Electric Utility Commission August 10, 2020 Minutes The Electric Utility Commission (EUC) convened a regularly scheduled meeting via videoconference/Webex. Meeting called to order by Chair Hopkins at 10:02a.m. Also present were Commissioners Boyle, Ferchill, Reed, Trostle, Tuttle and Weldon. Commissioners Hadden and Stone joined after the consent agenda. Commissioner Wray was absent and there is one vacancy. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Approve minutes of the July 17, 2020 regular meeting. Following review of RCAs, motion (Boyle) to approve minutes; seconded (Reed) passed on a vote of 9-0, with Commissioner Wray absent and one vacancy. NEW BUSINESS – CONSENT ( ) = Target Council Meeting Date; [ ] = RCA Type Motion (Ferchill) to recommend consent agenda Items 2-8, 10 and 14; seconded (Tuttle); passed on a vote of 7-0, with Commissioners Hadden and Stone off the dais, Wray absent and one vacancy. Following discussion, Items 9, 11 and 12 were recommended on a vote of 9-0, with Commissioner Wray absent and one vacancy (motions/seconds as noted below): Item 9: Motion (Trostle) to recommend; seconded (Boyle) Item 11: Motion (Trostle) to recommend; seconded (Boyle) Item 12: Motion (Ferchill) to recommend; seconded (Weldon) Following discussion, motion (Ferchill) to recommend Item 15; seconded (Weldon); passed on a vote of 8-0-1, with Commissioner Hadden abstaining, Wray absent and one vacancy. Following discussion, no motion/action taken regarding Item 13. 2. (8/27) [Purchasing] Authorize award of a contract with Butler & Land Inc to provide leak detecting infrared cameras, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. 3. (8/27) [Purchasing] Authorize award of a multi-term contract with Airgas Inc, to provide industrial gases, pressure vessels, and pressure vessel maintenance, and inspections, for up to six years for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,633,500. 4. (8/27) [Purchasing] Authorize an amendment to an existing contract with Solar Turbines Inc D/B/A Caterpillar, for continued turbine maintenance and support, for an increase in the amount of $250,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $4,886,758. 5. (8/27) [Purchasing] Authorize negotiation and execution of a multi-term contract with Dealers Electrical Supply, to provide ION meters, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $850,000. 6. (8/27) [Purchasing] Authorize an amendment to an existing cooperative contract with Insight Public Sector, Inc. D/B/A Insight Public Sector, to provide additional Quest products and services including software maintenance and support services, for an …
MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, August 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING Monday, August 10, 2020 MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES The Municipal Civil Service Commission convened in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 10, 2020 via videoconferencing. Vice Chair Rogers called the Commission meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Melissa Rogers, Vice Chair Rebecca Eisenbrey Erika Kane Teresa Peréz-Wiseley Commissioners Absent: Pamela Lancaster, Chair Staff in Attendance: Matthew Chustz, Municipal Civil Service Administrator April Shaw, Municipal Civil Service Coordinator 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes of the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting of July 27, 2020. The minutes of the July 27, 2020 regular meeting were approved on Vice Chair Rogers’ motion, Commissioner Eisenbrey’s second, on a vote of 4-0. 2. HEARING a. Conduct a hearing on the appeal filed by Aaron Scott regarding their Discharge from the Building Services Department. A hearing was conducted on the appeal filed by Aaron Scott regarding their Discharge from the Building Services Department. b. Deliberate in open or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), regarding the appeal of Aaron Scott regarding their Discharge from the Building Services Department. 1 MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, August 10, 2020 Vice Chair Rogers recessed the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to go into closed session at 11:20 a.m. The Commission deliberated in closed session on the appeal filed by Aaron Scott regarding their Discharge from the Building Services Department. Closed session ended and Vice Chair Rogers called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting back to order at 11:53 a.m. c. Possible action and decision regarding the appeal of Aaron Scott regarding their Discharge from the Building Services Department. The motion to deny Aaron Scott’s appeal and uphold the decision made by the City of Austin in the Discharge of Aaron Scott was approved on Commissioner Peréz- Wiseley’s motion, Commissioner Kane’s second, on a vote of 4-0. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding nomination and recommendation of Chair of the Commission. Vice Chair Rogers proposed postponing this item to the next meeting of the Commission. Hearing no objections, the item was postponed. b. Discussion and possible action regarding election of a Vice-Chair of the Municipal Civil Service Commission. Vice Chair Rogers proposed postponing this item to the next meeting of the Commission. Hearing no objections, the item was …
