January 2013 - Missouri Animal Control Association

MACA Newsletter
Missouri Animal Control Association
January 2013
2013 Annual Training Conference
Pack your bags for the 2013 Annual Training Conference, October 2nd –4th at the Inn
at the Grand Glaize, Lake Ozark! This year we will have a new format for many aspects of the training conference.
We’ll begin the conference with a happy hour reception at 5:00 p.m. on October 1st to
break the ice for our veteran members and all those new to MACA and the annual training conference. This year’s conference will have a wide range of topics geared to peak
the interest of all of our members– field, shelter and administrative personnel.
Our training days will have lecture in the morning followed by afternoon breakout sessions. This will allow our members and attendee’s to pick training based on their interest and needs or the needs of their organization. The topics for the different sessions
range from the follow: field operation tools, basic K-9 training, hands on trapping
demonstrations, intro to temperment testing, large animal handling, shelter photography,
equipment repair, and building community partnerships, grant writing, and many more.
Our morning speakers will give us insight into law enforcement partnerships, emergency preparedness scenarios, dealing with hoarders, and a requested return of the
ASPCA and their training on dog fighting presentation. We will also be getting updates
from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, our State Veterinarian, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, and of course the National Animal Control Association.
A Word From the President
Happy New Year All! It is a great honor to be able to fulfill the remaining 1 year of
former MACA President, Rick Smith’s 3 year term. He was a great leader for our organization and I will try my very best to maintain his goal of increasing training opportunities for our members and expanding our organization’s reach to other professions
that overlap our work in one way or another. While my term in office is short, I have
many plans on increasing the availability of tools and training to our members at this
year’s annual training conference and at the two mini
training conferences to be held in April this year. We
have so many great resources within our membership,
our respective contacts, and community partners. It is
my hope that in working together we can all gain valuable training, knowledge, and resources. I look forward to seeing you at one of our many upcoming
MACA events!
Rebecca Smail– 2013 MACA President
2013
MACA EVENTS
Certification Training
Week of
March 18th
Columbia
September 17th &18th
Cape Girardeau
Mini Conferences
Topic: Hoarding
April 10th
Grandview
April 16th
Poplar Bluff
Annual Training
Conference
October 2nd-4th
Inn at the Grand Glaize
Lake Ozarks
Legislative News
*House Bill 153*
Stat e Repr esentati ve
Sheila Solon, from Blue
Springs, has just
introduced legislation that
expands the crime of
assault of a law
enforcement officer in the
first, second, and third
degrees to include the
assault of an animal
control officer.
Missouri Animal Control Association
Page 2
2012 Annual Conference Recap
The 2012 Annual Training Conference, held last September at the
Country Club Hotel & Spa in Lake Ozark Missouri, was a huge
success! We were able to hear from many different speakers on a
wide variety of topics related to our field. We also received up
dates from a few state employees on issues pertaining directly to our
operations and public health. From the surveys that were submitted,
we found that, overall, attendee’s felt that the conference was a success and that the speakers’ information and presentations were of
value to our members. Several members also asked that the next
conference have a later daily start time, include more time for the
ASPCA’s Blood Sport presentation, more information on emergency preparedness as it relates to animal control, have the conference at the Lake again, and include an “ice breaker” happy hour.
We are pleased to announce that those requests are going to be implemented at the 2013 Annual Training Conference!
2012 Award Recipients
John Rhodes Award– No nominations submitted
Officer of the Year–
Stan Flowers, Saint Louis County Animal Care & Control
“Paws” for Applause–
Paula Dillinger, Harrisonville Police Department
Veterinarian of the Year–
Dr. Julie Brinker, Humane Society of Missouri
Missouri Outstanding Animal Welfare Agency–
Saint Louis County Department of Health,
Animal Care & Control
2013 MACA Board
Executive Board Members
President– Rebecca Smail
[email protected]
Vice President– Drew Hane
[email protected]
Secretary– Angie Deras
[email protected]
Treasurer– Carmen Skelly
[email protected]
Board Members
Richard Adams– [email protected]
Wayne Allred– [email protected]
Mark Hastings– [email protected]
Shawna Walker– [email protected]
Certification Chairperson
Christine Portmann- [email protected]
Web Master
Gina Tanner– [email protected]
A Word From the Certification Chair
Happy 2013 everyone! The MACA Certification committee is excited about the start of a new year! We intend to hold two
training classes in 2013, one is Southeast Missouri and another in North Central Missouri. As always, the committee will
strive to make sure that we are bringing the best training we possibly can to our members. Please remember to send your
certification CEU’s to me directly so that I can get you the credit for the hours earned. We look forward to seeing new and
old friends at the Certification training, the upcoming minis and of course the new and improved fall conference! Happy
New Year again and stay safe!
