REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION February 10, 2025, 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 Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, 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 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 January 13, 2025. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding license agreements reports. 4. Discussion of the draft Animal Services Strategic Plan. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the draft Animal Services Strategic Plan. 6. Approve the formation of a Community Cat Processing Working Group. 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 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Christi Vitela, Office of the City Clerk at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512) 974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on January 13, 2025, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nancy Nemer, Travis County Luis Herrera, D6 Whitney Holt, D5 Larry Tucker, D7 Commissioners Absent: Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Lotta Smagula, D1 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kayla Murray – Adoption difficulties Pat Valls-Trelles – Animal Services Budget Laura Ransan Nesmith - TNR Wendy Weiss – TNR Deborah Ro – TNR Rochelle Vickery – Abandoned Dogs 1 Robert Corbin – Off leash dogs APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on December 9, 2024 The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of December 9, 2024, was approved on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Huddleston’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Nilson abstained. Commissioners Hoke and Smagula were absent. The motion to take up Item 3 before Item 2 was approved on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Huddleston’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Hoke and Smagula were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 3. Staff briefing on the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030. The presentation was made by Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager, Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Service Office, and Audrey Muntz, Budget and Performance Manager, Financial Services Department. Vice Chair Linder requested that staff provide the introduction and background for the Strategic Plan and any additional language that precedes the Strategic Plan. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Receive feedback from members of the public regarding the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Community cat processing Working Group (Clinton, Huddleston) A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Dulzaides’ second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Hoke and Smagula were absent. 2 The minutes were approved at the XX, meeting on Commissioner XX’s motion, Commissioner XX’s second on a X-X vote. 3
ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICE STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-2030 DRAFT SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW AND REVISION BY THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION, CITY MANAGEMENT, AND AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL. FEBRUARY 6, 2025 DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction .............................................................................................2-4 Message from the Chief Animal Services Officer ...........................................5 Strategic Planning Background & Overview .............................................6-9 ASO Strategic Plan 2025-2030 ..............................................................10-21 Humane Care................................................................................10-12 Spay Neuter.......................................................................................13 Open Intake...................................................................................14-15 Live Release..................................................................................16-17 Public Health & Safety...................................................................18-19 Staff & Volunteers .......................................................................20-21 Acknowledgements..............................................................................22 Appendix..........................................................................................23-32 Measuring Success......................................................................23-30 Glossary..............................................................................31-32 2 INT RO DUCT IO N ABOUT THE AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICE The City of Austin Animal Services Office (ASO) operates the Austin Animal Center, the municipal shelter for the city of Austin and unincorporated Travis County, one of the largest no-kill shelters in the nation. Throughout the year, the Austin Animal Center is a temporary home for thousands of pets, working to place all adoptable pets in homes. Animal Services emphasizes a prevention based, educational approach by enforcing animal- related ordinances and by connecting residents with resources to care for animals in the community. WHAT IS THE ASO STRATEGIC PLAN? The ASO Strategic Plan provides a clear and actionable framework to guide the organization’s efforts in achieving its goals and realizing its vision over the next five years. ASO staff and City of Austin leadership will use this plan to: Establish a roadmap for departmental initiatives Guide operational, resource allocation, and budgeting decisions Track and evaluate progress toward goals and performance targets Communicate ASO’s vision and priorities to stakeholders Identify opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders to advance ASO’s goals and vision INT RO DUCTION 3 COMPONENTS OF THE ASO STRATEGIC PLAN THE ASO STRATEGIC PLAN INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: VISION: A shared idea of what the community will experience when ASO implements this plan. MISSION: The core purpose and role ASO serves in supporting the community and achieving its vision. ASO’s mission was not updated as part of this process. FOCUS AREAS: This plan has six focus areas representing ASO’s high-level priorities. These foundational elements guide ASO in advancing its mission and achieving its vision. DESCRIPTION: A brief overview of each focus area. GOALS: A shared idea of what the community will experience when ASO implements this plan. STRATEGIES: The core purpose and role ASO serves in supporting the community and achieving its vision. ASO’s mission was not updated as part of this process. MEASURES: Each goal has associated measures which can be found in …
Information is from October 1, 2024– January 31, 2025 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 2025 1653 1693 3346 2025 1611 1881 3492 2025 -42 188 146 2025 1363 58 249 56 26 2 127 1881 2025 1034 235 286 49 7 0 1611
