps have been taken to prevent the loss or misplacement of the 3 by 5 cards that hold all the information on each animal at the shelter? What system is being put in place to prevent animals from being “lost” in the record keeping if their card is missing?
8. Has any more thought been given to the temporary collars for adopted animals who have to stay behind and wait for the vet to give them shots? These would eliminate all possibility of an accidental sale or euthanasia of an animal by labeling the animal itself, not the cage.
Lastly, in this long list of things previously discussed, FGCAS would like to know what prompted Sgt. Carol Gillespie’s letter to the Flint Journal on July 3rd, in which she saw fit to slam our volunteer group? Whatever problem or emotion led to that letter needs to be addressed and resolved if we’re going to accomplish positive change. Carol was present during our first meeting during which FGCAS member Howard Farley specifically stated if we had a problem with Animal Control we would come directly to you rather than taking it public to the Journal, yet she chose to do exactly that. We’d like to know if Carol sent the letter as an individual or with the knowledge of the Shelter, and, as mentioned in our previous letter, we feel we deserve an explanation.
Below are a few things that we’ve not asked before but would like to ask ahead of time now and receive answers at the meeting.
1. What is the procedure for admitting a stray cat? Where are the strays held until they’re placed up for adoption? What about feral cats and owner surrenders? Could you walk us through the admission of each type of these cats?
2. Are there “steps” for evaluating which animals are placed up for adoption and which are euthanized? A set policy, including something like temperament testing, that makes it more clear which animals are suited for adoption and takes the pressure off the individual who has to make that decision?
3. Are there set Euthanasia days? We would like to know this so we can coordinate our lists around them.
4. We’d like to find another place to hold the cat carriers and turn the area where they’re now stacked into a “Quiet Room” for the cats. As more people are coming in to look and adopt, having 2 rooms would be a great asset. Is this a possibility?
5. We are promoting the Shelter at Pet Fest in mid August and would like to have a supply of Shelter flyers as well as Shelter coloring books for our booth.
6. What should we do if we see something happen at the Shelter that we are uncomfortable with? We are not there to spy, but if we witness an action we feel is wrong, how should we handle or report it?
And, again, lastly, the people who work behind the desk, in the animal rooms and drive the trucks understand the system that’s in place now. They know it’s faults and good points better than anyone and would be a goldmine of suggestion for improvement. Because of this, we’d like to ask that a staff member be included in the formation of the “committee”. We also would like a list be provided for them of what we, as volunteers, are able to do and hope to do.
For the last few weeks, all of us in FGCAS have felt as though our hands have been tied. We want to work to make a difference and help to improve your shelter but are held up waiting for approval. Thank you, Chief, I look forward to becoming more informed at our next meeting.
Sincerely,
Becki Williams
cc: Archie Bailey