Austin community members are invited to weigh in on the future of city animal services.

What's happening

A resident survey about Austin's Animal Service Office launched July 17 and will be open for input through Aug. 14.

The initiative is part of ongoing changes at the animal services department and the Austin Animal Center, after a 2023 audit report detailed issues like operational shortfalls and divisions between city staff, residents and animal advocates.

Feedback collected over the next few weeks will be used to inform a new strategic plan for the Animal Services Office. The plan is one of several initiatives taken on since the audit's release last year, and will also involve:

• Upcoming community interviews and listening sessions
• Internal listening sessions
• Animal Center data reviews

“We are excited to work with the community, key stakeholders and the Animal Advisory Commission to create a strategic plan that best serves the community of Austin. This collaborative effort will produce a working plan,” Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard said in a statement.

One more thing

The animal services updates come as the Austin Animal Center has repeatedly stated it's in a "crisis" situation and called for community assistance to help with capacity issues. Amid an extended period of overcrowding, the center is also faced with maintaining Austin's 95% no-kill rate for animals taken on by the city.

Intake of new animals remains restricted, and capacity is strained with hundreds of large dogs and cats putting the shelter in position to take animals on an emergency basis only.