Club Business
President Jim Cartner opened the meeting. Brian Dement led us in prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the US flag. We had no guests or visiting Rotarians this week. Check below for past and upcoming birthdays and anniversaries. Ed Woodall has the program next week.
Click here to see all scheduled program dates and responsibilities.
May Birthdays and Anniversaries
4 | Philip Smith | 1 | Cathryn & Gary Hartwell |
27 | David Moore | 3 | Brad & Mel Moser
Micah & Kari Fox |
12 | Ben & Katy Wooten | ||
14 | Jeff & Nancy Bright | ||
16 | Brooke & Nancy Carpenter |
Club Announcements
- The sale of raffle tickets to raise funds to cover the $6280 worth of books freely given to local elementary school students in the name of Rotary has been extended to June 15. Our four area Rotary clubs are selling $100 chances for a vacation for two. As of the Tuesday meeting time, 49 tickets had been sold of the 100 we set as our cut off point. The winner has the choice of receiving a trip or the $4500 cash. Here is your link for more information and to purchase your ticket – http://www.grahamrotaryclub.org/2019-fundraiser.html. Let’s make an extra effort to make this fund raiser a success.
- Jim passed around thank you cards from two elementary school classes where Rotarians read to the children.
Happy Dollar Announcements
- Randy Perkins happily announced that Katie is out of the hospital and hopes to be back to Rotary next week.
Rotarian Responsible for Today’s Program: Dan Seiler
Dan’s claim to fame is that he and his lovely wife lived on their sailboat cruising around California’s coastline for two years before moving to Burlington. Guess he wanted to save the best for last.
Laura Michael – Program Director for Burlington Animal Services
Laura has been BAS program director for about twelve years. She directs promotion and awareness and oversees the volunteer program. She said great change and growth has taken place over the past five and one-half years. BAS is operated by the City of Burlington and serves the entire area of Alamance County. It is funded by all of the municipalities. BAS investigates animal related issues, enforces laws, shelters animals, returns animals to rightful owners when possible, finds new homes for strays and abandoned animals, and encourages responsible pet ownership. There are three components to BAS: the Animal Shelter, the Adoption Center, and the Spay-Neuter Clinic. Twenty-five people are on the team, which include two animal control officers, three customer relations employees, one vet, and three vet techs.
When animals come to the Shelter, they are held for a minimum of 72 hours, but often for a longer period. Animals who come to the shelter receive core vaccinations, are de-wormed, treated for fleas and ticks, and scheduled for spaying or neutering. While being held animals are evaluated for adoption, health and temperament being the main considerations. Fostering has increased over the past couple of years, which has provided short and long-term alternatives to euthanasia.
The Pet Adoption Center was opened in 2004 and is a partnership between Burlington, Alamance County, and PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Society of Alamance County). To date over twenty thousand animals have been adopted out of the Center, which houses twenty dog enclosures and twenty-two cat condos.
The Spay Neuter Clinic of Alamance County is located on South Church St. in Burlington. It was opened in March 2010 as a proactive approach to our animal over population problem. PAWS supplied the building, and the clinic is run by BAS. Dr. Whited is the veterinarian who is there five days a week. Since its opening over 13,500 animals have been treated.
Laura said that the benefits of spaying and neutering are many.
- Lessens disease and cancer risks.
- Reduces aggression, roaming, and fighting.
- Reduces overpopulation.
- Will NOT produce fat and lazy pets.
- Will NOT remove a dog’s protective instincts.
In 2016 a comprehensive study was made to develop a plan to modernize BAS’s facilities. It was decided that building an addition to the Adoption Center to house the Shelter was the best option. Construction began last year and should be finished by the end of the year. $750K funding has come through the City of Burlington, Alamance County, and PAWS.
In 2018, BAS placed 4703 animals in adoptive homes. 90% of the outcomes were positive and avoided euthanasia. This makes our Shelter one of the most successful anywhere.
Conclusion
Thomas Phelps drew the winning ticket in our weekly raffle, but failed to select the Queen of Diamonds. Only 43 cards are left! Jim adjourned the meeting by leading us in a recitation of Rotary’s four-way test.