SpecialReport

Special Report: DCAP's background and recomendations...

This is a collection of a few pertinent available on-line documents relating to the City of Dallas-appointed No-Kill Task Force. 
They are strictly for background information regarding the city's efforts to reduce the number of animals killed annually at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center.
 

THE FIRST PUBLIC RELATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT (Oct. 25, 2011)

Dallas Appoints No-Kill Task Force to Develop Plan
For Ending Euthanasia of Homeless Animals

Dallas has officially joined the ranks of cities and towns across the country that have taken on the challenge of ultimately becoming “no kill,” with the goal of ending the killing of homeless dogs and cats.
Following the lead of cities like San Francisco, Austin, New York and Richmond, the City of Dallas has created an official task force, the Dallas Companion Animal Project (Dallas CAP), charged with developing a blueprint for ending the killing of adoptable animals.
“Our goal is to guide the community in identifying and increasing easily accessible programs that will allow us to stop the killing of healthy, treatable companion animals,” said Rebecca Poling, chair of the task force and a member of the Animal Shelter Commission. 
To do that, Dallas CAP will focus on getting the community more involved on all levels:  reducing the number of animals given up and abandoned by their owners; making it easier and more affordable for owners to spay and neuter their pets; increasing the number of stray and loose animals returned to their owners; offering options to people considering giving up their pets; and increasing the number of animals adopted and those transferred to other shelters and humane organizations.  
This past year, 20,684 dogs and cats—or 75 percent of the 28,392 companion animals that ended up in the City’s shelter—were put to death simply because there weren’t enough homes for them.  
“Ending the killing of adoptable animals is not about any one shelter becoming no kill,” said Poling.  “It’s about the entire community coming together and embracing all the components of a successful plan:  spay/neuter, education, adoption and rescue, owner retention, behavior hotlines, responsible pet ownership.   
“No single agency or organization can possibly be responsible for all the components necessary to make Dallas no kill.  We’re looking for individuals, businesses, corporations, associations, nonprofits, advocacy groups and animal-welfare organizations willing to be a part of this effort by lending their names and encouraging others to do the same.”
The City of Dallas is ready to make the move towards no kill said Joey Zapata, Interim Assistant City Manager.  “We have a new Mayor who firmly believes that Dallas should have the goal of becoming no kill; a City Council committed to supporting the task force; and a new shelter manager, Jody Jones, who played a leading role in making Richmond, VA, a no-kill community.”
Jones knows from her experience in Richmond that in addition to saving lives, reducing euthanasia rates community-wide would have other benefits as well.
“Working together to develop a successful no-kill plan will engage the community in the welfare of our animals and make Dallas a more pet-friendly place to live,” said Jones.  “It will save taxpayer dollars and result in a more educated and informed public.  It also will encourage private/public partnerships, and, most important, it will improve the quality of life for companion animals and people in the City of Dallas.” 
For more information about the Dallas Companion Animal Project or to get involved, email [email protected] or visit www.DallasCompanionAnimalProject.org.  Find Dallas Companion Animal Project on Facebook or follow on Twitter @DallasAnimals.   

The link to the press release from Oct. 25, 2010, is this:

http://www.dallascityhall.com/pdf/pio/No-kill_task-force.pdf

THE BACKGROUND
(This background document can be found at the Dallas Animal Services website at this address:
http://www.dallasanimalservices.org/pdf/dallascap_prospectus.pdf

Dallas Companion Animal Project Background

The City of Dallas has officially joined the ranks of cities and towns across the country that have taken on the challenge of ultimately becoming “no kill,” with the goal of ending the killing of homeless dogs and cats. The Dallas Companion Animal Project (Dallas CAP) task force, was appointed in July 2011 by the City of Dallas to develop the blueprint that will guide the community in identifying, and ultimately implementing, programs and initiatives that reduce the number of animals given up and abandoned by their owners; make it easier and more affordable for owners to spay and neuter their pets; increase the number of stray and loose animals returned to their owners; offer alternatives to people considering giving up their pets; and increase the number of animals adopted and those transferred to other shelters and humane organizations.
For years, the City of Dallas has tried to increase the number of animals adopted and send more to rescue groups and private shelters, but the numbers are staggering. This past year, 20,684 dogs and cats—or 75 percent of the 28,392 companion animals that ended up in the City’s shelter—were put to death simply because there weren’t enough homes for them. With a finite number of homes available, and a limited number of space in shelters and rescue groups, the task force plans to focus heavily on decreasing the number of animals entering the shelter to begin with. They will be leading a cooperative effort – a “new breed” of no-kill – that partners individuals, businesses, corporations, associations, nonprofits, advocacy groups and animal-welfare organizations with City of Dallas, Dallas Animal Services, the Mayor and City Council in a cooperative effort to engage and energize the community, and to embrace all the components of a successful plan: spay/neuter, education, adoption and rescue, owner retention, behavior hotlines, responsible pet ownership.
Dallas Animal Services new manager Jody Jones, who played a leading role in making Richmond, VA, a no-kill community, knows from experience that in addition to saving lives, reducing euthanasia rates community-wide would have other benefits as well.“Working together to develop a successful no-kill plan will engage the community in the welfare of our animals and make Dallas a more pet-friendly place to live,” said Jones. “It will save taxpayer dollars and result in a more educated and informed public. It also will encourage private/public partnerships, and, most important, it will improve the quality of life for companion animals and people in the City of Dallas.”
Would you like to be a part of this historic effort and help stop the killing of adoptable pets? Here’s how you can help:
Partner with us. Go to our website www.dallascompanionanimalproject.org and provide us your contact information so we can add you to our mailing list and keep you up to date as we move forward. 
Like us on Facebook 
Follow us on Twitter @DallasAnimals 
Share our website with friends, family, co-workers, and others who want to be part of this historic and life-saving project. 
As we launch this new exciting venture, we will continue to identify opportunities to engage everyone interested. We look forward to having you join the cause!

