IACC board meeting

Thanks for the post. I think it is great that an apartment complex is willing to waive fees for those who adopt from IACC.

I would love to volunteer there but I think that it would be such a drain on my heart that I could not take it. I commend anyone for being able to do it.

I have not seen your blog yet, Connie. I'm glad you mentioned all the good things we heard last night, because I was still feeling a little stung by the new Director's seeming need to politicize things.

Are you refering to the Director of IACC or HSI?

Since I missed the beginning of the meeting and because I wasn't there last month, I figured I had missed something. I posted on my blog that I had no idea what Scott Newman was saying.

I am pondering the volunteering thing also. On the one hand, I think it is selfish of me to say I want to help animals and then be too squeamish to do it, but on the other hand, I know myself well and I think I would just end up an emotional wreck after about an hour.

Okay, just to clarify. I was at the IACC Board meeting last month, so got the players introduced then. Present last night were:
STEVE TALLEY, CEO and administrator of IACC (current or former City-County Council member)
SCOTT NEWMAN, Director of Public Safety for the city of Indianapolis (former prosecutor for the city)
WARREN PATITZ, newly elected Chairman of the IACC board (owner of Doggone Connection, dog trainer, founder of Move to Act)
DR. DAVID BASH,IACC board member (local physician and animal lover, member of Move to Act)
DREW ???, attorney for IACC
Missing was MARTHA BODEN, IACC board member (Director of Humane Society of Indianapolis)
There are apparently 1 or 2 open board positions on IACC, and that, combined with Ms. Boden's absence, assured that there was no quorum. Director Newman said he has put out an APB for a veterinarian to join the board, but has had no takers yet. I do not believe that Drew or Director Newman are voting members of the board, but I could be wrong about that. I could not find any information about that on the IACC website today.
My comment about politicization was in reference to Director Newman. I won't take up anymore space here, but do have some comments for Connie's blog.

Thanks for the clarification. I am still familiarizing myself with the people associated to these organizations.

I found the IACC website very uninformative. I thought from Steve Talley's comment that to Greg Brush regarding making the website more informative that I would find tons more stuff on it than I did.
I could only find Steve Talley's email address.

I agree that the website is noninformative as well as elementary in appearence. I would think that they could get someone to donate the page to make it more appealing and profeesional. If you go to the Friends of Animal Care and Control website, they have a link that also goes to available pets at IACC abour 80% have no pics. I wonder why they do not advertise more of them on petfinder and where are all the pictures?

There are quite a few on PetFinder. That's where Mom and Dad first spotted my new sister -- Mom fell in love with her there, and Dad fell in love when he went to IACC to check her out! But you're right, pictures are very important. Maybe someone out there, who's good with a camera, could volunteer to spend an afternoon at IACC taking some photos to post?

I'm on the volunteer list at IACC. Since I moved, it's been difficult to get to the shelter. When I did go, I took the dogs outside and played with them in the enclosures in the back. The dogs really appreciate getting out. I felt I was making a huge difference for them. I think it's the most rewarding thing I've done as a volunteer. I try to focus on the dogs and the difference it makes to them. I really wish I could get down there more often. It is sad they're there, but I feel happy knowing I brightened their day by giving them a little play time.

On the board meeting - I was encouraged to see Scott Newman there. It's much easier to ask for change or present a new idea when you're talking directly to the person who can make it happen. He said he would be attending future board meetings as well. He seemed to be open to changing the policy IACC has about not adopting out pit bulls. Indy Pit Crew was awesome at this meeting!! They stood up for pits and offered as much support as IACC could want in order to start adopting these dogs (temp testing, formulation of an adoption policy, etc.) I was so impressed!! I think the best way to effect change is to ask for specific things (policy changes, new programs, etc.) and offer to help implement them or offer a plan. I thought the board seemed open to suggestion. The Kennel Manager, Volunteer Coordinator and the guy who is in charge of the AC Officers all seem to be really caring people who will go out of their way to help animals. You can tell they work their butts off every day. I think they said there are 4 open kennel positions!! The staff is all pulling together to get the work done in spite of that. I walked away with a positive feeling, but I usually try to look at the positive. I could be wrong. There were a few disheartening moments in the meeting, but Scott Newman being open to changing the policy on pits really made my day! I hope he does make the change. It could save so many more dogs. I haven't checked out Connie's blog yet, so I'll head over there now.