Pet Group September Minutes

[WEBSITE EDITION]

David Elder brought the meeting to order at 11:02. 22 members were in attendance + 1 guest speaker.

Minutes from the June Meeting were approved.

Old Business

• It is imperative that all pet owners read and follow the rules as stated in the Resident’s Handbook Appendix E. or we could lose the privilege of having a pet. The handbook clearly says, “Pets must be on a leash or in a cage at all times when outside your apartment and should never be allowed to run free.” Please remember that some residents have a fear of dogs or allergies to cats and be considerate.
• Items are collected for donation to the MDSPCA. If you have any items for donation, bring them to the meeting or contact Elsie Kemp, HRT23 or Otto Greul. If you need any items, let them know.

Resident contact information is available on the MyErickson Resident Directory.

• The updated Resident Handbook is available online and hardcopies at the front desks. A change to Appendix E that will affect pet owners is “All dogs and cats must be registered with the appropriate jurisdiction.”
• David reminded everyone that if you see a pet in an apartment with no paw print, let Otto know and we will get them the information they need.
• Cat Clinic information Dates:  December 13. The October Clinic has been cancelled. Clinics are held In the Cross Creek Arts Room from 8 – 11 am. Please call Dr Nesbitt directly (410-869-0800) for an appointment.

New Business

• There have been increased complaints about people not picking up after dogs. If you see someone not picking up after their pet, including indoor accidents, notify Security. If it is not reported, it cannot be corrected.
• We have a long-handled scooper in the storage locker. If anyone needs this scooper, they can have it.
• Allison Chlada, Volunteer Coordinator, is looking for pets for the Pet Visitor Program.

Pets go to visit Continuing Care  residents. If you are interested, contact Allison.

• The Ecumenical Blessing of Pets will be on October 4, 12:00 noon at the statue of St. Francis of Assissi at the

Our Lady of Angels Chapel. This activity shows that Charlestown values pet ownership.

• The group has 225 residents with 195 pets: 109 cats, 82 dogs, 3 birds, 1 rabbit –

this includes 5 pets in Caton Woods and 1 in Wilton Overlook.

• Betty Gardner showed a Pet Yearbook from a retirement community and asked if we would be interested in creating one at Charlestown. It was decided that this is something that could be included on the ccicharlestown.org website. After the pictures are there, we could look at creating a paper book. Betty Elder will serve as the contact for this effort. If you are interested in having your pet in the gallery, send a picture of your pet (with or without you), its name and year of birth and your name to Betty Elder. She will work with Hope Tillman to set this up.
• David Elder and Hope Tillman will set up a Gmail group for “chat” type sharing of information between members – pet information, donations, etc. You will receive an invitation to join this group. More information to come.

CCIcharleston.org website

Hope Tillman, webmaster, showed us how to find Pet Group information on the CCICharlestown.org resident website.

Open your browser and type “ccicharlestown.org”

There are 2 ways to locate our information:

• Enter “Pet Group” in the Search Box or
• Click on the Pet Group Icon – (with the picture of the puppy)

Information on the page includes the Resource List. This is the place to get the latest Resource List if you are looking for a vet, boarder, walker, etc.   Hope can update this as soon as she is notified of changes.  If you know of a change to the list, send David Elder the information and he will work with Hope.  Because this website is open to the public, contact information for Resident Helpers is not included.  You can get that information by using the Resident Directory.

Thanks to Hope for coming today to talk to us about the website.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:50.

NEXT MEETING – October 22, 2024, in Brookside Classroom 2.

Meetings are always on the 4th Tuesday at 11AM. (no meeting in July, August, and December)

REQUEST FOR HELP

Otto has been contacted by a resident who needs help walking 2 large dogs while dealing with an illness.

If you can help with this, please call Otto.