Current situation
The AAC, which has contended with ongoing intake and capacity challenges through recent years, was housing 319 cats and 408 dogs as of May 24—well above standard intake benchmarks and labeled by the shelter as emergency levels.
The animal center saw an increase of scores of animals in the past few weeks; Garza said the AAC had been housing 568 cats and dogs as of early May. Even then, the shelter was at strained capacity amid a prolonged period of restricted intake for new arrivals.
Despite the shelter's limitations on taking in new arrivals, Garza said Austinites were still lined up outside the facility on May 20 seeking animal intake. In addition to residents' animals, the AAC also took on 40 cats seized by the Travis County Constable’s Office as well as an influx of smaller animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits and roosters, taking up more kennel space.
The details
In response, the AAC has cut its intake hours to 11 a.m.-1 p.m. daily, with exceptions only for animals showing "extreme signs of distress," small litters needing special care or injured animals, Garza said.
"As we limit intake even further and continue working to increase outcomes, our goal is to reopen once all the dogs in boarding have returned to the shelter and animals are safely housed in permanent kennels," Garza said in a May 23 memo to city officials.
Animal center leaders have attributed the extended period of capacity issues to several factors and noted the local trend is one being experienced by shelters nationwide. Garza also noted that, after a series of pleas to the Austin community for relief, calls for adoption are seeing diminished results.
He said the AAC continues to try to avoid euthanizing animals, a process outlined in city code, to make space and maintain Austin's no-kill status. However, space and resources remain strained.
"[The Animal Services Office] is doing everything to avoid euthanizing any animal that is not irremediably suffering or has inflicted a significant injury to a human. However, capacity is beyond the crisis point," Garza said.
The Animal Services Office continues to share adoption information on social media and attend community events. Beyond intake and adoptions, the AAC also offers other resources and information for pet owners.
