REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jules Maron, Chair, D3 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddleston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on June 8, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding the microchip/vaccine clinic, July 4th runaway pet numbers and 311 policies regarding deceased animals . Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director , Austin Animal Services. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding Petco Love Platform and the exploration of pet reunification platforms. Presentation by Misty Valenta, Animal Services Director, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Discussion and presentation regarding New World Screwworm Crisis. Presentation by Dr. Debbie Elliot, Program Manager, Veterinary Services. Discussion clarifying previous statement in bylaws regarding No Kill Subcommittee. Discuss the Annual Internal Review Report for Animal Advisory Commission. Change in Chair for No Kill Subcommittee. 5. 6. 7. 8. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. 10. Creation of a working group exploring compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Chapter 8-23 Creation of a working group to study the emergency intake procedures at Austin Animal Services. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JUNE 8, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Nilson called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners Absent: Sarah Huddleston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Support Good Fix Rebecca Arizmendi – No Kill Initiatives Shelly Leibham – Spay Neuter and Over Crowding Suzie Chase – Kudos to Monica Dangler Shawna Simpson – Obstructions to Pet Reunions 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on May 11, 2026. The minutes of the May 11th regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission as amended by Commissioner Dulzaides during the June 8th meeting were approved on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Chair Nilson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Huddelston was absent. The amendment was to insert “Commissioner Dulzaides abstained” to item 11. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Animal Services Donation Fund. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services, Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services, and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Maron as chair of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved on Commissioner Loignon’s motion, Commissioner Maron’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Norton, and Parliamentarian Daniel abstained. Commissioner Huddleston was absent. The motion to approve Chair Nilson as chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Chair Nilson’s second on a 3-2 vote. Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Norton, and Parliamentarian Daniel voted aye. Commissioners …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION NO KILL SUBCOMMITTEE MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026, AT 4:00PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2nd STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the No Kill Subcommittee may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov, 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Whitney Holt, D5, Chair Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Erin Van Landingham, D1 The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Discussion of definition of no kill thresholds. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve an Annual Schedule for the No Kill Subcommittee. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Nekaybaw Watson at Austin City Clerk’s Office Department, at 512-974-2562 or nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the No Kill Subcommittee please contact Nekaybaw Watson at 512-974- 2562 or nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov.
No Kill Shelter Committee Annual Schedule Option 1 Every other month Possible Location: Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Possible Time: 4:30-5:30pm Monday, May 11, 2026 Monday, July 13, 2026 Monday, September 14, 2026 Monday, November 9, 2026 No Kill Shelter Committee Annual Schedule Option 2 Once a quarter Possible Location: Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Possible Time: 4:30-5:30pm Monday, June 8, 2026 Monday, September 14, 2026 Monday, December 14, 2026
Updates, Reports and Briefings Updates, Reports and Briefings Austin Animal Services | July 13, 2026 Updates and Accomplishments June 2026 Monica Dangler, Director Free Vaccine/Microchip Drive-Through Clinic On June 10, Animal Services teamed up with Austin Humane Society to host a free vaccine clinic for companion animals. The event took place on an Animal Services training day so all staff except for a skeleton crew were active participants in making the event run smoothly. Staff assisted residents with administration of vaccines/microchips, registration, data entry, tag engraving, etc. 197 dogs, 76 cats, 27 kittens, and 21 puppies received the free services. Each animal received whatever service they needed and for which they were eligible. Zip codes from across the Austin area were quite evenly distributed among participating residents. 