Updated on June 21 at 2:12 p.m. to reflect the shelter's euthanization policy
Pflugerville spokeswoman Terri Toledo said the shelter has not euthanized any long stay animals because of length of stay or lack of space in approximately six years, and since then, the shelter only euthanized animals due to severe, untreatable health issues or safety reasons.
Euthanasia for behavior or space reasons must be approved by the city manager, per shelter policy.
"Un-weaned (if foster care unavailable and are suffering), critically ill, or seriously injured domestic animals may be euthanized prior to conclusion of the stray holding period to prevent any additional suffering (only with the recommendation of the supervisor)," the policy reads.
When the shelter begins to run out of space, it reaches out to foster and rescue groups and promotes low cost or free adoptions.
Original story posted June 14 at 1:01 p.m.
In December 2016, Pflugerville Animal Shelter was on average seeing dogs stay for half a year before being adopted. Eight dogs stayed more than a year at the shelter.
Cats stayed an average of 188 days, and two cats were held longer than a year. On December 1, 2016, the shelter had 100 animals in inventory, including 78 on site with the rest being fostered in individual homes. This was considered the slow season.
Yet, six months later, the shelter saw a major shift.
At Tuesday night's Pflugerville City Council meeting, the shelter reported the length of a dog's stay had decreased by 92 percent, from 180 days to 14 on average. The average cat's stay had decreased by just under 82 percent. In what is considered peak season by shelter officials, the shelter only had 76 animals in inventory, with 42 actually on site.
The longest stay for a dog was 29 days and 2.5 months for a cat before being adopted.
Animal Shelter Director Rhonda McLendon said these changes came from some major adjustments the shelter made in customer service and adoption policies.
After December 2016, she said the shelter simplified its adoption process, which had previously been bogged down for a long period of time, often causing those waiting to go elsewhere for adoption.
It also held major adoption events, getting high visibility for pets in need of adoption and focused on customer service, McLendon said.
As a result, she said animals have been adopted more quickly and the length of stay has dropped.
The shelter hopes to continue with this progress in the future and is working with council to continue establishing best practices, McLendon said.