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – January 2023-2025 January 2025 Intake January 2024 Intake January 2023 Intake January 2025 Adoptions January 2024 Adoptions January 2023 Adoptions January 2024 RTOs January 2023 RTOs January 2023 RTOs January 2025 Animals Euthanized January 2024 Animals Euthanized January 2023 Animals Euthanized January 2025 Total Live Release Rate January 2024 Total Live Release Rate January 2023 Total Live Release Rate January 2025 Animal Vaccinations January 2024 Animal Vaccinations January 2023 Animal Vaccinations January 2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC January 2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC January 2023 Spayed/Neutered at AAC January 2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster January 2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster January 2023 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster January 2025 Animals Transferred: January 2024 Animals Transferred January 2023 Animals Transferred January 2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing January 2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing January 2023 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing January 2025 SNR Program January 2024 SNR Program January 2023 SNR Program January 2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO January 2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO January 2023 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
January 2025 AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT 1 Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for January was 96.28%. • A total of 852 animals were brought to the shelter which included 481 dogs, 346 cats, 12 wild animals, 7 rabbits, 2 pigeons, 2 guinea pigs, one lizard, and one chicken. • A total of 595 animals were adopted (172 adult dogs, 118 puppies, 192 kittens, and 113 adult cats). • A total of 80 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On January 1, there were 807 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (485 onsite, 319 in foster, 2 at a vet • On February 1, there were 745 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (460 onsite, 280 in foster, 2 at a vet clinic, and 0 at TLAC). clinic, and 1 at TLAC). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 37 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 31 fencing assistance applications and implanted 7 microchip(s). • Officers impounded 90 injured animals and delivered approximately 28 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. positive bat. • Officers entered 212 rabies exposure reports and submitted 12 specimens for rabies testing. We had 1 • There were 86 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 47 sightings o 29 wild sick o 3 incidents o 1 observations o 2 encounters o 3 wild injured o 1 wild speak • Out of 86 coyote related activities, 53 (62%) reports fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and observation) o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 2/2 (100%) of encounters reported. ▪ 1/2 encounters (50%) involved a coyote with mange following caller and dog ▪ 1/2 encounters (50%) involved a coyote “approached” caller and dog o Incidents: Pets were a factor in 3/3 (100%) of incidents reported. ▪ 1/3 incidents (33%) involved a coyote “acting aggressive”. Unable to contact the ▪ 1/3 incidents (33%) involved a coyote growling at caller. Unable to contact the caller caller for more information for more information ▪ 1/3 incidents (33%) involved a coyote “aggressively approaching” caller and dog. Unable to contact the caller for more information • Out of 86 coyote related reports, 33 (38%) reports were updated to the correct behavior types. o 8 …
Proposed Additions to ASO Strategic Plan Spay Neuter (Page 13) • Goal 2: Add language to Strategy A as noted in underlined terms so that sentence is: “Partner with volunteers and organizations that support community cats to identify opportunities to enhance, reduce barriers to, and maximize the impact of trap-neuter-return programs. Open Intake (Page 14) Open Intake (Page 15): • Goal 1: Add Strategy C as follows: “C. Develop methods to identify and implement policies to prioritize emergency cases and most at-risk animals for immediate intake.” • Goal 3: Remove “Get” in title. • Add language to Strategy A as noted in underlined terms so that sentence is: “Review, research, and provide recommendations on policies, regulations, processes, and programs that advance pet- friendly policies (e.g., restrictions on pet rent, pet deposits, breed restrictions, and weight limits), seeking review and/or approval from governing bodies as applicable. Live Release (Page 16): Live Release (Page 17): • Goal 1: Add Strategy G as follows: “G. Develop and implement plan to foster media partnerships and increase opportunities for media coverage.” • Goal 2: Add Strategy E as follows: “E. Analyze and explore opportunities for fixed satellite adoption centers in high-traffic locations.”
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250210-005 Date: February 10, 2025 Subject: Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 Motioned By: Commissioner Nilson Recommendation The Animal Advisory Commission recommends the Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 as written, with the following modifications passed by the Commission: Seconded By: Vice Chair Linder Spay Neuter (Page 13) • Goal 2: Add language to Strategy A as noted in underlined terms so that sentence is: “Partner with volunteers and organizations that support community cats to identify opportunities to enhance, reduce barriers to, and maximize the impact of trap-neuter- return programs. Open Intake (Page 14) Open Intake (Page 15): Live Release (Page 16): Live Release (Page 17): Open Intake (Page 26): • Goal 1: Add Strategy C as follows: “C. Develop methods to identify and implement policies to prioritize emergency cases and most at-risk animals for immediate intake.” • Goal 3: Remove “Get” in title. • Add language to Strategy A as noted in underlined terms so that sentence is: “Review, research, and provide recommendations on policies, regulations, processes, and programs that advance pet-friendly policies (e.g., restrictions on pet rent, pet deposits, breed restrictions, and weight limits), seeking review and/or approval from governing bodies as applicable. • Goal 1: Add Strategy G as follows: “G. Develop and implement plan to foster media partnerships in English and Spanish and increase opportunities for media coverage.” • Goal 2: Add Strategy E as follows: “E. Analyze and explore opportunities for fixed satellite adoption centers in high-traffic locations.” • Goal 1, Measures 1 and 2: Request that those measurements be categorized for strays and owner surrenders and listed by the number of animals in each category as well. 1 of 2 Vote For: Chair Clinton, Vice Chair Linder, Commissioners Dulzaides, Herrera, Huddleston, Nemer, Nilson, Smagula, and Tucker. Against: n/a Abstain: n/a Absent: Commissioner Hoke Recuse: Commissioner Holt Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] Christi Vitela Animal Advisory Staff Liaison 2 of 2