78753 and 78653 both had the highest number of participants at 14 residents with their respective number of companion animals. 3 Bissell Pet Foundation The Bissell Pet Foundation has generously offered a supply of NexGard to protect sheltered cats from fleas, ticks, heartworm, and other intestinal worms. This gift will be shared with Austin Humane Society for their sheltered cat population. A date for this gift has not been confirmed at this time. Additional Emancipet Surgery Day Additional funding was provided to Emancipet to add another spay/neuter surgery day for community owned animals! 4 y Outcomes Pathways This policy establishes a framework for achieving positive, timely, and humane outcomes for animals in our care. Primary positive outcome pathways include Return-to- Owner (RTO), Adoption, Foster Care, and Transfer to Placement Partners. Customer Experience Survey Providing exceptional service to our community is at the heart of everything we do. Every interaction we have with our customers is an opportunity to build trust, demonstrate compassion, and make a positive difference. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we've launched our new Customer Experience Survey. Return to Owner Procedure This procedure is based on evidence-based shelter practices and establishes consistent, humane, efficient processes for returning lost animals to their owners as quickly as possible. The benefits? Reduction in the length of stay and stress on animals and increased community trust. 5 2024 2025 2026 25 20 15 14 14 11 10 11 9 9 25 23 Stray Dog Intake July 5 – Jul 11 (2024- 2026) An overview of dogs impounded as strays between July 5 and July 11 from the past three years. Dashed lines …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – June2024-2026 June 2026 Intake June2025 Intake June2024 Intake June 2026 Adoption June2025 Adoptions June2024 Adoptions June 2026 RTOs June2025 RTOs June2024 RTOs June 2026 Animal Euthanized June2025 Animals Euthanized June2024 Animals Euthanized June 2026 Live Release Rate June2025 Total Live Release Rate June2024 Total Live Release Rate June 2026 Vaccinations – 2718 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. June2025 Vaccinations - 2404 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. June2024 Animal Vaccinations June 2026 – Spay/Neuter at AAC June2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC June2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC June 2026 Deaths in Care \ June2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster June2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster June 2026 Animals Transferred (includes 72 cats that went through SNR) June2025 Animals Transferred (includes 57 cats that went through SNR : June2024 Animals Transferred June 2026 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing June2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing June2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing June 2026 SNR Program – As noted above, 72 cats went through SNR June2025 SNR Program – As noted above, 57 cats went through SNR June2024 SNR Program June 2026 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO June2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO June2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
and What is Petco Love Lost Petco Love Lost is a free national, central database for lost and found pets. Petco Love Lost uses photo-matching technology to identify possible matches from both other users who have found a pet, as well as over 3,300 shelter partners across the nation. Users simply upload a photo and begin searching thousands of pet listings, create easily sharable pet alerts (optimized for Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor and email) and download printable posters. How does a citizen use Petco Love Lost when they find a lost pet or when their pet is lost? How does a WCRAS use Petco Love Lost? Dog Outgoing Percentages Dogs19-2020-2121-2222-2323-2424-25Adopted54.61%48.55%58.10%55.45%62.11%45.71%Reclaim25.47%26.12%24.46%22.71%22.38%21.90%Transfer17.50%23.40%16.10%20.17%13.39%30.10%Died0.53%0.50%0.53%0.79%1.06%0.71%Euthanasia1.80%1.40%0.81%0.82%0.99%1.30% Services Impact on Intake 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 Intake Population Served (50%) Petco Love Lost Increases our relationship with the community Decreases unnecessary intake Decreases length of stay Increases our ability to find matches Gives families missing their pet a tool and resources
Resource Guide New World Screwworm (NWS) 06-18-2026 UPDATE New World Screwworm Fact Sheet Info for Swine Producers Learn about NWS biology, life cycle, signs of infestation, affected animals, economic impacts, prevention methods, treatment options, and reporting procedures. Learn about the affect on swine operations, including signs of infestation, animal health, economic risks, prevention, treatment options, and biosecurity practices to help reduce the threat to pork production. Livestock Management Considerations Companion Animal Care Overview of livestock practices, including managing wounds, animal handling, seasonal considerations, surveillance, and treatment options. Learn what influence exposure and control efforts. Learn how NWS affects dogs, cats, and other companion animals, including signs of infestation, prevention, wound care, treatment options, and steps to protect animal health. Wildlife Monitoring