Belinda Hare for Animal Advisory Commission 2023 Proposed Meeting Schedule Animal Advisory Commission Proposed Meeting Schedule, 2023 The City of Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission meets on the second Monday of every month, 6 p.m.: • Monday, January 9 • Monday, February 13 • Monday, March 13 • Monday, April 10 • Monday, May 8 • Monday, June 12 • Monday, July 10 • Monday, August 14 • Monday, September 11 • Monday, November 13 • Monday, December 11 • Monday, October 9 (Indigenous peoples’ day)
Animal Advisory Commission November 14, 2022, Meeting City’s Use of Cooling Centers In response to Commissioner Smagula’s questions about the City of Austin’s use of cooling centers during extreme heat events, Bill Wilson, Emergency Management Manager, City of Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), and Mark Sloat, Animal Services Office (ASO), shared the following: Bill Wilson, City of Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM): Only service animals are permitted in cooling centers per City ordinance No. 20190307-014 relating to recreation centers and Council approved Library Use Rules. It is the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and Austin Public Library (APL) that pets, which include all small animals, continue to not be permitted in those respective facilities to mitigate safety and sanitation risks. Regularly scheduled activities continue during cooling center activations putting all guests at risk when pets are present in a facility not designed for accommodating a variety of small animals. HSEM coordinates with the Austin Animal Center (AAC) during emergencies and can mobilize cooling trucks for pets as needed and if trucks and staff are available. Advertising the resource is not advisable because AAC is burdened by overcrowding, which means fulfilling requests for additional services further strains their already tight resources. Cooling center staff are aware of the resource and can request the service when they observe the need. Fortunately, AAC has been able to accommodate on the few occasions a cooling truck has been requested for on-site service. AAC also regularly performs outreach by checking on pets and providing direct assistance to pets and their owners experiencing homelessness. I also noticed that you are asking about services during an emergency shelter, but the subject for the email relates to cooling centers. I wanted to take a moment to differentiate between the two. Emergency Shelters will operate on a 24-hour basis and provide food, sleep accommodations, and other services for those that need the use of the shelter. Cooling Centers are locations that people can go to during the heat of the day to cool down. While there are times that snacks and water are provided, they are not open overnight and therefore do not provide sleeping accommodations, other services, or 24-hour access. We do work to provide accommodations for pets during both sheltering and cooling center operations. Mark Sloat, Program Manager, Animal Services Office (ASO): “We had no issues during the summer with …
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 14, 2022, 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the 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, call or email Stephanie Hall, by Sunday noon, November 13, at 512-974-2210, or stephanie.hall@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen, Parliamentarian Dr. Amanda Bruce AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides Dr. Paige Nilson 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 October 10, 2022. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Monthly Report. 3. Presentation of the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council concerning the City of Austin's upcoming Five- 5. Approve the creation of a working group regarding spay/neuter efforts within the Year Strategic Plan. community. 6. Approve the creation of a working group to evaluate and discuss the current state of reports and published literature related to the housing of dogs in Travis County animal shelters. 7. Approve Commission Annual Meeting Schedule for 2023. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 notice at least two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 512-974-2210 or at Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Stephanie Hall at 512-974-2210 or Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov
AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DRAFT MINUTES October 10, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on Monday, October 10, 2022, 6 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m., conducted a roll call of members and confirmed a quorum of seven commissioners. Five Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson and Dr Amanda Bruce. Two Commissioners attended via teleconferencing, Commissioners Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Commission Members Absent: Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL In-person: Amber Rowland Neil Hay APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Corrections to the draft minutes were noted. Commissioner Nemer moved to approve the minutes with corrections; Commissioner Jarl seconded the motion which passed unanimously with all participating Commissioners voting in favor, 7 to 0: Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports 3. AAC Staffing and Services 4. Update on ASO Audit, Keith Salas, Assistant City Auditor 5. Presentation by Parliamentarian regarding Roberts Rules of Order 6. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding APA! Monthly Report DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and Possible Action Concerning the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony Commissioner Dr. Nilson moved to approve the six recommendations presented by Dr. Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservancy, to City Council. Commissioner Dulzaides seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. 8. Discussion and Possible Action on Adopting Bird-Safe Building Ordinances Dr. Chris Sheppard, Director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy, presented on the importance of protecting birds and how to reduce bird collisions. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend the City Council adopt the American Bird Conservancy’s Model-Friendly Building Guidelines. Dr. Nilson seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, …
October 2022 October 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for October was 97.86 percent. • A total of 853 animals were brought to the shelter which included 490 dogs, 327 cats, 24 wild animals, six guinea pigs, five rabbits, and one tortoise. • A total of 453 animals were adopted (234 cats, 209 dogs, and 8 small pets). • A total of 93 dogs, cats, tortoise, and snake were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 63 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 35 fencing assistance applications and implanted eight microchips. • Officers impounded 143 injured animals and delivered 165 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 202 rabies exposure reports and submitted 28 specimens for rabies testing. Eight bats tested positive for rabies, five were non-negative (not able to test). • 36 total coyote related activities • Out of 36 coyote related activities, 23 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and • Encounters: Pets were a factor in 100% of activities: o 1 encounter involved a coyote running at caller and small pet twice, entering the fenced backyard one Incidents: Pets were factor in 100% of these encounters. • o 1 incident involved a coyote “trying to catch the neighbor’s dog”. Unable to make contact. Animal Protection o 21 sightings o 5 wild speaks o 4 wild sicks o 4 wild injured o 1 incident o 1 encounter observation). time October 2022 Animal Services Report • Out of 36 related activities, 14 fell within the reported behavior types (wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured) Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 323 volunteers donated 4,747 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held seven orientations for new volunteers, introducing 226 people to the shelter programs. 