Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Davies and Patel.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. Where the item is already included on the agenda, it will appear under that item but new items of urgent business will be dealt with at item 6.

None submitted

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the Authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgement of the public interest.

None submitted

To consider the work that Wood Green Animal Shelter is currently carrying out both within Haringey and outside the borough, including their draft animal welfare educational strategy aimed at all age groups.

ANIMAL WLEFARE IN HARINGEY WOOD GREEN ANIMAL SHELTERS

Linda Cantle, Head of Policy (Animal Welfare) from Wood Green Animal Shelters attended the meeting to discuss the work of the organisation.  We noted that the Charity began its work in a small house in North London over 80 years ago; this became too small for the work of the organisation. A small pig farm in Hertfordshire was purchased in 1954 to take on the increasing amount of dogs and cats being brought in and provided the charity with improved facilities to house the animals. Eventually in 1984 52 acres of farmland was bought in Godmanchester to expand further the work of the animal welfare organisation.  All three of the Wood Green sites have grown and developed enormously over the last 80 years and have helped to set national standards in animal welfare across the Country.

• The Charity has three Shelters – Godmanchester, Haydon and London.
• Do not receive government or lottery funding an delays on the support of the public.
• The Godmanchester shelter is one of the largest re-homing centres in Europe
• Approximately 5,000 animals are taken in each year  - 75% are brought in by people no longer able to cope or where their circumstances has changed.
• It costs £16,000 per day to run the Shelters.
• All animals brought in are seen by veterinary staff at a cost of £165 per animal – last year 20,000 animals were seen.
• The cost of providing food shelter and home costs on average £335 per cat, £648 per dog, £850 per field animal and £45 per small animal.
• 95% of animals brought in are successfully rehoused.
• Wood Green’s Pet Alert Scheme will care for pets if something happened to their owners.
• The fostering care scheme has placed approximately 166 dogs, 111 cats into temporary short-term accommodation.
• The organisation produces an e-newsletter as a cost-effective means of communicating current news.

The shelter is presented with unwanted animals for as variety of reasons including:

• Financial issues
• Change in family circumstances.

The charity has developed educational strategies aimed at the under 16s and from age 16 to adults. 

The 2007 figures indicates that the RSPCA have reported an increase in the number of convictions for cruelty to dogs and cats, suggesting that animals are becoming throw away items and the commitments ill thought through.

The shelter deals with approximately 6 dog fights per week in Haringey this is evidenced by the number of dogs and types of injuries sustained.

It appears that the profile of pet ownership has changed and the link about lifestyle choices and correct pet selection is underdeveloped.

• Whilst general awareness about the issues of pet ownership is increasing, the link about lifestyle choices and correct pet selection is undeveloped.

• There is an increasing lack of opportunity to interact with certain animals, including companion animals.

• Negative messages from the media on dog ownership are creating an avoidance culture on certain breeds and, more broadly, dogs generally.  These messages are reinforced by media  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To agree a timetable for the next meetings of the Panel 28^th November  at  4m.

The next meeting will be held on Friday 28 November 2008 @ 4pm The RSPCA will give evidence for the review.

To deal with any items of urgent business admitted at item 2 above.

Yuniea Semambo                                                 Sharon Miller

Head of Members Services                                  Principal Scrutiny Support Officer

225 River Park House                                           Tel No: 020 8489-2928

Wood Green N22 4HQ                                                                 Sharon.miller@haringey.gov.uk    

There were no items of urgent business