Members Present:Sharon Blumberg (Sasha, white Bichon), Peg Connor (Jake, Jack Russell Terrier), Ann Shine (Biloxi, beige & white Whippet), Karen Morante (Onyx black Sharpei), Karoline Wallace (Steve, black Shepard & Amber, blond Cockcapoo), Arnie Zacharias (Bucca, black & white mix).
Fund Raising - Peg Connor suggested that we have an Easter and a Halloween event. Ideas were discussed, and we decided that the Easter event would be on Saturday, April 19th, and the Halloween event would be on Saturday, November 25th. Ann Shine suggested a brunch at Loews, a hotel which occasionally serves a doggie brunch for charity.
Both events will include contests (curliest tail, etc.), raffle of a doggy birthday cake made by Ann Shine, a doggy basket of cheer, we could invite PetSmart or Morris to do nail clipping or get a vet tech to help. Karen suggested that we could even try and get a peg Psychic. She will look into this. Peg Connor is coordinating these events, and will assign us all things to do in preparation at the next meeting (March 20th). Arnie agreed to call Joe White (animal behaviorist) to see if he'll join us and donate his time.
We began by asking everyone to tell us what they came to say. Most people had things to contribute. Norman Jung, a member of Seger Dog Park, was also there to give us information on how they handle aggressive dog problems. Sharon Blumberg had spoken with Philadelphia Animal Care and Control agency (PACCA) and was told that "although they would like to help, neither PACCA nor any other agency has any enforcement authority over Dog Runs. This is because are no laws regarding dogs or their owners in dog runs."
For the Halloween event, we would also have a Pumpkin Patch where owners can pose for photos that will be emailed to them and also posted on the web Sharon will contact Benjamin Pierce about helping out with this. At both events, we will of course be selling DOA memberships.
The focus of the fund raising is to resurface the dog run. That work will include having the area dug out and re-graded, leveled, and a thick bed of drainage piping, gravel, filter fabric mesh and then fresh wood chips laid down. We are waiting news from Sam Curry of Fairmount Park as to whether some of this work can be done by them.
Miscellaneous Problems - we all agreed that something has to be done about people who pull their cars up next to the park and let their dogs out unaccompanied. This usually happens in the morning. Sharon sent an email to the Police and is awaiting advice from them. We also talked about getting peoples license plate numbers so that they could be reported. She will also contact Sam Curry.
Treasurer's Report - we currently have $9,109 in the bank for the resurfacing. $5,000 is in the form of a pledge from FSRP and $1,286 is from sales.