and Management Protecting Human Health Examine the impact on wildlife, including affected species, surveillance, monitoring challenges, reporting, and the importance of coordination among landowners, wildlife professionals, and animal health officials. Learn how NWS can affect people, including risk factors, signs of infestation, prevention measures, treatment options, and steps to protect human health while caring for animals or treating wounds. Guide developed by Sara Allen, Phoenix Rogers, and Zach Schaefer. Extension Specialists, Disaster Assessment & Recovery Unit, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. Producer Action Guide New World Screwworm (NWS) 06-18-2026 UPDATE WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT NWS REPORTING NWS See how suspected NWS cases are identified, sampled, reported, and managed by animal health officials and producers. Inspect Collect Learn how to safely collect, preserve, and submit suspected NWS samples for laboratory identification. Protect Find FDA guidance on approved animal drugs, emergency use options, and available treatments for NWS in affected species. Early detection and reporting is critical. Report all suspected and confirmed cases of NWS immediately. TAHC RESTRICTION ZONE GUIDANCE Up-to-date information from Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) on current Texas Counties within NWS zones, link to the zone map, and movement restrictions. This factsheet provides overview of livestock movement requirements in Texas areas affected by NWS, including inspection, treatment, permitting, and documentation. APHIS CONFIRMED DETECTIONS View the latest confirmed animal and wild fly NWS detections in the U.S. Track outbreak locations, surveillance and response information from USDA APHIS. Guide developed by Sara Allen, Phoenix Rogers, and Zach Schaefer. Extension Specialists, Disaster Assessment & Recovery Unit, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Do not trap or watch …
New World Screwworm NWS Data and images from TAHC, USDA, TVMA Animal Advisory Commission July 13, 2026 Dr. Debbie Elliott Cochliomyia hominivorax ➢The larvae of the fly are obligate parasites that only infest living tissue of warm- blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, humans and birds (rarely), causing a condition known as myiasis ➢ • Hominivorax = “man” eater ➢• Often fatal to the infested animal Larvae ❖Screwworm refers to the screw-like shape of the larvae and the way the larva burrows into the flesh. ❖Larvae are parasitic consuming living flesh for 5-7 days then fall off the host to pupate in the ground. ❖This is the stage that we may see them in the wounds of living animals. ❖Once the animal is deceased, the larvae detect the cooler body temperature and will fall off the host and pupate on the ground, despite the age of the larvae. TAHC Lifecycle What We May See • Maggots or egg clusters in wounds of live animals • Requires notification of DVM immediately. (delay in treatment is fatal) • Treatment options: FDA Approved: Capstar, NexGard Combo (cats), Nexgard, Credelio. • Isoxazolines – Simparica, Bravecto (Expulsion and larvicidal) • Immediate wound management and removal of larvae Reportable • Domestic Animals - reportable disease to the TX Animal Health Commission by the veterinarians • Wildlife reporting and collection is to the TX Parks & Wildlife Dept biologist Current Location and Spread Since July 12 Current Outbreak Mexico Dogs 0.002% Cats 0.000052 % Thank you! Dr. Debbie Elliott Austin Animal Services Manager Veterinary Services
Annual Internal Review 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2026 Name of Board or Commission Animal Advisory Commission Has the board or commission's actions throughout the year complied with City Council directives and bylaws? Yes. If No, please explain N/A. How many recommendations did your board or commission approve? The Commission approved 10 recommendations during the July 2025 through June 2026 review period. Please list the recommendation numbers. 20250714-010 20250811-007 20251013-008 20260309-004 20260309-005 20260309-006 20260309-007 20260413-006 20260511-009 20260608-008 Which recommendations are closely aligned to the organization's core mission and why? All recommendations are aligned with the Commission’s core mission to advise City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court on animal shelter compliance, animal welfare policies, budget priorities, collaboration, communication within the animal welfare community, and the development of animal welfare programs. The most directly aligned recommendations are those addressing shelter operations, humane care, live outcome support, staffing, enrichment, adoption access, pet retention, community cats, breed labeling, and animal welfare policy: 20250714-010, 20250811-007, 20260309-004, 20260309-005, 20260309-006, 20260309-007, 20260413-006, 20260511-009, and 20260608- 008. Which recommendations are adjacent to the organization's core mission and why? Recommendation 20251013-008, Bird Friendly Design, is adjacent but still relevant because it addresses broader animal welfare and wildlife protection through City policy and built- environment practices. Pet Friendly Housing (20260413-006) also intersects with housing policy but remains closely connected to animal shelter intake prevention and pet retention. Please