Buffalo Companion Animal Network

Meeting Minutes 10.05.05

Carol Tutzauer, President

Clara Miller, Vice President Communications

Henry Sontag, Vice President Networking

Vacancy, Vice President of Operations

Polla Millig, Treasurer

Alex Murphy, Secretary

Pam Rose, Board Member At-Large

Sign in

7:00 PM, 112 Crescent St., Buffalo, NY (Home of Roseanne Higgins)

Order of Business

In attendance: Carol Tutzauer, Clara M. Miller, Henry J. Sontag, Roseanne Higgins, Kathy Billiteri, Alex Murphy, Frank Tutzauer, Pam Rose.

1. Call to order (President).

2. Past Year Recap (Carol Tutzauer):

• Activities undertaken – a recap of our first year(Carol Tutzauer): Rescue, Outreach (Counseling).
• Financial Recap (Clara Miller): Financial report presented for period ending 8/30/05. It has been determined that we need a better system. There have been issues with holding checks to long. Roseanne Higgins voiced concern that too much was expended on older dogs. Discussion arose as to the best way to show expenses vs. donations on our financial report.
• Katrina Cats (Clara Miller and Carol Tutzauer): Cats are doing well. All seem social and domestic. Most have URI. Alex Murphy will set up an internet Weblog (“blog”) for them. Clara is desperate for supplies such as litter, newspaper, bleach, etc. Media will be conacted.

3. Looking Ahead:

· Coalition (Carol Tutzauer, Henry Miller): First meeting has taken place, which consisted of overview of goals, etc. Carol and Henry were broken off into separate focus groups. Henry is involved in identifying and working on goals and objectives, while Carol’s subcommittee is working on guidelines. A lot of discussion seems to be focused on working to obtain funding from “Maddie’s Fund.” This would require our city/area to go “no kill.”

· Priorities for Next Year (Carol Tutzauer): Improve city animal welfare policies, form more programs in our organization that go beyond the realm of rescue. Set up regularly scheduled meetings to be held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM. Work towards setting more goals.

4. Upcoming Events (Carol Tutzauer):

· Bills Buffet: Ongoing, weekly, at Sterling Tavern, is bringing in donations.

· Clarence Adoption Fair (part of weekly Farmer’s Market): We will be participating this weekend, brining Rex and Mischief.

· Microchip Clinic: Still planned for 10/15 & 10/16 at the Puppy Playpen. Deposit deadline will be extended. Alex Murphy will produce a write up to promote the PETS Legislation coming before the U.S. House of Representatives. We will be using AVID chips, which have been designated as “universal” (can be read with ISO and non-ISO scanners). Dr. Jim will provide appropriate waivers for the procedure. Ultimate goal is to raise enough money to be able to set up a mobile chip program (with vehicle, etc.), so we can have a traveling clinic.

· Holiday Bear (Polla Millig): Media blitz to commence in the next two weeks (even is 10/22 & 10/23). Student Teams recruited from Carol’s class will be participating. An Appraiser will determine prices, and which items should be held back for e-bay auction (which should be more profitable).

· Cookbook (Clara Miller): Final revisions have been made. Selling price will be $18.00. Pam will work out discount tiers based on numbers purchases (ex. we want to offer a discount to Quaker Bonnet who will be buying 100 copies to give away). Pam will extrapolate tiers based on experience selling note cards through zoo. The price charged will include tax.

· UB Student Team (Carol Tutzauer): Over 200 students from Carol’s class have been assigned various responsibilities: Bear Event, Adoption Event, PR (formulating Press Contacts), Dog-Bit Prevention Education planning, Community Outreach (through block clubs, etc.), Membership Drive, Name Recognition, New Dog Ownership Manual, Cat Ownership Manual, Pit Bull Problem, Pet Overpopulation, Hoarding, Christmas at the Mall, Animal Welfare Legislation, PetSmart Charity Registration, Spay/Neuter Info.

4. Concerns:

· Dog Flu: Is this a risk for our Foster Homes? Will we provide support to care for pets in home if we introduce a virus or pathogen? We probably should.

Motion (by Clara Miller): Assign Alex Murphy to research and write up a handout to be posted on website with facts and suggestions on preventing the flu. Unanimously adopted. Alex will get feed back from Roseanne Higgins.

5. Other Business:

• Election: Nomination by Carol Miller, for Roseanne Higgins to become VP of Operations, seconded by all, and Roseanne Higgins has unanimously been elected as the VP of Operations, replacing Suzanne Laba.

Adjournment

(after much digression and chatter) 9:45PM