Before the meeting was called to order, Kevin
Usilton remarked on the 30 parrots that they received and adopted out. He noted that although they heard about the
owner through a cruelty investigation, the parrots were relinquished
voluntarily. He said that the “farmer’s
wife had left him, with the 30 parrots, horses and Chesapeake Bay
retrievers.” The horses are in quarantine
for strangles. Mr. Usilton reported that
the owner gave them everything, including cages. He called Brandywine and Salisbury Zoos. He said that Dr. Tammi checked out the
birds. By Friday (4/5) they had adopted
out 21 of the 30 birds. He said that a
few of the birds went to a rescue group.
He also said he talked to “a crazy lady from Tri-State (Bird Rescue) who told me I didn’t know anything (about the birds) and I should give her the birds. I told her I wasn’t calling for assistance.”
There had been conflicting reports that this was a hoarding
situation. When Mr. Usilton said that
they learned of this owner through a cruelty complaint, we all wondered if this
was a case of the KCSPCA makng a deal with the owner- surrender the animals or
be cited/arrested. First, we know they did
this in the case of a dog in New Castle County (details on request); second,
Mr. Usilton has repeatedly complained that the AG’s office does not prosecute
many of their complaints and that when they do, the KCSPCA must hold the
animals as evidence, which costs them money.
No mention was made of the many comments made on FaceBook –
WBOC, KCSPCA, or in the News Journal – by members of the exotic avian community. They were all upset over how the parrots were
handled. Legitimate rescue workers even
lined up an accredited avian veterinarian to examine and test the birds –
because there are zoonotic diseases that can be passed to humans, and
contagious diseases that can decimate an aviary. However, Mr. Usilton refused their help when
they mentioned he could pass the birds on to avian sanctuaries, saying that he
had to get his money back on these birds.
Individuals have questioned how much the KCSPCA could have spent in just
one week, since the birds did not receive an veterinary care or tests. Comments on the KCSPCA FB page questioning or criticizing them were deleted.
One of the board members asked about the pig
that had been found. Mr. Usilton said
that the pig did not belong to the University of Delaware, so after some
testing it will go to a sanctuary in Tennessee.
He said that the only people here (in DE) that were interested in the
pig would eat it. The pig is a 500 lb.
sow.
The meeting was called to order and the
minutes and agenda were adopted.
Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Newton reported that the KCSPCA is half way (50%) through the
year. The income is at 53.3%, the
expenses at 49.78%. He said that the budget
is tracking well.
There were questions about the equipment
upgrade (mentioned in the written report that
is not given to the public). This
item had to do with the sewer pump and hot water heater replacements.
The Treasurer’s Report was adopted.
Fundraising committee – The committee asked that board members turn in their sponsors names and the amount donated, and the name wanted on the t-shirts (for the Scamper race event).
At this time, a woman who was not with us, nor the board, approached Mr. Usilton. He told her that she could not interrupt the meeting and that if she didn’t leave he would call the police. We thought at the time this was extreme – what about just asking her to sit down? We later found out that Barbei Williams, whose property abuts the shelter, had been trying to talk to Mr. Usilton for months regarding waste material being dumped on her property, and KCSPCA staff accusing her 8-year old daughter of trespassing when she was on her mother’s property.
The board continued to discuss the race,
saying that they did not know why Barclay Farms (a 55+ community in Camden)
refused to let them route the race through the community. Water, food and t-shirts would be available
during the race. It was stated that they
were “starting from zero” and it was hard and frustrating. The route would be determined after a meeting
with the police and DelDOT, but would start and end at the shelter.
Barclay Farms is a senior community. One member actually wrote a letter to the DSN recently stating why he liked living there – reasons that included the quiet and the lack of children running around – so that may have something to do with the fact that they refused to be part of the route.
It was noted that the “Furry Tails” event
would be moved, because it was too close to the race.
There was further discussion on the race, the fact that some races needed a hard surfaces (which is why it was moved from KP – to qualify for inclusion in a particular racing event). It was noted that organizing this was difficult, and they may go back to Killens Pond.
A new date would be set for Furry Tails, which would be at Dover Downs and the Sheraton.
The committee would meet again tonight after
the board meeting.
Community Press/Public Relations committee – Asked if they could meet after the board meeting on May 13th.
Newsletter committee – has not met. Asked if they could meet before the next meeting. It was stated that the chair of the committee would let them know.
Executive Committee – Alex Moore (board president) said that they would let Steve
(Schwarz, attorney and board member) set that up as usual.
Executive Committee meetings are subject to FOIA – which include
public notice at a meeting prior to the EC meeting.
Executive Director’s Report – Mr. Usilton reported on March 2013 statistics, comparing them to
2012:
2013 2012
Adopted 123 249
Euthanized 42 97Transfer/Rescue 33 116
To owner 65 137
Animal complaints 2013: 699 – including 114 bites of humans, which is
an increase. Mr. Usilton said that these
complaints have been investigated with volunteer hours amounting to $61,000.
