“Congratulations, and thank you for all your hard work,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, the shelter’s board chairperson, to Williamson County Animal Services Director Misty Valenta.
The court approved the following for the shelter:
- A $100,000 grant from Petco Love
- Veterinary services from Firehouse Animal Health Centers
- Volunteer services from the Junior League of Austin
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has a no kill status, which means it saves 90% or more of its animals, said April Peiffer, the shelter’s community programs coordinator. The shelter will use the grant to further community-based work, fund a new position, continue its partnership with Texas nonprofit Jail to Jobs and support animal wellness in the community.
Firehouse Animal Health Centers will provide the shelter with veterinary services for two hours every week, including general medical care, rabies vaccines, weekly examinations, virtual consultations, and protocol and medication oversight.
The agreement pays Firehouse Animal Health Centers a fixed fee of $600 a week if needed from Jane's Fund, the shelter's donation-based fund for sick and injured pets.
Alexis Fine, operations manager for Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, said the outside services will help assist the shelter in treating injured animals until a vacant position for an on-staff veterinarian is filled.
“If they're from our jurisdiction, we take them in. It doesn't matter how injured they are,” Fine said. “These services help us maintain and monitor those animals while they're in our care.”
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter serves most of Williamson County except for Taylor, Georgetown and portions of Austin, Fine said.
Additionally, the Junior League of Austin, a women’s leadership and volunteer organization, will partner with the shelter to provide volunteers and $420 from its general fund.
“We always need more volunteers,” Fine said. “If you have a special skill or interest and you want to volunteer for the shelter, let us know what it is because it might be something we could use.”
In its 2021-2022 fiscal year, the shelter served over 7,000 pets with almost 600 volunteers. Visit here to learn more about how to volunteer.