Christine Portmann– 2013 MACA Certification Chair
Missouri Animal Control Association
Page 3
2013 Missouri Animal Control Association Awards
Do you know someone in the field of
Animal Control, Animal Welfare, or
Veterinary Practice that deserves recognition for their work in 2012 or 2013?
Consider nominating them for a prestigious MACA Award. Award winners
will be announced and honored at the
Annual Conference, during the banquet.
given of themselves to make a
substantial improvement for animal welfare.
John Rhodes Award—
This very prestigious award is for
the Animal Welfare Professional
that goes above and beyond the
call of duty, who exemplifies the
role of our profession, and has
made great changes that better our
profession.
Missouri Outstanding Animal
Welfare Agency—
This award is given to the Missouri Animal Shelter (municipal,
humane society, or other animal
shelter) that is improving the quality of life for companion animals;
a shelter that exceeds industry
standards—either by implementing new programs, increasing
adoptions, establishing spay/
neuter programs, or by establishing public outreach programs.
Officer of the Year—
This award is given to the Animal
Control or Humane Officer who
exhibits dedication to the profession.
“Paws” for Applause—
This award is for a friend of Animal Welfare in Missouri, who has
Veterinarian of the Year—This
award is for a veterinarian who
has provided outstanding service
to aid an animal welfare program.
Hane. The form (found on the website)
will allow you to select the award you
wish to nominate the person/shelter for,
give specific information on the person/
shelter, and list your information. A
letter should accompany the form, explaining the reasons why you believe
this person/shelter is most deserving of
the award. Nominations are then presented to the MACA Executive Board
for a confirmation vote.
Nominations can be mailed to:
Awards Committee C/O MACA
PO Box 847
St. Peters, MO 63376
They can also be emailed directly to
Drew Hane at [email protected]
Or you may submit your nomination on
To nominate a person or shelter for one the website www.maca1.net
of the MACA Awards, simply submit an
award nomination form and letter to Applications must be received no
Awards Committee Chairman, Drew later than September 1st, 2013.
Missouri Department of Agriculture Up -Date
The start of the new year is a busy time
for the Animal Care Program, as well as
for our partners throughout the state. It’s
time for both license renewals and grant
applications, and in some areas, a great
time to meet new staff from the Department, too.
application, program of veterinary care,
per capita worksheet, and tax compliance worksheet. If you have questions,
please call the Department at (573) 7513076.
Applications for grants from the “I’m
Pet Friendly” Spay and Neuter Grant
Program are available now and accepted
through February 15. The grants support
spay and neuter programs providing
those operations for shelters as well as
low income pet owners. The sale of “I’m
Pet Friendly” license plates goes toward
funding spay and neuter initiatives
across the state. Better yet, let everybody know that you’re pet friendly when
you get your own pet friendly plates!
Missouri Animal Control Association
members should remember that ACFA
license renewal documents are due January 31. New for this year, all of the
forms are available online and most are
fillable PDFs. To access the downloadable forms you can save to your computer, please visit our website at http://
mda.mo.gov/animals/health/staff.php.
Municipal facilities only need to complete a renewal application and per capita worksheet. If your facility is privately In addition to those opportunities, many
operated, please complete the renewal members have the opportunity to meet
new members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care staff
in the new year. During 2012, Animal
Care added four inspectors and two veterinarians to bring their staffing total to
15 inspectors, two investigators and
three veterinarians. The team has
worked very hard to improve not only
the standard of care in licensed facilities
throughout the state, but also to be more
available to answer questions and make
follow up visits as requested.
If you have questions about licenses,
grants, or want to learn more about the
Animal Care Program and the inspector
for your area, please visit the Department online at mda.mo.gov or call (573)
751-3076.
Matt Rold, ACFA Coordinator
Missouri Animal Control Association
Page 4
Puppy Mills Decline Dramatically In Missouri
As a result of the new Canine Cruelty Prevention Act
combined with a significant
increase in enforcement efforts by the Department of
Agriculture and the Attorney
General’s Office, the number
of puppy mills has declined
dramatically with the closing
of over 900 commercial
breeders in Missouri. The
average number of dogs per
mill has also declined as
many breeders are downsizing due to the new regulations. We can confidently
say that there are at least
50% less dogs in puppy
mills in Missouri today than
as recently as 2009.
At a recent legislative hearing, a representative for the
Hunte Corporation, the largest broker of pet store puppies in the country, complained that their business
has declined by over 50%
and that they have downsized from 350 employees to
150 since the passage of the
Canine Cruelty Prevention
Act. At another legislative
hearing, some legislators
vowed to weaken the new
law, as they felt it was closing down too many breeders.
