09.25.07
Are Things Getting Better At The WCRAS?
From what Shelter Concerns has posted it appears conditions may be slowly getting better at the shelter. They have a rundown of consultant Gary Coe’s top ten concerns about the shelter. Short form below:
- Too many people trying to run the shelter.
- Facility capacity.
- Staff levels and schedules were a problem.
- Kennel management was lacking.
- City and County rules and regulations are not consistent with the shelter.
- Lack of supplies. How to obtain supplies.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are not complete. SOPs have been changing day-to-day.
- No idea what the euthanasia rate is.
- Emancipet contract (spay/neuter) a big issue.
- IT computer problems.
Shelter Concerns has the full list with much more explanation of each item. Also more on the meeting, and apparently Pct. 3 commissioner Valerie Covey still doesn’t get it. Here’s the wrap up of the meeting.
Covey continues to be extremely negative and unsupportive of change. She continually tried to pick apart at what Coe and others said. She even got into [it] with Leander Councilman Perez who told her “Let her (Schneider) do her job.†I did notice that for once she appeared to be on her own when complaining about issues. I feel strongly that she needs to be released from her position on the Board. If she remains, change will occur slowly or possibly not at all.
I was very pleased with the meeting. Most of the issues I have been addressing for the last three months were finally spoken about in public. In my opinion, the success of the shelter will rest with the Director and her staff. However, the Board of Directors, Council members, Commissioners and Mayors need to provide support and let the Director do her thing. I was able to meet Ethel Spence and Cheryl Schneider. I was impressed with their knowledge and passion. I think they will make a strong team. I was happy to hear Schneider say “I like specifics. I am a numbers person.†Gary Coe did a nice job of presenting the facts and giving credit, when due, to the appropriate staff. I think the shelter is on the right track.
My concerns are a change to the hold period of only 72-hours straight, possibly removing the Volunteer Coordinator position from the budget permanently and when Coe leaves will the Board and others still express their support for these necessary changes as well as provide for Schneider and Spence. Will they stand by the Director and her team? We know how easily some go back on their word…especially when no one is watching!
Yes we do. Thanks for all the hard work on this.
TDP has an article up as well, Hired consultant tracks Wilco shelter’s disarray.
Coe said it is this lack of organization that has created so many problems for the shelter in the past and urged the board to take his recommendations seriously.
“I am confident that if you don’t implement these things you will find yourself back where you were two months ago and it will crater again,†Coe said.
Well there’s hope now, which is more than we’ve been able to say for a while.
Eye on Williamson » Conservative Budgeting Doomed WCRAS From The Beginning said,
October 8, 2007 at 9:49 am
[...] would seem, and do this on-the-cheap. Three shelter directors later, a higher budget, and finally things are looking up at the WCRAS. Imagine that? If they would have only listened to reason in the first place all of [...]