share any further context that could support or explain your recommendations. During the review period, the Commission received regular Austin Animal Services briefings, reviewed shelter data and outcome reports, received public comment, considered budget needs, discussed shelter capacity and animal care concerns, and used working groups to develop policy recommendations. Recurring themes included shelter overcrowding, live outcomes, animal enrichment, staffing stability, pet retention, adoption access, community cats, data transparency, off-leash dogs, and responsible animal welfare policy. Is there another body that overlaps with the role and work of the board or commission you serve? Yes. If yes, which body? Austin Animal Services, Austin City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court, and related City departments or advisory bodies when policy issues intersect with housing, public health, parks, wildlife, or environmental design. Please explain their alignment. The Animal Advisory Commission provides focused public input and policy recommendations related to animal welfare. Austin Animal Services implements shelter operations and programs. City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court make policy and budget decisions. Other boards or departments may overlap …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on May 11, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Animal Services Donation Fund. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services, Jason Garza, Assistant Director , Austin Animal Services, and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Approve the election of Chair. Update and Discussion from the Off Leash Dog Working Group regarding working group focus areas. Approve the addition of members to the Off Leash Dog Working Group. Approve the addition of members to the Foster Incentives Working Group. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding breed labeling policies in shelters. Approve the Annual Internal Review Report for Animal Advisory Commission. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Norton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz – State of Animals in Texas Sandra Muller – Transparency in Reporting Pat Valls Trelles – Donations Fund Rochelle Vickery – No food to people who have no record of spay or neuter 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026. The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the May 11, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Nilson was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. Update provided by Commissioner Holt. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Nilson as Chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-2 vote. Vice Chair Norton, Parliamentarian Daniel, and Commissioners Ferguson, Holt, Huddleston, and Maron were for. Commissioners Ahmed and Nemer were against. Commissioners Dulzaides, Loignon, and Van Landingham abstained. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. The motion to approve the creation of …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Norton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz – State of Animals in Texas Sandra Muller – Transparency in Reporting Pat Valls Trelles – Donations Fund Rochelle Vickery – No food to people who have no record of spay or neuter 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026. The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the May 11, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Nilson was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. Update provided by Commissioner Holt. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Nilson as Chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-2 vote. Vice Chair Norton, Parliamentarian Daniel, and Commissioners Ferguson, Holt, Huddleston, and Maron were for. Commissioners Ahmed and Nemer were against. Commissioners Dulzaides, Loignon, and Van Landingham abstained. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. The motion to approve the creation of …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – May2024-2026 May 2026 Intake May2025 Intake Chameleon ShelterBuddy – 1194 animals May2024 Intake May 2026 Adoption May2025 Adoptions Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Adoptions May 2026 RTOs May2025 RTOs Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 RTOs May 2026 Animal Euthanized May2025 Animals Euthanized Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Euthanized May 2026 Live Release Rate May2025 Total Live Release Rate Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Total Live Release Rate May 2026 Vaccinations – 2184 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. May2025 Animal Vaccinations May2024 Animal Vaccinations May 2026 – Spay/Neuter at AAC May2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC May 2026 Deaths in Care May2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster May 2026 Animals Transferred (includes 64 cats that went through SNR) May2025 Animals Transferred: Chameleon ShelterBuddy Includes 45 cats that went to AHS for SNR May2024 Animals Transferred May 2026 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May 2026 SNR Program – As noted above, 64 cats went through SNR May2025 SNR Program Chameleon May2024 SNR Program May 2026 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO May2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20260608-008 Recommendation to Council Regarding Breed Labeling Policies WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, research has found that the vast majority of dogs at animal shelters are composed of three or more breeds; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); . 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services- drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, “mixed breed” is an acceptable designation …
