HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-02-12, Page 3Wednesday, February 12, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 3
Medical officer Working their tails off for pet rescue
needed
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The old model got derailed, he said, but
wouldn't elaborate why.
Asked how the current single staffer
MOH model came about, Grace said:
"That is not up for discussion:'
Former board of health chair Joe Stef-
fler, currently Warden, told the Signal Star
last year that Cameron had been dis-
missed but wouldn't comment on the
matter.
Current health board chair Bill Dowson
said a number of councillors are unaware
of the workings of the board and they
need to be brought up to speed.
In order to attract the former medical
officer of health, the county's board of
health agreed to shift staff management
responsibility to the MOH.
Even though they are county employ-
ees, staff was managed through the board
of health, Orchard explained.
"There are complications that arise in
those situations because one organization
is responsible for the employment and
culture and workplace of those employ-
ees but they are managed through a dif-
ferent board. But that was the request of
the (former) medical officer of health and
part of the hiring procese
As for the forthcoming hiring process,
Orchard said there is flexibility for the
board of health. "There are a number of
different models in the province. As long
as we adhere to what the legislation
requires, we are fine
Whether employees are managed
through the county structure or report to
the MOH are not requirements from a
provincial perspective.
The CAO said the medical piece is dif-
ferent from the administrative side but
"sometimes you can get both of those in
the same person:'
The province fimds most of the salary,
which is north of $300,000.
Costs would still be shared if the county
went with a two -person system.
In a memo to council, Orchard said
now that the Perth board of health has
declared they are not interested in amal-
gamation with the Huron board, it would
be prudent for the local board to proceed
with the MOH hiring. She noted the
administrative reporting relationship of
the county employees at the health unit is
within the decision-making authority of
council and should be discussed with the
board of health before the MOH is hired.
In the memo, Orchard recommended
council send a letter to the board of health
inviting discussion on options for future
management structure for the health unit,
and mandating that a guiding principle of
discussion be that the administrator
responsible for employee management
must have authority to manage employ-
ees. Authority was underlined in the
memo.
Orchard hopes to have the position
filled by March 31.
It was also announced at the meeting
that treasurer John Cummings has left his
position with the county.
Laura MacDuff
Lucknow Sentinel
Kathi Newell -Nicholson, founder and volunteer of Adopt -A -Pet
Rescue from Lucknow, pats the head of a shy small breed dog
named Maddie. She tells the tale of how Maddie was rescued
from a puppy mill, how she struggled to come to terms with her
anxiety and her fear of people. Even now, months later, she still
cuddles close to Nicholson, knowing she is safe.
Nicholson is the founder and volunteer of the Adopt -A -Pet Res-
cue, an initiative to give animals without a home a second chance
with a paired home and to save the lives of many animals who
otherwise wouldn't have a chance at a loving home.
"Right now, we have 43 dogs, with more coming in, and 36 cats,"
said Nicholson. "So it's quite a network and it's really everywhere.
We have foster homes from everywhere to Goderich, to London,
from Walkerton right up to Priceville and from Kincardine to
Owen Sound:'
The foster home system is a network of volunteers and caring
individuals who take in animals that are part of the program. They
foster them until an appropriate match is made between owner
and animal.
"Foster homes that know how to be really patient. You can't
force these dogs to be normal," she said. "There really is no set
time (for adoption). That's the ironic part. Event he dogs you think
will go quickly, sometimes take a little longer. Then, there are
other ones that you think will take a long time, but go quickly. We
just get an application for a hound that we had for two weeks and
a lot of hounds will take close to a year to place
Those who are interested in adopting a certain pet, go through
an application process. Each animal is kept in the care of the fos-
ter parents long enough to know the temperament and needs of
the pet. When an application is made, the process begins. Each
applicant fills out a form which is assessed. Following that, the
match is reviewed by several people which includes the foster
familywhere the dog is being fostered. The applicant does a view-
ing where if they have a dog of their own they can bring them to
interact.
"Once that is over, we ask everyone to think it over and make
sure it's not a rushed decision," she said.
Interaction between the animal and the applicant is monitored
and assessed to see ff it's a good match.
Each animal is micro chipped, veterinary assessed and treated,
vaccinated and spayed or neutered and gets vaccination boosters
if they are in their care long enough. That's why there is a fee for
adopting a pet. Each pet comes with a price tag for adoption.
"You explain that to them, you have to compare adoption fees
to what vetting costs. They say, 'that's a lot: But that's a fraction of
what the actual costs are she said.
The group gets by on bulk purchasing and the help of veterinar-
ians. They do fund-raising and spread awareness by attending
local events. The money is paid by the applicant to adopt a certain
pet is used to cover costs. Having the animals cared for by foster
homes, also helps.
When you adopt an animal and pay the fee, you're issued a tax
receipt as well.
"What I really love is when a person isn't just in love with the
picture on the site, but they're wanting to make sure the dog is the
best match for them," said Nicholson.
please
recta
DOUG MILLER
Certified General Accountant
Accounting and
• Individuals
• Businesses
86112
tax services for
LJ Farmers
• Corporations
St. Helens Line
Lucknow
519-528-2518
Laura MacDuff Lucknow Sentinel
Kathi Newell -Nicholson poses with Maddie, a rescued dog.
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