CITY COUNCIL PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Community Interest Announcement George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center Facility Expansion Plan (CarverMuseumATX) Virtual Community Meeting #1 This first virtual community meeting will provide an opportunity for the community to meet the planning team, learn about the site, and see what community input has been received so far. Participants will be asked for general feedback on the proposed planning goals to make sure they are in alignment with community comments received. https://zoom.us/j/97688902565?pwd=OTY3T0I1WkxYNXFpdCtucmo5Y3I0QT09 Saturday, August 8, 2020, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Via Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 976 8890 2565 Passcode: 964566 One tap mobile: +13462487799,,97688902565#,,,,,,0#,,964566# US (Houston) A quorum of the City Council or Parks and Recreation Board may be in attendance but no business will be conducted. Board Liaison Sammi Curless 512-974-6716
Special Meeting of the Urban Transportation Commission Friday August 7, 2020 Meeting to be held with physical distancing modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, August 6 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 7, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission meeting, residents must call or email the board liaison at (512) 974 2358 or emily.smith@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Thursday, August 6 and provide the following information: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral regarding the item, and a telephone number or email address. Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to emily.smith@austintexas.gov by noon on Thursday, August 6. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting at ATXN.tv URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (UTC) FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2020 – 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 10, 2020 MEETING A. Project Connect transit plan funding and governance – Discussion and Possible Action B. Active transportation and safety infrastructure funding – Discussion and Possible Action Cosponsors: Commissioners Somers and Runas Cosponsors: Commissioners Champion and Alvarado 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Downtown Commission D. Pedestrian Advisory Council B. Joint Sustainability Commission E. City Council Mobility Committee C. Bicycle Advisory Council F. Project Connect Advisory Network 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: These topics will NOT be discussed by the commission as part of this agenda A. Austin Community Climate Plan update (Staff; TBD) ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give …
Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, August 7, 2020 Special Meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission Friday, August 7, 3 p.m., 2020 Animal Advisory Commission to be held August 7 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by noon, Thursday, August 6. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov, phone 512-978-0565, no later than noon, August 6. Email works best and most efficiently. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, phone number, and an email address. • Once a request to speak has been emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Board Liaison, Belinda Hare, Austin Animal Services, at 512-978-0565, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 3 to 4:30 P.M., 2020 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Lisa Mitchell, Vice Chair Edward Flores Monica Frenden Andrea Schwartz Jo Anne Norton Ryan Clinton AGENDA Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, August 7, 2020 CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: David Lundstedt, Chair Katie Jarl Palmer Neuhaus Craig Nazor Dr. Jon Brandes Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian District 4 Vacant CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission’s July 6, …
March 2020 March 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • The live outcome rate for March was 96.5 percent. • A total of 382 animals were adopted (289 dogs, 85 cats, two birds and six small pets). • A total of 173 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). Animal Services News Animal Protection month of March. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 67 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 27 fencing assistance applications, implanted eight microchips and impounded 132 injured animals. • A total of 119 animals were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 340 rabies exposure reports and submitted 113 specimens for rabies testing. Three bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 31 coyote-related activities: 4 encounters o 16 sightings o o 4 wild sick reports of mange o 2 wild injured o 2 incidents o 1 wild speak o 1 community coyote presentation o 1 suspected bite to pet (later found out the wound was caused by a skin problem, not a bite) injuries. • Out of 31 coyote related reports, 22 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets were a factor in all activities • o One incident involved a coyote injuring an off-leash pet in the greenbelt. Pet had minor o One incident involved a coyote displaying flushing and defensive behavior with a large dog. The owner of the dog stated it is reactive to other animals. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in all verified activities o Two encounters involved a coyote that was seen chasing a cat o One encounter involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with a dog and citizen o One encounter involved a coyote with mange that did not respond to hazing until assertive techniques were implemented March 2020 Animal Services Report Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs • A total of 306 volunteers donated 3,385 service hours. • AAC closed to the public and volunteers on March 16. • Due to COVID-19, a plea for help was sent out to find foster homes for animals in the shelter because of the uncertainty of what the next few weeks would look like. • A total of 400 families provided foster care, a 200 percent increase over last month, and a total of 104 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • There are 1487 …