Updates, Reports and Briefings Austin Animal Services | June 8, 2026 Upcoming Events 2 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments Completed action items in the past 30 days Empty the Shelter Event Partnered with Bissel Pet Foundation to adopted out 269 animals including 78 cats, 47 kittens, 108 dogs, 33 puppies, and 2 rabbits! Programs and Socials Started the second cohort of dogs in the Enduring Service program! Improvements to shelter presence Added billboard sign on HWY 71 promoting the shelter and events Enhance Staffing Hired temporary Public Information Specialist and onboarded intern to support marketing activities. 4 Monthly Reporting May 2026 Jason Garza, Assistant Director 1,376 animals were impounded this month. May 2026 (FY26) saw 1,286 domestic animals impounded at AAS. This is a 22% increase from April 2026 which brought in 1,053 domestic animals to the shelter. The remaining number was wildlife. Intake Sources A breakdown of the sources for intake. Most animals came from stray brought in by the public. The number of strays impounded increased by 50%. 498 385 307 111 35 21 Stray from Public APO Impound Community Cat Owner Surrender Returned to Shelter APD | TCSO Emergency Clinic Born in Care Abandoned APO DOA Impound Wildlife Animals Impounded A breakdown of impounded animals by species and/or age. Fowl 6 Bird 3 Kittens 600 Rabbits 11 Wildlife 53 Puppies 104 Dogs 288 Cats 294 6 46 animals were euthanized this month* Animals Euthanized A breakdown of animals euthanized this month by species and/or age. Reasons for Euthanasia This chart shows the breakdown of reasons for euthanasia by animal. Each bar is equal to 100% of the euthanasia reason category. Kittens 8 Dogs 3 Wildlife 13 Cats 22 Kitten 7 Wildlife 1 Cat 18 0 Wildlife 10 Kitten 1 Wildlife 1 Dog 2 Cat 2 Wildlife 1 Cat 2 Dog 5 Dog 1 Suffering Rabies Risk Dog 0 Trauma Dog 0 DB4 Bites Injured Neuro Court Order 7 May 2026 had a live-release rate of 96.11 percent This means that of all companion animal outcomes for the month of May, 96.11 percent or 1064 were “live” and involved adoption, rescue transfer, return-to-owner, etc. Live Outcomes by Animal Type This chart shows how many of each animal type had a positive or live outcome during May. Breakdown per Outcome Type This chart shows the breakdown of each kind of live outcome by the number of …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – May2024-2026 May 2026 Intake May2025 Intake Chameleon ShelterBuddy – 1194 animals May2024 Intake May 2026 Adoption May2025 Adoptions Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Adoptions May 2026 RTOs May2025 RTOs Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 RTOs May 2026 Animal Euthanized May2025 Animals Euthanized Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Euthanized May 2026 Live Release Rate May2025 Total Live Release Rate Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Total Live Release Rate May 2026 Vaccinations – 2184 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. May2025 Animal Vaccinations May2024 Animal Vaccinations May 2026 – Spay/Neuter at AAC May2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC May 2026 Deaths in Care May2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster May 2026 Animals Transferred (includes 64 cats that went through SNR) May2025 Animals Transferred: Chameleon ShelterBuddy Includes 45 cats that went to AHS for SNR May2024 Animals Transferred May 2026 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May 2026 SNR Program – As noted above, 64 cats went through SNR May2025 SNR Program Chameleon May2024 SNR Program May 2026 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO May2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
Updates, Reports and Briefings Austin Animal Services | June 8, 2026 Upcoming Events 2 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments Completed action items in the past 30 days Empty the Shelter Event Partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation to adopted out 269 animals including 78 cats, 47 kittens, 108 dogs, 33 puppies, and 2 rabbits! Programs and Socials Started the second cohort of dogs in the Enduring Service program! Improvements to shelter presence Added billboard sign on HWY 71 promoting the shelter and events. Enhance Staffing Hired temporary Public Information Specialist and onboarded intern to support marketing activities. 