Summit on the Care and Control of Animals in Davidson County
A Vision for the Future

Hermitage Precinct
3701 James Kay Lane
Hermitage, TN 37076

November 14, 2007
11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

A welcome was provided by the Honorable Karl Dean, Mayor of Nashville.

An overview was provided by William Paul, M.D., Director of Health for Nashville. Click here for the overview.

Opening remarks were made by the following panelists who are stakeholders, partners, and advocates in the arena of animal care and control.

• The Honorable Janis Sontany, State Representative for Tennessee District 53, Chairperson
• The Honorable Daron Hall, Sheriff of Nashville
• The Honorable Erik Cole, Councilmember for Nashville District 7
• The Honorable Ronal Serpas, Chief of Police of Nashville
• Ms. Emmylou Harris, Animal Advocate

Those attending included government officials, animal advocates, members of animal rescue/advocacy groups (Brew Pups, Brown Dog Foundation, People for Animals, Freedom Farm, and Bonaparte’s Retreat), animal welfare groups (Nashville Humane Association, Humane Association of Wilson County, Humane Society of the United States) and three local veterinarians.

After lunch participants were divided into four (4) work groups. The groups spent the afternoon engaging in brainstorming, dialogue, and problem solving. Strategic questions posed to lead the discussions were:

1. Five (5) years from now, Nashville is known as the model U.S. city for the care and control of animals. Please describe that model city.
2. What strategies has Nashville implemented to become the model city for the care and control of animals?
3. What next steps need to be taken to insure that Nashville implements the strategies necessary for becoming the model city for the care and control of animals?

Click here for the group responses to the aforementioned questions.

Dr. Paul summarized the day’s efforts in a brief conclusion.

Important themes included increasing spay and neuter of cats and dogs using policy as well as enhanced outreach activities, enhancing enforcement of cruelty cases, and increasing community education efforts on humane treatment of animals, spay and neuter, keeping animals from running at large, and responsible pet ownership.

Committees were formed to work on a comprehensive plan, policy/legislation, and education/media.

Ms. Emmylou Harris closed the summit with a Benediction to the Animals by Albert Sweitzer.

Anticipated follow-up meeting: January 2008

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