THE REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

Titled  “DALLAS COMPANION ANIMAL PROJECT: A Strategy for Transforming Dallas into a ‘No-Kill Community’. Plan Recommendation January 12, 2012”

You can read the report at this address HERE.
(This is the long version -- I couldn't get it to click to it, so I rigged a link. 

http://dallascompanionanimalproject.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/dallas-cap-plan-recommendation-finala.pdf

 

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A SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION RETREAT

[Note: We have collected three key pieces from the February retreat attended by members of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, the voluntary and council-appointed panel whose reponsibility is to monitor activities within the city's animal services department, including the shelter and animal-related politicies.  On Friday, Feb. 8, the commission held a retreat at the Farmer's Market in downtown Dallas. First you'll see the text of Commission Chair Mary Spener's greetings to the retreat, then a commission shelter assessment, a vision for the future, then a recap of the meeting. Readlarrypowell.com appreciates the help.]

THE WELCOME BY CHAIR SPENCER:

Welcome!
I say that with genuine enthusiasm – along with a huge Thank You for giving up a day – either from work or your own time - to devote to furthering our efforts as a commission for the animals at the Dallas shelter.   I feel comfortable in saying that we are all here because we love animals and we want to make the world a better place for them.
One of my favorite quotes is “In a perfect world, every dog and cat would have a home and every home a dog and cat.”    That to me IS a perfect world.  No more homeless pets, no more suffering -  and as a result  – homes and families would be happier and healthier.
We are also here to  CELEBRATE  because we finally won our lengthy battle.  I say battle because for so many years, it seemed to be one round after another.   Them against us.  Now, we need to step back and give ourselves a big round of applause because We – as a Commission WON!
FINALLY, we are all on the same team working for the same purpose!
For years, way before I became a Commission Member, the Commission fought to try to end the killing of so many adoptable animals at the shelter and all over Dallas.  Even with a brand new facility, the number of animals who left the shelter alive was less than 20%.  These were percentages that the Commission knew was bad and wrong – but it seemed impossible to get City Hall to listen and understand.   It seems that the City just accepted the fact that Dallas’ EU numbers – one of the highest cities in the US – was the norm.  Meeting after meeting we left frustrated and defeated.
It finally took a cat to die in a wall for the City leaders to hear us.  And they did.  They finally allowed a national search firm to find qualified management and they even allowed us to voice our opinion.   They listened to us and brought to Dallas one of the most qualified and experienced managers in the entire United States.   A woman (with more energy and tenacity than anyone I’ve ever met)  who was not discouraged by the stories she had heard – or the obstacles she faced upon her arrival.   Rolling up her sleeves, Jody Jones plowed on day after day – embracing the Commission and the City – as well as the animals in need at DAS.  She taught compassion to the staff and gave them purpose – showing them that every little bit of kindness helps a lot. 

 THE WELCOME TO THE COMMISSION

"Today is your day.   We have worked hard to put together several presentations that hopefully will be the beginning of innovative ideas for a new type of Commission.  A Commission who can feel comfortable that we don’t HAVE to spend our time trying to fix things that don’t get handled properly within the shelter.  We now have that component of the shelter taken care of.   Through Jody and her expertise and her qualified staff.  
"In fact, we now have employees who are going that extra mile to save an animal’s life, or to find it the perfect home, and to make its stay at DAS more comfortable while there.   We even have an operational manager who sits INSIDE the dog’s cage when he was too scared and un-socialized to even eat.
"Together with Jody and her staff, several Commission Members, and outside professional guidance,  we strived to put together a day filled with information and ideas to get your brain working and helping you figure out what makes your tail wag.   At the beginning of our planning, we met several times with Darla Beam, a professional development coach and huge animal advocate, to help with the agenda and give us some tips for making this day and your time more productive. We spent time with Yolanda Eisenstein, an animal law attorney and President of THLN, who has watched the Commission over the years and was so excited when Jody and I shared all the positive changes at DAS. Yolanda offered additional insight into how to make the day the best ever!    We were thrilled when she accepted to be our facilitator.
So, each one of you here today deserves a HUGE Thank You along with this little momento to remind you every day why we do what we do – and why those sloppy wet kisses and purrs are the best thanks ever!
Thank you!"