4 Monthly Reporting May 2026 Jason Garza, Assistant Director 1,366 animals were impounded this month. May 2026 (FY26) saw 1,306 domestic animals impounded at AAS. This is a 22% increase from April 2026 which brought in 1,060 domestic animals to the shelter. The remaining number was wildlife. Intake Sources A breakdown of the sources for intake. Most animals came from stray brought in by the public. The number of strays impounded increased by 50%. Stray from Public APO Impound Community Cat Owner Surrender Returned to Shelter APD | TCSO Emergency Clinic Born in Care Abandoned APO DOA Impound Wildlife 497 380 305 112 35 21 5 4 3 3 1 Animals Impounded A breakdown of impounded animals by species and/or age. Rabbits 11 Wildlife 60 Fowl 5 Birds 3 Puppies 104 Dogs 285 Cats 290 Kittens 598 6 48 animals were euthanized this month Animals Euthanized A breakdown of animals euthanized this month by species and/or age. Reasons for Euthanasia This chart shows the breakdown of reasons for euthanasia by animal. Each bar is equal to 100% of the euthanasia reason category. Kittens 8 Dogs 3 Wildlife 13 Cats 22 Kitten 6 Wildlife 1 Cat 17 Kitten 1 Wildlife 2 Dog, 2 Cat 2 Wildlife 1 Kitten 1 Cat 2 Puppy 1 Cat 1 Wildlife 10 Dog, 1 Suffering Injured Neuro Agonal Rabies Risk 7 May 2026 had a live-release rate of 96.16 percent This means that of all companion animal outcomes for the month of May, 96.16 percent or 1100 were “live” and involved adoption, rescue transfer, return-to-owner, etc. Live Outcomes by Animal Type This chart shows how many of each animal type had a positive or live outcome during May. Breakdown per Outcome Type This chart shows the breakdown of each kind of live outcome by the number of …
Off-Leash Dogs Working Group Draft June 2026 Working Group Members Animal Advisory Commission • Whitney Holt • Jo Anne Norton Non-Commission • Pat Vals-Trelles City of Austin Staff • ?? Issues Considered by the Working Group • Misinformation about existing laws, especially on social media platforms (Any impact HB 285 “Pancho’s Law”) • New Austinites may not know about existing laws • Off-leash dogs on parkland that is on-leash only – Citizens cannot safely enjoy City parkland • Off-leash dogs in neighborhoods (owned dogs) – Citizens cannot safely walk in their neighborhood • Options for citizens to report issues • Continued education and data monitoring Citizen Concerns Gathered from NextDoor, emails, conversations about off- leash dogs in on-leash areas and neighborhoods • Chase bikes potentially causing accidents • Run up to strollers or citizens with walking aides • Poop not scooped because owners are on their phones or talking to others • Not enough tickets written for violations • Dogs run up to random adults and children • Dog owners are not trained to break up dog fights Data • 311 and 911 call data related to off-leash dogs in parks and neighborhoods • One year lookback (6/01/2025 through 5/31/2026) – # of calls by category (loose dog, SBI) – APO follow up on 311 and 911 calls • # of suggestions for fencing • Action taken for repeat calls • # of visits/letters to pet owners who let their pets go loose • Future - Lookback after a year to confirm education is making an impact Raising Awareness About Existing Off-Leash Laws • Develop educational plan – Review collateral – Create messaging – Explore social media platforms – Other • Sessions at libraries • CM newsletters
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number:20260608-008 Recommendation to Council Regarding Breed Labeling Policies WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, research has found that the vast majority of dogs at animal shelters are composed of three or more breeds; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); DRAFT . 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services- drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, “mixed breed” is an acceptable designation …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on April 13, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Approve the election of Chair. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. Approve the creation of a Working group that creates incentives for city and county employees who foster an animal for Ausin Animal Shelter and the addition of members. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding breed labeling policies in shelters. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Satellite Adoption. Approve an update to the membership of the Pet Friendly Housing Working Group. Approve an amendment to the Rules and Procedures regarding the order of public comment. Approve the appointment of a chair and committee members OR the dissolution of the No Kill subcommittee. FUTURE AGENDA …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 13, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Nilson called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Erin Ferguson, D8 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners Absent: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Sarah Huddleston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers Shelly Leibham – Dog overpopulation Julie Oliver – Data inconsistencies Lynette Cox – TNR process for community cats 1 Pat Valls-Trelles - Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on February 9, 2026. The minutes of March 9, 2026, regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during April 13, 2026, regular meeting on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Dulzaides’ second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Ahmed, Clinton, and Huddleston were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding deceased animal recovery services. Presentation by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. Presentation given by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Quarterly report from Animal Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the reprioritization of the legislative priority list sent to the Austin Government Relations Office in February. Discussed. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments was approved on Commissioner Dulzaides’ motion, Commissioner Daniel’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION 20260511-009 EXPANDING ACCESS TO PET ADOPTION THROUGH SATELLITE ADOPTION CENTERS WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off-site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City staff across the appropriate departments shall research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in re-imagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals. Date of Approval: Motioned by: Seconded by: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Recuse: Off Dais: Absent: Attest:
Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | May 11, 2026 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments on the Horizon! Completed action items in the past 30 days Clear the Crates! We sent out (adoptive, foster, or transfer) 103 animals in late April/early May with 60 being cats and 41 dogs, of which 29 were large breed adults! That is 29 more animals than last month during the same period which included 17 more large breed adult dogs! Process Improvement Continued work on pathways and transfer protocols Added extra day of surgery for animals who need extra support Programs and Socials Implemented Doggie Day Out Graduation for inaugural Enduring Service program dogs Improvements to shelter presence Added event calendar to the website Enhance Staffing Including VS positions in citywide market study to improve recruitment and retention 3 What does the horizon plan look like for May? 30 Community Engagement • Implement Marketing plan Enhance Staffing • Relaunch kennel cleaning study with adjusted Animal Care schedules • Continue recruiting for one lead and two technicians for Vet Services Process Improvement • Finalize dates for Maddie’s Fund Clinic Consultation for efficiency and S/N • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Procure Doobert a foster management tool • Procure Petzel a pet adoption follow up tool 4 What does the horizon plan look like for May? 30 Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 3 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Launch Dog Day Out to 4-5 days a week • Develop accountability plan Develop plan for reopening intake • Ongoing process • Work with APA on community-based solutions Social Presence • Update social messaging • Implement plan for socials 5 60 What does the horizon plan look like for May and June? Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 5 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Implement foster management tools • Offer Dog Day Out program 5 days a week Shelter and Process Improvements • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Implement Doobert foster management tool • Implement post-adoption tool Social Presence • Update engagement efforts • Implement Newsletter Develop plan for reopening intake • Reduce wait-time for intake 6 What does the horizon plan look like for May, June, and July? 90 Open Intake Planning • Open intake for all stray animals …
Recommendation to Council Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation 20260511-008 Regarding Breed Labeling Practices WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-serv ices-drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, the previous interim Director for Austin Animal Services had started the process of updating breed labeling practices to align with these goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Austin Animal Advisory Commission …
Resolution Regarding Breed Labeling Practices WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-serv ices-drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, the previous interim Director for Austin Animal Services had started the process of updating breed labeling practices to align with these goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Austin Animal Advisory Commission respectfully recommends City Council and the City …
A RESOLUTION OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL EXPANDING ACCESS TO PET ADOPTION THROUGH SATELLITE ADOPTION CENTERS WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off-site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council and the City Manager request City staff across the appropriate departments research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in reimagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals.
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260511-009: Expanding Access to Pet Adoption Through Satellite Adoption Centers WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off- site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council and the City Manager request City staff across the appropriate departments research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and . SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in reimagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals. Date of Approval: May 11, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Holt Seconded By: Vice Chair Norton Vote: 11-0 …