April 2020 April 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • The live outcome rate for April was 95.1 percent. • A total of 186 animals were adopted (132 dogs, 53 cats and one bird). • A total of 74 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). Animal Services News Animal Protection month of April. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 49 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 48 fencing assistance applications, implanted seven microchips and impounded 96 injured animals. • A total of 54 animals were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 258 rabies exposure reports and submitted 57 specimens for rabies testing. Seven bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 17 coyote-related activities: o 5 sightings o 5 wild sick reports of mange o 3 incidents o 2 encounters o 1 wild injured o 1 observation • Out of 17 coyote related reports, 10 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets were a factor in all activities • o Two incidents involved a coyote suspected of killing an unattended cat. o One incident involve a coyote injuring a dog in a fenced backyard. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in all verified activities o Two encounters involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with a dog and citizen. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs • A total of 60 volunteers donated 1,957.58 hours, primarily as fosters, in April. April 2020 Animal Services Report from foster care. • A total of 420 families provided foster care and a total of 186 animals were adopted directly • There are 1758 approved fosters in GivePulse, and 1548 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 394 animals in 329 different foster homes. • 68 live outcomes were attributed to 14 AAC partners: o 28 cats o 39 dogs o 1 ferret Veterinary Services shelter grounds. • Shelter veterinarians were medically responsible for 587 animals; 495 in foster care and 92 on • Veterinarians addressed 95 emergency cases, performed 12 orthopedic surgeries and 18 other specialty surgeries including enucleations, amputations, mass removals, hernia repair, wound repairs and dentals. A total of 478 spay/neuter surgeries were performed and 765 vet exams.
Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, August 7, 2020 Special Meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission Friday, August 7, 3 p.m., 2020 Animal Advisory Commission to be held August 7 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by noon, Thursday, August 6. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov, phone 512-978-0565, no later than noon, August 6. Email works best and most efficiently. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, phone number, and an email address. • Once a request to speak has been emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Board Liaison, Belinda Hare, Austin Animal Services, at 512-978-0565, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 3 to 4:30 P.M., 2020 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Lisa Mitchell, Vice Chair Edward Flores Monica Frenden Andrea Schwartz Jo Anne Norton Ryan Clinton REVISED AGENDA Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, August 7, 2020 CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: David Lundstedt, Chair Katie Jarl Palmer Neuhaus Craig Nazor Dr. Jon Brandes Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian District 4 Vacant CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission’s July …
February 2020 February 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News Animal Protection • The live outcome rate for February was 97.5 percent. • A total of 609 animals were adopted (412 dogs, 187 cats and 10 small pets). • A total of 197 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 96 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 20 fencing assistance applications, implanted 14 microchips and month of February. impounded 98 injured animals. • A total of 39 animals were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 226 rabies exposure reports and submitted 38 specimens for rabies testing. Two bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 109 coyote-related activities: o 61 sightings o 33 wild sick reports o 5 incidents 3 reports involved pets 2 reports involved livestock o 4 encounters o 3 observations o 1 wild speak report o 1 coyote presentation o 1 wild roam (sighting) near a school • Out of 109 coyote related reports, 70 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all five activities • o Two incidents involved two coyotes that injured off-leash pets in the greenbelt. Both dogs survived with minor injuries. o Two incidents involved a single coyote entering a yard and leaving with a chicken. o One incident involved a coyote approaching a cat in a backyard. Wildlife officer was unable to reach citizen to determine if it was a pet or stray. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in three of the four verified activities o Three encounters involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with a dog and citizen. February 2020 Animal Services Report o One encounter involved a coyote with mange that approached a citizen without a dog, but left when it was hazed. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs • A total of 432 volunteers donated 5,223 service hours; 19 groups of volunteers donated 444 hours with their “Giving Group” to the Center; 16 community service restitution volunteers contributed 175 hours toward animal care tasks. • Volunteer Coordinators hosted six New Volunteer Orientations, introducing 132 individuals to our organization and volunteer opportunities. from foster care. • A total of 200 families provided foster care, and a total of 78 animals were adopted directly • There are 806 approved …
May 2020 May 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • The live outcome rate for May was 94.9 percent. • A total of 189 animals were adopted (141 dogs, 46 cats, one bird and one small pet). • A total of 81 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). Animal Services News Animal Protection month of May. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 47 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 30 fencing assistance applications, implanted two microchips and impounded 241 injured animals and more than half of those were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 231 rabies exposure reports and submitted 33 specimens for rabies testing. Three bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 44 coyote-related activities: o 21 sightings o 5 incidents o 5 wild sick reports of mange o 5 wild injured o 3 encounters o 3 wild speak o 1 observation o 1 investigate exposure puncture wound. No confirmed incident- dog escaped yard and came back with small • Out of 44 coyote related reports, 29 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all activities • o Two incidents involved a coyote on-camera taking an unattended cat o One incident involved a coyote injuring an off leash dog in a greenbelt o One incident involved a coyote that injured a cat in a front yard o One incident involved a coyote that took chickens from a backyard • Encounters: Pets were a factor in all activities o All encounters involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with dog and citizen. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs May 2020 Animal Services Report from foster care. • A total of 57 volunteers donated 1,410 hours, primarily as fosters, in May. • A total of 368 families provided foster care and a total of 155 animals were adopted directly • There are 1860 approved fosters in GivePulse, and 257 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 367 animals in 285 different foster homes. • 108 live outcomes were attributed to 14 AAC partners: o 57 cats o 51 dogs o 1 ferret Veterinary Services shelter grounds. • Shelter veterinarians were medically responsible for 587 animals; 495 in foster care and 92 on • Veterinarians addressed 95 emergency cases, performed 12 orthopedic surgeries and 18 other specialty …
Special Meeting of the “Economic Prosperity Commission” August 7, 2020 of meeting Economic Prosperity Commission to be held August 7th 2020 at 10 AM with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Day before the scheduled meeting, August 6, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 7,2020 Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Michelle Clemons at Michelle.Clemons@austintexas.gov / 512-974-2713 or Nydia Castillo at Nydia.Castillo@austintexas.gov / 512-974-6452 no later than noon, August 6, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Michelle.Clemons@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live if this meeting is broadcast live Economic Prosperity Commission August 7, 2020, at 10 am VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amy Noel, Chair – District 7 Holt Lackey, Vice Chair – District 10 Commissioners: Rachel Green- Mayor’s Appointee, Larry Anazia - District 1; Kirsha Haverlah- District 2, Alexis Taylor -District 3, Ivanna Neri- District 4, Preston Tom- District 5, Michael Ybarra- District 6, Nathan Ryan- District 8. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May and June 2020 Meetings 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Action and Discussion on COVID-19 City of Austin Relief Programs from Council Agenda Items: b. Small Business: Resolution from March 26, 2020 Agenda Item 88 authorizing the creation of a temporary Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program to small businesses. c. Creatives: Resolution from 4/9/2020 Agenda Item 86 related to the use of the Live Music Fund for Emergency Assistance grants for musicians. d. Paycheck …
