REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION September 9, 2024, 6 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 W. 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 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 Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 Laura Hoke, Mayor 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 August 12, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. Discussion of City of Austin use of glue traps for pest control. 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 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Eric Anderson, Office of (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk at
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on August 12, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Sarah Huddleston, D9 Larry Tucker, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Luis Herrera, D6 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Whitney Holt, D5 Lotta Smagula, D1 Commissioners Absent: Amanda Bruce, D10 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Paige Nilson, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Tracey B – Foster/TNR Rochelle Vickery – Spay and Neuter Kristyn Williams – TNR/Rescue/Medical Vouchers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on July 8, 2024. 1 The minutes from the meeting of July 8, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Nemer’s motion, Vice Chair Linder’s second on a 7-0 vote. Chair Clinton and Commissioner Holt abstained. Commissioners Bruce, Dulzaides, and Nilson were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. The presentation was made by Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. Commissioner Smagula requested that Animal Services staff provide additional information related to the July 2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster charts in the Austin Animal Center July 2024 Data Report. Vice Chair Linder requested that Animal Services staff provide information on the number of clinics accepting medical vouchers and the average wait times for intake of sick/injured and healthy animals. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager; Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager, Financial Services; Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant. Commissioner Holt recused herself from the discussion. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Huddleston’s motion, Commissioner Hoke’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Dulzaides, and Nilson were absent. The minutes were approved at the XX, meeting on Commissioner XX’s motion, Commissioner XX’s second on a X-X vote. 2
Information is from October 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024 Information compiled via ASO Power BI dashboards. Difference of outcomes - intakes Outcome Year (fiscal) Intake Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Cats Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total Dog Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total RTO/RTO Adopt SNR (former SCRP) RTO/RTO Adopt 2024 4812 5291 10103 2024 4798 5233 10031 2024 -14 -58 -72 2024 3362 139 1146 100 67 4 415 5233 2024 3210 715 763 81 26 3 4798
What Is a Glue Trap? A glue trap is a small board made of cardboard, fiberboard, or plastic and coated with a sticky adhesive. It can ensnare any small animal who wanders across or lands on its surface. Glue Traps Are Indiscriminate Small “nontarget” animals, including birds, hamsters, lizards, snakes, and squirrels, often fall victim to these traps. Glue Traps Cause Prolonged Suffering Animals trapped in the glue panic and struggle, which causes them to become even more ensnarled. Often, the glue tears off their fur, feathers, or skin. Some break bones or even chew off their own limbs in a desperate attempt to escape. The screaming of ensnared wildlife is extremely upsetting to people who don’t know how to “dispose” of these sentient beings. Left alone, the terrified, injured animals die, sometimes days later, of blood loss, shock, suffocation, or thirst. Or they die from being crushed in the garbage, which is where the instructions on the traps advise consumers to put them. Glue Traps Are a Health Hazard The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public not to use glue traps because they increase people’s exposure to disease. Animals stuck in the glue continue to produce urine and feces, through which pathogens, including hantavirus, salmonella, and the bacteria that cause leptospirosis, are transmitted. Glue Traps Don’t Work Glue traps are not a long-term solution for controlling “unwanted houseguests.” When rodents are killed, the survivors and newcomers breed faster, which causes an increase in the population! And they fail to address the source of the problem: If holes aren’t plugged up and attractants aren’t removed, more animals will move in to take the place of those who have been killed. The Way Forward Multiple countries—including England, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand—as well as two states and one territory in Australia and nearly all 28 states and 8 union territories in India have banned glue traps. And hundreds of companies and other entities have prohibited their sale or use, including Target, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Canada, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Public Storage, and more than 100 airports. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 • 757-622-PETA • PETA.org GLUETRAPCRUELTY