The KCSPCA has a contract with the Division of Health to investigate possible rabies situations (animal to human bites). Mr. Usilton has complained in the past that it is not enough money to investigate all the complaints. If the hours can be honestly and clearly documented, Division of Health should step up and increase the contract.
125 pounds of food were distributed through
the Pet Pantry. Visits were done to
Heritage Dover and South Dover Elementary School. The spring Camp took place (Easter break). The shelter would be participating in
Milford’s Bug and Bud and PetSmarts Cinco De Mayo (adoptions for $5.55). There will be a vaccination clinic at the
Camden WalMart. He also said that dog
obedience classes would resume, they have a new trainer. $65 for 6 weeks, with a discount if you adopt
from the shelter. A board member asked
who the new trainer was; Mr. Usilton
said it was the assistant from last year, but he couldn’t remember his name.
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
provided dog fighting education at the Middletown substation. The animal control officers liked it a lot.
Mr. Usilton said he was talking to the Mayor
of Wyoming, who is interested in contracting with the KCSPCA for animal control
services.
After the meeting, one of our group contacted a Wyoming council
member. Mr. Usilton was contacted
regarding police calls about the parking at the shelter during the
clinics. There was no mention of a
contract of services. The KCSPCA was
recently on the Camden Town Council agenda for the same reason, police calls
regarding parking and traffice problems in connection with the clinics.
Board members asked about the horses, how many
(4, 3 that are ridable) and if there was enough feed for them (yes, Tractor
Supply).
He also reported that HSUS evaluated 23 dogs
impounded from a dog fighting case, only 2 passed the evaluation as
adoptable. A board member asked who the
dogs belonged to; Mr. Usilton said they were “ours.”
Does this mean they were relinquished? Is there a case? Will there be charges against the “owners” or the participants? While we understand this case may be ongoing, if the dogs aren’t being kept in evidence, what does that mean in regard to prosecution? And since when is HSUS evaluating the KCSPCA animals? Is this in response to the complaints of the KCSPCA temperament tests or because dogs abused in this way are special cases? What evaluation criteria does the HSUS use? And, other than the HSUS State Director, Hetti Brown, what staff does HSUS have in Delaware?
Mr. Moore asked the board members to consider
changing the monthly meetings to quarterly.
He said it would be up for discussion at the next (May) meeting. There were questions about what the bylaws call
for, but no one could say for sure.
The board members then went around the table
updating their e-mail addresses.
Mr. Moore reported that Linda Jackson has
resigned from the board. She will still
volunteer, and is working on the “doggie banks” (contribution banks at various
businesses).
The membership/nominating committee nominated
Chris Rausch, who works for the Cape Gazette (advertising), as a member of the
board. They discussed his background,
and noted that he is married to an anchor at WBOC. The board approved his nomination
unanimously. It was noted that Mr. Rausch would not be
participating just yet, he and his wife are expecting a baby, due April 24th.
Legislative committee – They discussed the Animal Welfare Task Force recommendations; Mr.
Usiltonr reported that they ahd been delayed by 30 days. Mr. Schwartz said he would have to make
contact with the legislators about the recommendations, but it was premature at
this time.
One of the board members – Carol Kizner - then brought up the issue of turn-in fees for
Kent County residents (she had previously
brought this up at the March board meeting). Mr. Moore asked what the fees were: Mr. Usilton said that for Kent County the
fees are $40 per animal or $50 per litter.
For Sussex and New Castle, the fees are $20 and $50 per litter. There was a motion and a second to reduce the
fees in line with the NC and Sussex fees.
There was then discussion. Mr. Usilton maintained that when they lost the Kent County Dog Control contract they had to “break the relationship because with no dog control contract we (the KCSPCA) was not being compensated (for animal welfare). He went on to say that the KCSPCA is not supported by Kent County, but is supported by NCC and Sussex. He also said that “people are driving here from all over.”
A board member asked, they why have the numbers dropped? According to Mr. Usilton, “we’ve spay/neutered all the cats through Project Purr, and people think we’re closed.”
Is he seriously saying that KCSPCA has single-handedly solved the cat
population issues in KC? That’s not what
he – or his employees and supporters – say on the KCSPCA and other FB
pages. And people think they are
closed? Since when? They just hit all the news media with the
parrot story and adopted out over 20 birds in less than 24 hours. They also have sponsored ads every week in
the DSN, and several radio stations have “pet of the week” broadcasts.
There was discussion concerning the cost of vaccines ($15 per animal according to Mr. Usilton) vs. euthanasia. Mr. Usilton said (cost of the drugs) for euthanasia were different depending on the size of the animal – he said it was another $30. The intake fees cover the vaccinations and spay/neutering. The real cost is staff to care for the animals – they are staying at the shelter longer.