One state representative
went so far as to vow to
weaken all laws protecting
animals in the state in retaliation for the “devastating
impact” that the new law had
on breeders.
Unfortunately, what some in
the legislature fail to recognize is the real reason why
so many commercial dog
breeders have stopped breeding dogs. Namely, that far
too many were in the business simply for a quick
buck. Many of these breeders sought to produce puppies as cheaply as possible
regardless of the welfare of
the breeding dogs. Too often, a breeding dog could be
replaced cheaper than having
it treated by a veterinarian
and thus many breeding
dogs were left to languish in
the hope it would “get better
on its own”. Fortunately, the
Canine Cruelty Prevention
Act now requires veterinary
care for a seriously ill animal
and every breeding dog must
be examined at least once a
year by a veterinarian.
While most pet owners routinely have their dogs examined yearly, such a requirement for dogs producing up
to two litters a year was seen
as too costly for many commercial dog breeders.
Canine Cruelty Prevention
Act. The industry’s initial
request for a temporary restraining order against the
regulations has thankfully
failed.
The new law also requires
that breeders provide their
dogs with adequate living
space and access to the outdoors. If there was ever hard
evidence of the abusive living conditions of puppy mill
dogs, it is the fact that 50%
of the dog breeders have
closed down rather than
meet these basic humane
standards of care for their
animals.
It is truly telling when common sense measures such as
veterinary care, adequate
living space, and fresh air
are drawing so much ire
from the commercial dog
breeders. As one USDA
inspector told a group of
Missouri breeders shortly
after the new law passed,
you should welcome the new
law as it finally gives you an
opportunity to rid yourself of
the moniker of “puppy mill.”
Regrettably, the mindset of
the industry has not changed
as they continue to fight and
oppose basic care of their
breeding animals.
Dog breeders are also pursuing legal action to stop the
enforcement of the new law.
Dog breeding representatives
have filed a lawsuit to overturn key provisions in the
Bob Baker
Executive Director
Missouri Alliance for
Animal Legislation
[email protected]
314-361-3944
Pets Helping People
Each year in the Spring, the City of Grandview Neighborhood Services sponsors a fundraiser: “Pets Helping
People.” This year, the 11th annual event is scheduled for April 20, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Conn West
Elementary School. This program offers low-cost rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs. The proceeds are donated to Grandview Assistance Program (GAP) in order to provide assistance to low income families.
Sponsorship for this event is $100 and includes:





Your business logo on the back of the official event T-shirt
Your business logo displayed on the sponsor board and GAP’s website
Your business logo placed on the Pets Helping People take-home flyer
The opportunity to host a booth display the day of the event
Your business flyers or giveaways goodies for our giveaway bags handed out to participants
Sponsorship deadline is Friday, March 29, 2013
Contact either Shawna (816-316-4828) or Sharon (816-761-1919) if interested!
Missouri Animal Control Association
Page 5
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Missouri Animal
Control Association
P.O. Box 847
St. Peters, MO 63376
WE
ARE ON THE WEB!
Visit us at:
www.maca1.net
Public Perception Influences Training Opportunities
Throughout the last decade a
lot of emphasis has been put
on adding more “care” into
animal care and control.
From the non-profit perspective it has been refreshing to
see these government agencies allocating resources to
allow for better adoptions,
nicer housing, and increased
training for their officers.
For many years previous to
this, animal control officers
were perceived as uncaring
and indifferent to the cause
they chose as a profession.
What we have seen in this
new era of easy access to
information and instant communication with peers are
animal control agencies that
have been sent warp-speed
into the new millennium.
As with any rapid change,
challenges arise as we try to
deal with the difficulties of
working in such a highly
emotional field.
Officers
that at one time only had to
deal with the general public
are now put in a position to
have to work with animal
rescue groups, national rescue organizations and caring
and well-intentioned volunteers. This new style and
mentality of thinking requires animal control agencies to re-evaluate past and
current policies as well as
put more effort into the use
of effective human communication. After all, at the end
of the day most officers will
tell you that animal control
is more of a human problem
than an animal problem.
It is encouraging that groups
such as MACA and NACA
continue to offer such great
training programs and certifications for officers to
evolve and adapt to the
changes in their field. The
roles and expectations of
animal control agencies and
the non-profit animal shelters are often blurred by the
public, but to those in the
field there are stark differences. Dealing with public
perception versus the reality
of providing for public
health and safety makes the
job of an animal control officer that much more difficult.
As the pressure to provide
better and more humane care
for our animal clients increases, so does the need for
better trained and more
adaptable humane officers.
Congratulations to MACA
for continuing to provide
this important training. I
look forward to an exciting
year ahead!
Steve Kaufman
Executive Director
Animal Protective
Association of
Missouri