Austin Can Lead the Way for Animals: Ending the Use of Glue Traps What are glue traps? A small board made of carboard, fiberboard or plastic and coated with a sticky adhesive. The glue trap is designed to ensnare any small animal who wanders across or lands on its surface. “One of the cruelest methods of killing animals in existence today…” – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Glue Trap Fact Sheet. “Responsible for more suffering than virtually any other wildlife control product on the market…” –Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Glue Boards. Why End the Use of Glue Traps? Five reasons to stop using glue traps in Austin • They inflict immense, prolonged suffering • They are indiscriminate • They are ineffective at addressing the problem • Customers are unaware of the cruelty • The CDC says not to use them Glue traps cause immense, prolonged suffering. Animals trapped in the glue panic and struggle, causing them to become even more stuck. In their desperation to break free, the glue tears off their skin or feathers. Some animals’ faces becomes stuck, leading to suffocation lasting hours. Some break bones or chew off their limbs, desperate to escape. Animals suffer slow, painful deaths and can be thrown in the garbage while still alive. Most trapped animals die of blood loss, shock, suffocation, or dehydration, after days of suffering. They die starved and exhausted. Instructions on glue boards have suggested that the traps be thrown away while the animal is still alive. Simply check reviews on Amazon to understand how inhumane glue traps are. They cause indiscriminate suffering. According to the Wildife Center of Virginia's WILD-ONe database, which collects information from wildlife rehabilitation and animal hospitals, 179 species of wildlife have been documented in glue traps, including some protected species of birds. • Source: Schwirtz, M. (2024, March 28). In New York City, glue traps face scrutiny amid push for humane rodent control. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/nyregion/glue-trap-rodents-nyc.html They do not solve the problem. The only long-term way to control rodent populations is to make the area unattractive and inaccessible to the animals. The CDC states: “Removing food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents is the best way to prevent contact with rodents.” Consumers are not prepared. People report being unsure of how to handle discovering an animal immobilized on a glue trap. The …
Administrative Report ACTION ITEM HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL Ben Harvey, City Manager Brian Popovich, Management Analyst TO: FROM: DATE REPORT PREPARED: MEETING DATE: February 27, 2024 February 16, 2024 SUBJECT: Introduction of Ordinance to Prohibit the Use and Sale of Glue Traps Within the City of Ojai Recommendation Introduce an Ordinance prohibiting the use and sale of glue traps within the City of Ojai. Discussion The issue of the use of glue traps has been raised in recent years by animal rights advocacy groups. Recently, the City Council has directed staff to draft an ordinance banning the use of glue traps. The City has a history of supporting items that promote animal welfare, including the recent passing of an ordinance adding the right to bodily liberty for elephants. Glue Traps Glue traps, also known as a sticky board or glue board, is composed of a layer of cardboard, plastic or wood that is coated with a non-drying adhesive, or a shallow tray of adhesive. The goal of the glue trap is to entrap rodents or other pests when they cross the board since their feet or other body parts get stuck in the adhesive. The animals are incapable of freeing themselves and slowly other parts of their bodies get stuck to the trap. After an extended amount of time, the captured animal typically dies from starvation, dehydration, or suffocation. The process is extremely cruel and painful, and subjects the animal to an inhumane and slow death. Glue traps are primarily used by homeowners, food processors and pest management companies to control rodent populations. Glue traps are commonly used for rodents, however, the People for Ethical Animal Treatment (“PETA”), states that these traps have been used to capture other wildlife such as birds, snakes and squirrels. According to PETA, there are reports of cats becoming stuck in glue traps and requiring veterinary assistance afterwards. Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) warns against the use of glue traps due to potentially producing harmful human health impacts as the trapped animals produce urine and feces. 344240.1 Page 1 of 3 3-1 While the larger glue traps designed to capture vertebrate animals such as rats tend to be the most problematic due to the increased likelihood to capture larger animals or multiple animals, smaller glue traps designed to capture invertebrate animals such as ants, flies, insects and cockroaches present similar dangers. …
August 2024 AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT 1 Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for August was 97.82%. • A total of 904 animals were brought to the shelter which included 491 cats, 357 dogs, 32 wild animals, 14 guinea pigs, 3 lizards, 2 rabbits, and 1 tortoise. • A total of 735 animals were adopted (148 adult dogs, 126 puppies, 1 neonatal puppy, 360 kittens, and 100 adult cats). • A total of 73 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On August 1, there were 1,045 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (553 onsite, 486 in foster, 2 • On September 1, there were 892 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (524 onsite, 364 in at a vet clinic, and 1 at TLAC). foster, 1 at a vet clinic, and 2 at TLAC). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 47 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 13 fencing assistance applications and implanted 1 microchip(s). • Officers impounded 139 injured animals and delivered approximately 104 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 257 rabies exposure reports and submitted 41 specimens for rabies testing. We had 11 positive bats, 1 positive skunk, 4 decomposed bats and 2 decomposed skunks, and 1 decomposed fox. • 76 total coyote related activities (Behavior types include Sighting, Encounter, Incident, and Observation. “Observation” is defined as hearing coyotes howling and finding scat or footprints.) o 46 Wild Sick o 23 Sightings o 3 Encounters o 2 Wild Speak o 1 Observation o 1 Wild Injured • Out of 76 coyote related activities, 27 (24%) reports fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and observation) o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 3/3 (100%) of encounters reported. An encounter involved two coyotes following caller and pet. An encounter involved a coyote being chased by residents’ dog for 2-3 blocks. An encounter involved a coyote with mange lunging at a dog, once the caller and dog came around the corner and startled the coyote. • Out of 76 coyote related reports, 55 (72%) reports were updated to the correct behavior types. 2 o 16 sightings updated to wild sick (Due to mange) o Residents are mistaking coyotes with mange for dogs 15 stray injured dogs updated to wild sick coyotes 3 stray roam …
Strategic Planning Update to Animal Advisory Commission Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager Samantha Eaton Moncayo, Business Process Consultant Senior Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant September 9, 2024 W o r k in g Gr o u p M e e t in g • D r . Sch o o le r fa cilit a t e d s e co n d w o r k in g gr o u p m e e t in g o n Au gu s t 2 9 t h • D is co ve r y Se s s io n • P r io r it ie s d is cu s s io n Strategic Planning Update 2 Data Overview DATA METHOD Interviews Listening Sessions Public Survey Staff 9 Leadership Interviews 9 listening sessions (94 Staff) 103 total staff Volunteers 4 listening sessions 40 volunteers Community 1 month posted 2000+ responses ASO Data Analysis 09/09/2024 3 Community Survey TIMEFRAME FORMAT The community survey was open from July 17th until August 14th on Public Input. Online mixed methods survey with quantitative and qualitative questions using Public Input platform. RESPONSES 2,041 participants *567 responses excluded because they failed to complete 2 or more required questions and most other data left blank. MARKETING The survey was shared through ASO social media, a City press release, internal City newsletter, City social media, all City Public Information Officers, and a social media kit was sent to partner agencies. ASO Data Analysis 09/09/2024 4 Participant Demographics Zip Code Distribution Age Please note: Demographic questions were completed by 66%, 49%, 47% and 47% respectively ASO Data Analysis 09/09/2024 5 Participant Demographics Gender Race/Ethnicity The areas of the pie chart not visible on the graphic represent the following out of 971 respondents. America Indian or Alaska Native - 1, Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish; American Indian or Alaska Native Indian or Alaska Native; Other - 1, White; Black or African-American; American Indian or Alaska Native- 1, White; Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish; American Indian or Alaska Native Asian - 1, White; Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish; Other White; Black or African-American - 2, White; American Indian or Alaska Native - 1, White; Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish; - 2, - 1, White; Other - 1, Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish; Asian - 1, White; American - 4 ASO Data Analysis 09/09/2024 6 Participants Interactions with ASO Please note: Participants can indicate more …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on September 9, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Lotta Smagula, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Commissioners Absent: Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 Luis Herrera, D6 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Larry Tucker, D7 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Catherine Chamblee - Exacerbation and strain caused on Austin’s own stray and shelter animal population by transportation of more out of area shelter animals into Austin Remington Johnson – Enforcement of Kennel Size Pat Valls-Trelles – Process, Policy, Progress, etc. Sandra Muller – Dog Bite Scale, Live Release Rate, Austin Pets Alive! Repairs APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on August 12, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of August 12, 2024, failed on Commissioner Smagula’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Nilson abstained. Parliamentarian Nemer, Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Hoke, and Tucker were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. The presentation was made by Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. Commissioner Smagula requested that Animal Services staff provide information on which category the animals listed in the “Lost, Stolen, or Missing” fall under. Commissioner Dulzaides requested that Animal Services staff provide information on how many animals are microchipped each month. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager; Samantha Eaton Moncayo, Business Process Consultant, Senior, Financial Services; Dr. Larry Schooler, Consultant. Commissioner Holt recused herself from the discussion. Discussion of City of Austin use of glue traps for pest control. Discussed. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Huddleston’s second on a 7-0 vote. Parliamentarian Nemer, Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Hoke, and Tucker were absent. The minutes were approved at the October 14, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on …
