What's happening
City animal services was one area of focus in City Council's ongoing review of spending preferences in Austin's fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
The center is still limiting intake and remains without space for all animal types; the facility was at 123% capacity for kittens and cats, 129% for small dogs, and 122% for medium and large dogs as of late July. On Aug. 9, capacity for all animal types remained at "critical" levels, and intake is available for emergencies only.
The capacity issues remain even after updates such as waived adoption fees and rescue incentives. The animal center sought funding for more positions in the upcoming budget to help manage the hundreds of animals moving through the facility.
Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland said other recent strategies such as incentive payments to rescue groups had only moved four animals out of the center so far. He also noted Austin's high no-kill goal of 95% has affected how outside groups handle animal transfers from the city, compared to places with lower rates, such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso.
Mayor Kirk Watson said one area of focus to avoid ongoing constraints could be a new deal with Austin Pets Alive, which Bland said has recently been taking fewer animals from the city shelter than in the past.
As the FY 2024-25 budget is being finalized, Watson has also proposed spending about $208,000 to bring on more foster and adoption coordinators to help staff manage the flow of animals. That funding would be enough for two full-time positions and one part-time position, supporting the one full-time and one part-time staff members now handling the center's hundreds of adoptions.
During a July briefing, council member Natasha Harper-Madison had stressed that the city should find a way to most effectively spend its animal care dollars to address the growing issue.
“As we acquire more humans in this town, it appears as though we are acquiring more animals, too. And I’m just really deeply concerned about this situation being untenable; if it already is, it only gets worse from here," she said.
Council member Chito Vela asked to make sure there's enough funding for spay and neuter services to help address what he called a "very serious public safety concern" in his district and citywide. Council recently signed off on added funding for larger spay-neuter clinics in town that will take place over the coming months.
What's next
Council's budget adoption is scheduled to begin Aug. 14.
The animal center is also moving ahead with a new strategic plan with a review of its facilities and staffing. Austinites can provide feedback until mid-August.
