|
Thank everyone for your hard work over the last few months during the CIV outbreak. As a result of your hardwork and dedication, we are taking steps to move away from the clean break nad back to normal shelter operations! You can watch the meeting of the announcement here or see the summary below.
As most of you already know, all of the testing we did in our exposed area came back negative for CIV and Distemper. Shout out to medical for pulling over 100 PCRs to gather these results! This means that we’re able to proceed with the next step of dismantling the Clean Break.
All dogs not currently under treatment or showing signs of illness are considered part of our regular animal population and no longer need to be separated in exposed/unexposed populations. This means any available kennel (except ID) may be used to house an incoming dog. There are still some dogs showing URI symptoms in rooms 6, 7, NMoms, and LFSD, and they will continue to be treated in place. The plan is for ID to become our only contagious isolation room, but as it is currently housing recovered dogs, it will take some time to move those dogs out. In the meantime, dogs currently showing symptoms of illness cannot leave their kennel for walks or meet and greets, regardless of which room they are in. All non-symptomatic dogs may go out to their appropriate yards (ID, NMoms, and LFSD may use the PCD yard).
We will no longer be moving dogs immediately when URI symptoms are observed. Instead, you will place an m-eval and select respiratory as the visit reason. We will wait for the medical team to complete the m-eval and place a move-out for the dog before moving them into ID. For the time being, all dogs will still receive a PCR at the time they are moving in ID so that we’re able to respond quickly if CIV does reenter the building.
The other major change starting tomorrow is that surgery will no longer be alternating days. We will continue to only do surgery for animals with outcomes.
Thank you all, and please let a manager know if you have any questions!
 |
|
The North Cat Room and relocated Kitten Nursery is officially open! Thanks to all staff who assisted moving cats and kittens to their new locations. All kittens under the age of 6 months and nursing moms will be located in the North Cat Room, along with the Kitten Nursery. All older cats will be housed in the south cat room. |
 Last week, CustomInsight, our survey partner, identified a technical issue regarding the Progress Check. The system was not allowing employees who did not participate in the 2022 Engagement Survey to complete the Progress Check.
However, the issue has been resolved and the UPDATED Progress Check link is now active for anyone that had an issue. The link is:
https://www.custominsight.com/client/dallas/
Due to recent technical difficulties, this Progress Check completion date is extended and will now be opened until Friday, July 14 at 5pm.
As a reminder, your responses are completely anonymous.
 NEW LINK BELOW!
The last form was deleted, so we need some new photos submitted of staff favorites! People love seeing us intereact with the pets at the shelter - and your picture could be the reason a pet finds a forever home!
FILL OUT THIS FORM WITH YOUR STAFF FAVORITE!
This can be a staff favorite dog, or a long-stay cat!
We’re excited to announce the coming of the 2023 Benefits and Wellness Expo happening July 27, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at City Hall Plaza!
Your total health and well-being is one of the City’s top priorities! Join us to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle in a fun and interactive way. More details to come!
 |
|
Juan Preciado is joining Dallas Animals Services as the new Budget Analyst. Prior to that he served as a Budget Analyst for the City of Austin. He is a graduate of SMU and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He also served 5 years active duty in the U.S. Navy and still serves as an active reservist in Fort Worth as a Naval Intelligence Officer. In his free time, Juan enjoys taking his two fur babies Penny and Archie on long walks along the Katy Trail with his beautiful wife Brenda.
|
 |
|
Summer Dolder joined us as the new Assistant General Manager in May. Prior to DAS, Summer was the Director of Pet Pantry at Cuddly, and directed operations for a variety of animal welfare organizations in Philadelphia, Hawaii, and New York. |
Is there a new member of the DAS team you would like to announce? Email DASPIO@dallas.gov with a short bio and photo.
 |
|
DAS Business Manager Loren Wilson and assistant Director Paul Ramon were able to take part in a conference focused on addressing equitability in fines and fees in city departments. As part of a NLC’s national cohort, we are working across departments to understand the implications of fines & fees across departments. This helps us move the mountain we call our Big Audacious Goals. |
Want to help work on projects to build camaraderie and have some fun with your coworkers? Join the Employee Appreciation Group and help us make DAS an even better place to work. Email jillian.appelbaum@dallas.gov if interested!
To earn your $500, all active employees enrolled in a City of Dallas medical plan should complete either a virtual checkup at home (Catapult Health) or an annual physical exam, including bloodwork, at your physician's office.
Two Ways to Earn the $500 Wellness Incentive
- Request your Catapult Health Virtual Checkup between October 3, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
- The virtual checkup consists of a biometric screening (bloodwork) and an annual physical exam from home.
- Visit www.virtualcheckup.com/cod to register for a Virtual Checkup home kit. You will receive further information about the Virtual Checkup home kit in your inbox.
- Complete your home kit within 7 days of receipt.
- Once you complete and submit the home kit, you will receive a notification to book a virtual appointment with a Nurse Practitioner to review your kit results in more details and ask health questions. Appointment with the Nurse Practitioner must be completed by August 31, 2023.
-
Please contact Catapult regarding your kit at support@virtualcheckup.com or 855.509.1211.
- Visit your Primary Care Physician (PCP) for an annual physical exam with blood work between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023.
- If you have already visited your PCP since September 1, 2022:
- No further action is needed if your visit included blood work. Your visit will be verified automatically.
- If your visit did not include blood work, you can complete a Virtual Checkup or schedule blood work screening with your PCP before the August 31, 2023 deadline.
|