Ms.
Kizner said that the fee was too high, 300 fewer are being taken into the
shelter from KC that last year. She said
if they had more animals, they could adopt more out.
Mr.
Usilton said that if they submit a bid for KC dog control, they may lower the
fees.
He is assuming they get the contract if they
bid – a big jump.
Ms.
Cooper said that maybe they could lower the fee to $30.
Mr. Usilton said it was hard to raise money when being blasted by social media and political stuff, rather than fund raising. He also said they were “not getting income, trying to get a balance.” Mr. Moore said they are restructuring their fundraising efforts.
Mr. Usilton said it was hard to raise money when being blasted by social media and political stuff, rather than fund raising. He also said they were “not getting income, trying to get a balance.” Mr. Moore said they are restructuring their fundraising efforts.
A board member asked what the adoption fee is,
and does it pay for the aniaml; Mr. Usilton said the fee covers spay/neuter,
and they lose money on adult dogs because they cost more (to spay). He said there is no profit on the adoption
side. Mr. Newton said they were not in a
position to “cut our rates.”
Another motion was made, to cut the fees to
$30 for Kent County. One board member
said he thought there was a profit on the adoption side. Another asked if they could raise adoption
fees.
Mr. Usilton then commented that their 100%
open door policy has been affected by CAPA and cruelty cases, maxing out their
space. He said they had another 60
animals – cats, coming into the shelter.
He said their problems are because CAPA says all the cages have to be
filled before the KCSPCA can euthanize.
Ms. Cooper said “ask all those smart people what to do with the
animals.” (We think she was referring to the AWTF.)
Mr. Usilton went on to say that if KCSPCA gets
the KC contract again, they can lower the fees.
The KC Request for Proposal will be out soon, for award July 1st. It was suggested they table this issue until
then.
Mr. Usilton then said that Senator Blevins and
the AWTF was all about dogs, but what about other animals? Starved ferrets? Ms. Cooper said that in 10 pages of
recommendations, nothing was said about cats.
“It’s a dog welfare task force.”
This is provably not true. There was discussion to amend legislation to name cats as domestic animals, and there was discussion – one whole meeting, in fact, on TNR support for feral/stray/colony cats. Ms. Cooper attended exactly ONE meeting – we attended 7 out of 8. What the AWTF did NOT do, was recommend Mr. Usilton’s suggestion to license cats.
One of the board members asked “if people in
Kent County think we’re closed, what are we doing about that?”
It was noted that the KCSPCA is advertising in
the newspapers and on the internet.
Promotions are up 1,000 %. The
KCSPCA is m the newspapers every Wednesday and Friday, Sunday in the News
Journal. The board member in charge
of this noted that they have good contacts in those newspapers. She also said it was important to have
personal contacts, not just phone calls or e-mails. She said she goes down to the newspaper
office to talk to people. She said
articles like the pig and the parrots improve their image.
Ms. Cooper related a story about a friend who
told her that they called the Governor’s office about a raccoon in her
yard. There was a comment/questions that
the KCSPCA handles things like a dog or cat bitten by a raccoon. However, this raccon had not bitten anyone or
any animal, it was just in the yard.
DNREC told Ms. Cooper’s friend to call a pest control company. So the home-owner called the Governor’s
office, where the KCSPCA was “badmouthed” to Ms. Cooper’s friend by Abby
Betts. According to Ms. Cooper, Ms.
Betts made comments concerning a a contract and refusal to provide quarterly
reports. Ms. Cooper called the
Governor’s office and complained to Ms. Betts supervisor, Beau McDowell,
stating “she (Abby Betts) doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Mr. Moore told Ms. Cooper that she should get
her friend to write a letter to the KCSPCA, and he would send it to the
Governor’s office for a written response.
It was our understanding that they only handle animal to human bite
complaints for the Division of Public Health.
In fact, sometime last year there was an article in the DSN about a dog
that was bitten by a raccoon, and both the Division of Public Health and the
KCSPCA declined to respond to the homeowner.
The dog was euthanized, one of the homeowners buried the raccoon himself
and had to undergo treatment for rabies.
We have not yet contacted Ms. Betts for her comments on this story.
The meeting was adjourned.
Mr. Usilton’s repeated insistence that the counties and the state
should pay for the animal welfare costs - that the KCSPCA was formed as a
non-profit charity to provide – is somewhat contradictory. He and the board want the organization to be
considered a private organization subject to no State enforcement or
regulations, yet want “income” provided to them for their animal welfare
work. There are a number of businesses/industries
in Delaware subject to regulations and licensing requirements that cost money to
comply with – why should a shelter be any different? And perhaps Mr. Usilton would have more time
for grant writing and fundraising – which most executive directors are required
to do – if he stopped spending his time on social media and e-mail threatening
people for disagreeing with him.