121 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in September. • 148 individuals donated 296 hours towards dog walking and cat care through group volunteer service. • 13 Community Service Restitution individuals performed 116 hours of laundry, dishes, and other duties as assigned. • 111 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 200 different people/families fostered. • 78 new foster applications were processed. (This number does not necessarily include walk-in / in person applications that were processed.) • There …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – October 2020-2022 October 2022 Intake October 2021 Intakes October 2020 Intakes October 2022 Adoptions October 2021 Adoptions October 2020 Adoptions October 2022 RTOs October 2021 RTOs October 2020 RTOs October 2022 Animals Euthanized October 2021 Animals Euthanized October 2020 Animals Euthanized October 2022 Total Live Release Rate October 2021 Total Live Release Rate October 2020 Total Live Release Rate October 2022 Animal Vaccinations October 2021 Animal Vaccinations October 2020 Animal Vaccinations October 2022 Spayed/Neutered at AAC October 2021 Spayed/Neutered at AAC October 2020 Spayed/Neutered at AAC October 2022 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster October 2021 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster October 2020 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster October 2022 Animals Transferred: October 2021 Animals Transferred October 2020 Animals Transferred October 2022 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing October 2021 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing October 2020 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing October 2022 SNR Program October 2021 SNR Program October 2020 SNR Program October 2022 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO October 2021 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO October 2020 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
Item 4 - Letter to Austin CM and CFO concerning SD28 Dear City Manager Spencer Cronk and Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo: We recommend that the City of Austin include information about our many programs for Austin citizens and their companion animals, as well as all of Austin’s valuable and iconic wildlife, in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan (SD28). The Animal Advisory Commission, as well as Austin Animal Center leadership and staff, were disappointed when no mention was made of Austin’s many programs for helping Austin’s animals in the last Strategic Development Plan. There is a tremendous amount of hard work done every day of the year for the animals of Austin by Shelter Staff, supported by the hard work of many Austin citizens who volunteer their time and donate their money to help make the lives of Austin’s companion and wild animals better. This extends out to our many Austin governmental organizations, such as APD, and all of our partner non-profits, all of whom contribute to our goal of the best No-Kill Shelter in the world. It is an unfortunate omission that such hard work on such an important City function is lacking from a Strategic Plan for our City. Animals are family to many Austin residents, and to others, Austin’s wildlife is simply a part of home. Let us be more inclusive in the upcoming Austin Strategic Plan! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Date: November 14, 2022 Recommendation: ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20221114-004 Subject: Letter to Austin City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Concerning SD28 Motioned By: Commissioner Norton Seconded By: Commissioner Herrera Dear City Manager Spencer Cronk and Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo: We recommend that the City of Austin include information about our many programs for The Animal Advisory Commission, as well as Austin Animal Center leadership and staff, were Austin citizens and their companion animals, as well as all of Austin’s valuable and iconic wildlife, in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan (SD28). disappointed when no mention was made of Austin’s many programs for helping Austin’s animals in the last Strategic Development Plan. There is a tremendous amount of hard work done every day of the year for the animals of Austin by Shelter Staff, supported by the hard work of many Austin citizens who volunteer their time and donate their money to help make the lives of Austin’s companion and wild animals better. This extends out to our many Austin governmental organizations, such as APD, and all of our partner non-profits, all of whom contribute to our goal of the best No-Kill Shelter in the nation. It is an unfortunate omission that such hard work on such an important City function is lacking from a Strategic Plan for our City. Animals are family to many Austin residents, and to others, Austin’s wildlife is simply a part of home. Let us be more inclusive in the upcoming Austin Strategic Plan! Thank you for your attention to this matter. Description of Recommendation to Council: That the City of Austin include information about Austin Animal center’s many programs for Austin citizens, their companion animals, and Austin wildlife in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan (SD28). That the Strategic Development 28 Plan (SD28) be as inclusive as possible. Rationale: Vote: For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 3 Absent: 2 1 of 2 Attest: 2 of 2
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 301 W. Second Street, Rm 1101 in Austin, Texas. Chair Nazor called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Chair Nazor, Vice Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Nilson, Norton, and Smagula attended in person. Commissioners Dulzaides, Jarl, Nemer, and Neuhaus joined via videoconference. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Eileen McFall – no kill shelter Pat Valls-Trelles – wildlife animal protection Rochelle Vickery – vouchers for spay/neuter Ellen Jefferson – no kill resolution APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 10, 2022. The minutes from the meeting of October 10, 2022, were approved on Commissioner Nemer’s motion, Commissioner Norton’s second on a vote 9-0. Vice Chair Clinton and Commissioner Jarl abstained. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Monthly Report. Reports were provided in back up documents. Presentation the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! Presentation by Neil Hay, Senior Director of Operations, Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Lifesaving Operations. 1. 2. 3. 1 4. 5. 6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a Recommendation to Council concerning the City of Austin's upcoming Five Year Strategic Plan. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council for the City of Austin include information about our many programs for Austin citizens and their companion animals, as well as all of Austin’s valuable and iconic wildlife, in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan was approved, as amended below, on Commissioner Norton’s motion, Commission Herrera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Herrera and Nilson abstained. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. An amendment to replace “best no kill shelter in the world” to “the most Pet Friendly City in America” was offered on Commissioner Herrera’s motion, Commissioner Bruce’s second. Commissioner Dulzaides offered a friendly amendment to replace “in the world/America” with “in the nation” and was accepted without objection. The amendment to replace “best no kill shelter in the world” to “the most Pet Friendly City in the nation” failed on Commissioner Herrera’s motion, Commissioner Bruce’s second on a 4-7 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Nilson and Norton. Those voting nay were Chair Nazor, Vice Chair Clinton, Commissioners Dulzaides, Jarl, Nemer, Neuhaus and Smagula. …
