Invocation: Jim Damian

Flag Salute: Dave Morton

Song: Steve Illingworth

Greeter: Bill Lever

 

Dave Wheldon had a guest: Clint Trimmer of the Salvation Army.  He will just stick with perpetual guest status until the end of time!

 

Jim Damian had two guests:

Dixie Smith and Trent Jenkins

 

President Leland had Rotary yard signs to give away.  He also announced the All Club meeting on March 3 at the Career Technical Education Center catered by the ROC Culinary Arts program.

 

Kern River Conservancy has expanded to the Southern Sierra Conservancy.

 

Jim Damian did NOT buy a Mach 1 like Joe Gregory.  Instead, he bought a dented dishwasher from Urners.  Watershed day at the Damian household…..

 

Subsequently, Steve Illingworth was fined $100 for the free Jim Damian ad.

 

Bill Lever self-reported not wearing a rotary pin at a magic show.  He knew he would be busted by Joe Gregory (who was also there) so he fessed up, passing the 4-way test, and agreed to a $100 fine.

 

 

This excellent program by Nick Cullen, Kern County Animal Services Director, was introduced by Steve Sanders.

 

Very honest and informative.  Nick became Director in 2013.  He started working for Animal Services (then Animal Control) in 2005 as an Animal Control Tech (dog catcher) and in 2011 he became supervisor of the three County animal shelters.  Now there is only one because the County and City had an animal shelter divorce.

 

At the peak, 31,000 dogs and cats went through the shelter per year, and of those about 20,000 were euthanized.  This started to improve in 2014 when they invited and encouraged volunteers and partnered with non-profits and soon after hired a full-time vet.  

 

 

As their euthanasia began to decrease they began striving to be a “No Kill” shelter.  "No Kill" means at least 90% of the animals are adopted.  Also known as “live release rate”.  They achieved No-Kill status in 2020-21 which was an amazing accomplishment. However, he acknowledged that COVID created fewer intakes which made it easier to achieve.  Currently, they are back below the 90% live release rate.  There is a nationwide lack of qualified vets that is creating a crisis, especially for shelters. So much so, that they are offering a $25,000 signing bonus in their search for a full-time vet. 

 

Nick ended with a call for volunteers.  They need as many volunteers as possible to help with vaccine clinics and to increase pet interaction time.  There were lots of questions.  Pastor Jeff asked about how long the average stay is and the cost.  Nick said the stays vary so much it is hard to say but that the average cost is about $260 per animal.  Karen Goh gave kudos.  Ben Stinson asked what the strangest animal was that has been brought in.  The answer:  a Bear!

 

Nick stayed after and got even more questions.