 
Vision for the Future
Dallas Animal Shelter Commission

Several Commission Members have stated that DAS has really changed over the last year and a half.  DAS is definitely not the same animal it was when I joined the Commission back in 2006 and like most successful companies and organizations, it’s changing on a daily basis.
Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics often said  “If an organization is not moving forward, but standing still, it is actually going backwards.”   Forward change is not only smart, but critical for any organization to reach its goals and achieve solid sustainability and keep the best people interested and involved.  
We all know that change can be difficult.   It’s definitely easier to rest on our laurels and continue doing the same thing over and over – wondering why the results never change.   Back in 2017, when I joined the Commission, DAS was at the lowest point of its history.  Many of us here remember those days.   Days when the commission felt like it was up to us to micro-manage and continue to ask the same questions again and again at each meeting – only to leave with no answers and more frustrated than ever.
DAS is no longer that organization.   And many of you all have made that exact statement.   A most refreshing statement – and one we have all envisioned and hoped for.  The folks at DAS, both the management team and the employees, are making these changes that we have begged for -  for so long.   It is finally happening – and for that we should be most happy – and proud.
The Vision for the Animal Shelter Commission must include steps to take us to the next level.  We need each one of you to step up and help continue this growth and development of the division and the community.  We must all strive to get to know our Councilpersons on a closer basis and show them that by DAS becoming a world-class division, it will make Dallas a much stronger, safer and vibrant city.
Everyone in this room has something unique to contribute to this positive growth.   Your mission, as a Commission Member,  is to give some serious thought to what you feel is the best avenue for you – through the Commission, DCAP or both.    Through the materials you will be taking home with you today, decide where your expertise and interests fit the best. Write down what you feel you can do and set a deadline for these goals.  Meet with any of us here today or even amongst yourselves to get more involved.
Today is the day for each of you to step back and view DAS from its new perspective and to determine where your passion and talents lead you.  

RECAP (As provided by the commission):

"RECAP of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Retreat
February 8, 2013
This segment included, according to documents sent by Chairman Spencer, "a more refined and definition of the Animal Shelter Commission was presented  - based upon the evolving needs of the shelter today.   Because the Commission is merely an Advisory Board, we discussed raising the bar for the Commission and asking each member to become more involved with City issues and get to know their Councilperson better.  Because of no continued need to “micro-manage” the shelter anymore, hopefully, the Commission realizes the value of stepping up to the next level and becoming more of an educational voice for City Council and the Community.
"Each Commission member was presented a framed Thank You certificate for their service.   When Joey Zapata and Mary Suhm stopped by, they were also presented a certificate for their decision to listen to the Commission and to hire Jody Jones and her Team and allow them to make a difference.
Yolanda Eisenstein, (attorney and President of THLN) was the official Retreat facilitator and kept everyone on track, “parking” any issues which were not relevant to the day or the overall goals.
The day was filled with informative speakers and presentations so that each Commission member could choose where their individual talents and interests could make the best difference.    Because of the number of new Commission members and having had no formal orientation for these members, (along with questions posed from former members as well), the City Attorney presented the Roles and Responsibilities of the Commission.   Q & A were addressed from topics ranging from proper email and meeting etiquette to other issues pertaining to ethics.  
Chris Watts, (Commission Member and DCAP Chair) presented the value of “Engaging with Your Councilmember.”    Copies of the book, ”The One-Hour Activist” was given to each member.
Skip Trimble presented Legislation Update – explaining ways that each Commission member can become involved at a State level regarding upcoming animal laws and the effect on all.
Caroline Griffin, attorney and Chair of the Mayor’s Anti-Cruelty Commission in Baltimore, presented a campaign to alleviate animal abuse and cruelty.   We saw this as a way that members could choose to involve themselves through DCAP with a similar program.  Because of Mayor Rawling’s Domestic Violence Campaign, we felt this was a direct coorelation.
"Andi Comini presented a program 'Neighborhood Pet Alert' and the positive effects it has had in several East Dallas neighborhoods.   Since reclaiming lost pets to their owners is a major component to DCAP in order to keeping them out of the shelter, we felt this was another program that each Commission could present to their own neighborhood association, if they choose.
"Mary Spencer presented a Vision for 2013 (attachment enclosed) to point out the differences between the animal shelter 'today' from 'yesterday.'  She asked each Commission member to step up and move forward with a new Commission and a new mission of saving animals.
"Chris Watts and Maeleska Fletes, (Chair and Co-Chair of DCAP) presented the current state of DCAP and accomplishments in each area and component.   They also showed ways that each Commission member could help.
"The overall feeling of the Retreat was extremely positive from the Commission members and it appeared that everyone is on track to move forward and set new goals and priorities for the Commission.  This refreshing attitude appears to be what will take the Commission to the next level and help save more animals than ever before – by allowing the shelter staff to do their jobs in a productive atmosphere and manner. 
"A few suggestions included to have shorter Commission meetings (which further reinforced the idea that the Commission no longer feels the need to micro-manage the shelter). "
[Larry aside: So, from the vantage point of the Animal Shelter Commission, there you have it. Please feel free to comment by clicking below. Trust me. People will read your comments.]
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