The Animal Issues Task Force was established by Springfield City Council in early 2012 for the purpose of "gaining public input and assistance in addressing the ever-increasing animal-related issues facing our community." The group began meeting in spring 2012. This page includes links to all materials given to the the task force during its work.

The task force's next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013, in the fourth floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Ave.

Official Charge from City Council
"The Task Force's charge shall be to examine current Health Department animal shelter facilities, policies and procedures and recommend any changes that would improve the level and quality of services from the standpoint of public safety and animal welfare. The review would include a determination of possible alternatives to the current shelter and recommendations as to whether the City should continue to maintain the present shelter or proceed with one or more of the alternatives. The task force should consider funding options and recommendation for during any proposed actions(s)."

Membership
Members of the task force are as follows:

• Mary Collette, Chairwoman
• Carl Woodland
• Janet Martin
• Gwen Evans
• Karenanne Fitzsimmons
• Alicia Mathis
• Kathleen Cowens
• Dr. Rita Wittu
• Carrie Galvan
• Dr. Dave Weddle

The task force sent a memo to City Council in January 2013 outlining its thought process and its framework for recommendations, along with the first set of formal recommendations dealing with the animal shelter. More recommendations are forthcoming.

• Recommendation No. 1 - Animal Shelter Facilities 

The following are materials that were presented to or requested by the task force at each meeting, plus the official agendas and minutes. Links to additional materials or information that were part of the group's discussions can be found in the blog posts linked above.

     May 3, 2013 meeting 
     Agenda  
     Letter to City Council   

     April 1, 2013 meeting 
     Agenda  
     Minutes  
     Presentation: How Calgary & Omaha Ordinances Compare to Springfield
     Omaha Dangerous Dog Ordiance  
     Omaha Reckless Owner Ordiance  
     Omaha Anti-Tethering Ordinance  
     Table Comparing Dog Bite Statuses  
     Article: The Case Against Breed Discrimination by Insurance Companies    

     March 4, 2013 meeting
     Agenda
     Minutes
     Overview of Current Pit Bull Ordinance
     List of Media Stories on Pit Bull Attacks (1990-2010)
     2012 Pit Bull Statistics
     10-year Animal Control Statistics
     10-year Animal Control Statistics Explanation
     Article: Georgia's Responsible Dog Owner Act  

     Jan. 14, 2013 meeting  
     Agenda
     Minutes  
     Draft: Program Recommendations 

     Dec. 3, 2012 meeting  
     Agenda  
     Minutes  
     Draft: New Shelter Recommendations  
     Draft: Licensing Program Recommendations  

     Oct. 29, 2012 meeting  
     Agenda  
     Minutes  
     Licensing PowerPoint presentation  
     Article: Delimmas of Trap-Neuter-Release  

     Sept. 24, 2012 meeting
     Agenda    
     Recap (blog post)  

     Aug. 27, 2012 meeting
     Agenda  
     Minutes  
     Feral cat PowerPoint presentation  
     Calgary animal policies study (7 MB download)   
     HSUS spay/neuter study  
     PetSmart spay/neuter study  

     July 30, 2012 meeting
     Agenda 
     Minutes   
     Pet Licensing in Benchmark Cities  
     Pet Licensing in Benchmark Cities - Chart  
     HSUS feral cats letter  
     Issues Brainstorm List (updated)  

     June 25, 2012 meeting
     Agenda  
     Minutes  
     Comparing Cities PowerPoint presentation  
     Issues Brainstorm List  
     City of Springfield Animal Ordinances  

     May 21, 2012 meeting
     Agenda
     Minutes  
     Program Models PowerPoint presentation 

     April 30, 2012 meeting
     Agenda
     Minutes
     Animal Control Overview PowerPoint presentation (5 MB download)  
     Springfield-Greene County Animal Control Data Overview 
     Letter from USPS