The new model of animal sheltering MYTHS vs FACTS Myth Fact Sick and injured dogs and cats will be turned out on the streets. All incoming pets or calls about pets will be given a needs assessment to determine the pathway that they need: shelter, foster or remain in the home and receive care. People in underserved communities within Austin will be discriminated against and unfairly left behind with this model. Stray, healthy pets will be turned away from the shelter. The animal welfare industry (both publicly and privately funded) has systems that have been known to discriminate against marginalized people. The current system unfairly leaves people without the same means as the richest parts of cities out of the reclaim, foster and adoption process as it stands. One of the primary objectives of this new model, and one of the reasons for its creation, is to be inclusive and welcoming of every person who lives in Austin. We know pets are many times more likely to find their owners if they stay in the neighborhood. People who find a lost pet will be given support to find the owner if they’re willing. If they can’t find the owner or aren’t able to hold the pet, the shelter will take in the lost pet and triage them based on their needs. Finders are required to hold an animal they find and are responsible for finding the owner themselves. The local shelter will take the animal if the finder isn’t willing or able to find the owner on their own. The new model will add resources and services in neighborhoods to help people and their pets. Lost pets are more likely to get back home if kept in the area they were found. Lost pets won’t be at the shelter so the owner can’t find them. 21st Century technology allows us to work more efficiently and not solely rely on in-person interactions. The system has to be reimagined and rebuilt to make it virtually impossible for an owner not to find their pet, regardless of where it is temporarily housed. Austin Pets Alive! and a few other executives are working in a silo and changing the whole animal sheltering system by themselves. More shelter industry organizations are working together than ever before to build systemic change. Leadership from over 30 municipal shelters nationally and their communities, as well as industry leaders …
THE HASS MODEL The new journey for stray pets FINDING A STRAY ANIMAL A direct shelter hotline would be created where residents are connected to a trained operator who will get you DISTRICT SPECIFIC assistance with trapping, triage, microchip scanning, and transport. Intake testing, vaccinations, and behavior assessments will be provided by DISTRICT SPECIFIC stations throughout Central Texas. TRAPRS Austin Lost and Found Pawboost EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY The vast network of fosters, volunteers, and adopters will be given resources, training, and support for short/long term fostering. Tele - health services will be available for pet owners considering surrender, foster caregivers and finders of pets who may be sick or injured. Residents can reach the organization quickly and easily using remote technologies like text, phone and web chats. StayatHomeandFoster.org Central Texas Food Bank Maddie's University FearFreeHappyHomes.com Free Spay/Neuter clinics throughout Central Texas VIRTUAL ADOPTIONS Getting animals healthy and into forever homes is already happening online! Using the latest technological tools, marketing, foster placement teams, and matchmaking services will allow for every animal to go into a home that they deserve. EMERGENCY MEDICAL NEEDS Pregnant, injured, neonatal, wounded, and senior animals will be getting direct intake priority. Collaboration. Solutions. Now.
A Proposal to Make Austin Animal Services (even) Better for People and Pets Ellen Jefferson, DVM Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!/American Pets Alive! Executive Leadership Team, Human Animal Support Services Project Great News Coming Out of Shelters In March, shelters all over the country, even those that historically never had a foster program, saw the benefit of massive numbers of fosters coming forward to take pets home in an effort to prevent pets from being stuck in shelters in case of govt shutdowns or staff illness. This was extremely eye opening because shelters are entrenched in the “not enough homes” mindset. Lifesaving rates have never been higher. 80,000 foster homes signed up through Greater Good, only 30,000 were used In May, Greater Good did a national push to count foster homes that still wanted a shelter pet (this is more than 30 days after the shelters already emptied out so doesn’t count that initial rush of homes that were already full). Only a fraction were used which means that there is a much larger demand than shelters have ever realized for homes willing to house and help animals. COVID-19 Caused Disruption • The human virus made it impossible to care for animals en masse in a building • Shelter systems pivoted to sustain lifesaving and keep people and pets safe • This pivot fueled a nationwide re-envisioning for how shelters operate image source: unschool.co Because government funded shelters all over the country were able to take a breath from the rat race of intake, kenneling, outcomes due to empty kennels, discussions started about how the entire system needed to be overhauled to more accurately reflect what people want as exemplified by the outpouring of support to keep pets out of shelters. The history of animal sheltering in Austin ● 1900 - emergency of the dog pound model ● Pets are taken from their homes and neighborhoods, rounded up, and reclaimed or killed ● Our movement is built on this old foundation The “taking a breath” also allowed the industry to reflect on how we got here into this system that is so fundamentally broken. In doing research on Austin (which turns out is typical of almost every city), we found that the entire shelter system was created to deal with the pandemic of Rabies. Rabies caused huge amounts of livestock losses, massive public fear of death from it (100% fatal) …
