Board Members Present:                                                                             Guests Present:

Pat Freytag                                                                                               Francier Edwards-Gay

Sherri Clark

Mark Brooks

Julie Caprette

Amy Bradford

Mike Lorenzen

Cindy Crochet

 

Meeting called to order by Pat Freytag, president at 1:12 p.m.

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Purpose of Meeting:  Quarterly Board Meeting

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Treasurer’s Report:  Sherri C. asked if there were any questions on the financial reports for January 2024, February 2024 and March 2024 that were distributed before the meeting. Sherri mentioned that notable items were the annual Insurance payment and that the monthly merchant service fee has been eliminated.

Motion:  Julie C. to accept financials for all months. 2nd Mark B.  Vote – Unanimous to accept.

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Amy B. provided a summary update of the Adoption Committee in Ryan and Sherrie’s absence. Amy B. reported that there are 5 open adoption applications with 3 pending and that there is an Adoption Committee meeting scheduled for May 22nd.  Sherri C. mentioned that the committee is also focused on recruiting foster volunteers. Mike L. confirmed that all dogs have been adopted.

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Status Permanent Foster (PF)Dogs:  Gritty, Elias, Cindy, Bruce, Tonopah, Fiona, and Tucker are all doing well just aging; Emma has a cardiology checkup in June. Morgan also a senior who was adopted by her foster family.

There was a discussion about a stray Saluki Mix reported to GPAH and Diana is trying to catch. Once caught Diana will take them to the veterinarian to be checked out.

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Mike L. reported that he is researching pre-built databases for dog adoptions to use as a starting point to then modify for GPAH purposes so that we have access to a user interface to make it user friendly for easy access and updating. He anticipates being able to provide an update within several weeks. Sherri C. stated that she still has access to the old database but is no longer making edits. She is documenting all the edits to be entered once the new database is up and running.

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Mike L. stated that he and Sherrie K. are the only two set up to receive the incoming calls from the GPAH main number. He reported that there are a lot of calls with miscellaneous requests or reports of dog surrenders for various breeds. Since Sherrie K. is currently unable to assist Mike L. asked for volunteers to help answer incoming calls. The system is set up where the incoming calls ring on all numbers simultaneously and when someone answers it stops ringing on the other lines. If no one answers they can leave a voice message which is retrieved and returned. Pat F. and Amy B. volunteered to help with the incoming calls. Pat F and Sherri C offered their assistance to help with questions and provide direction.

There was a discussion among the members coming up with the following suggested steps.  

1. If the caller reports, it is a greyhound:

   1. Ask for them to send a picture for verification. If it looks like a greyhound then,

   2. Request identifying information tag number, ear tattoos, microchip, etc.

   3. Check GPAH files to determine if it is one of our dogs. If it is not, then try and find the original greyhound group.

      1. Check the greyhound database.

      2. Email the contacts of other greyhound groups.

   4. Engage the transport team.

   5. Engage the foster team.

2. If the caller reports other breeds tell them that GPAH only takes greyhounds and provide suggestions. Google rescues for the specific breed. Post a picture with found message to various sites such as the area neighborhoods where the dog was found, PawBoost, NextDoor, Lost & Found Pets of Houston, etc. They can also check local shelters or Friends for Life which is a no kill shelter.

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Pat F. stated that if the greyhound is at a shelter, to prevent legal battles we must have written release to GPAH to have title to the dog in case the owner comes back to the shelter.

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Julie C. reported that the About information on the Facebook page says the hounds are at the Noble Center. Pat F. asked Julie to update to update so that it says, “Foster home-based adoption program”.

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Julie C. let the Board know that the manager at Best Friends has offered GPAH the use of office space and storge area at their kennel free of charge. Best Friends is where the transport team meets up with the volunteer fosters to transfer the dogs. This would allow the Best Friends facility to be a designated neutral place for potential adopters to meet the available dogs.  The Board asked Julie C. to pursue the opportunity and report back.

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Next board meeting July 28, 2024. Annual meeting October 27, 2024.

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Motion to adjourn: Sherri C.  2nd Mark B. Unanimous approval.

Adjourn:  1:58 pm