REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION September 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 West 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 or in person, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Sarah Huddleston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 11, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. 3. Staff briefing on Updated Process for Euthanasia Notification by Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Update on the implementation of the prohibition of the purchase of and usage of all glue traps at City-owned and/or City-managed facilities based on the Animal Advisory Commission’s Recommendation 20241014-007. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the Animal Advisory Commission Annual Internal Review. 6. Approve an update to the membership of the Strategic Plan 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 Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact …
Animal Advisory Commission Minutes August 11, 2025 Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, August 11, 2025 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Room 1101 in Austin, Texas. Commissioner Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Travis County Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners Absent: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Heather Meyer - AAC Operations Comments Rochelle Vickery - Cat Trapping and Shelter Needs Shelly Leibham - Restore emergency vet funding Julie Oliver - AAC Operations Comments Max Oliver - Restore emergency vet funding Suzie Chase - Austin Pets Alive! Update 1 Animal Advisory Commission Minutes August 11, 2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on July 14, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on July 14, 2025 was approved on Commissioner Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on an 11-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer and Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Services Office. The presentation was made by Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer and Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Services Office. Staff briefing on Close Out Report on Goodfix Spay and Neuter Clinics and current Spay and Neuter count provided by Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer and Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Services Office. The presentation was made by Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Services Office and Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Animal Services Office. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Discussion of the Bond Election priorities as it relates to the delivery of animal services. Discussed. Discussion of heart worm testing and monthly preventative for animals at the Austin Animal Center. Discussed. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 6. Good Fix Working Group recommendation regarding animal welfare policies and marketing priorities. Item taken up with Item 7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding animal welfare policies and marketing priorities. The motion to …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 __ Austin Animal Advisory Commission__ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per City Code Section 2-1-102) is: Advise the city council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters), city code, and council objectives. Advise council and Travis County Commissioners Court on animal welfare policies and on budget priorities identified by the Commission and the community, except on issues related to the administration of the Animal Services Division. Promote collaboration between the City and interested parties relating to animal welfare in the city. Identify proactive, creative approaches to engage and facilitate communication within animal welfare community, and foster and assist the development of animal welfare programs in the community. Promote collaboration between the City and private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting activities relating to animal welfare in the City. The commission may study, advise, and report on policy recommendations it deems effective to promote animal welfare outcomes consistent with City goals and objectives as outlined by City Council and the City Manager. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Reference all reports, recommendations, letters or resolutions presented to the City Council on mission-specific issues. If some of the elements of the mission statement were not acted on by the board in the past year, the report should explain why no action was taken.) Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # In FY 2024, the Austin Animal Advisory Commission: • Held monthly public meetings other than a planned lack of meeting in November 2024 and the May 2025 meeting being cancelled due to lack of quorum • Received public comment on animal issues • Provided a public forum for monthly reports on Animal Services and operations at the Austin Animal Center • Received quarterly briefings from Austin Pets Alive • Received briefings from City staff regarding the Animal Services Office Strategic Planning Process • Received feedback and conducted discussion regarding the draft Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 • Received briefings from City staff regarding the implementation of Animal Services Office Strategic Plan 2025-2030 • Received briefings and presentations from City staff regarding: Bond Election Advisory …
August 2025 AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT 1 On May 5, 2025, Animal Services transitioned to a new database for shelter management. This transition is ongoing and has potentially impacted data reporting. Austin Animal Center Data is partially incomplete due to systems transfer. • The live outcome rate for August was 95.70%. • A total of 964 animals were brought to the shelter which included 544 cats, 411 dogs, 4 rabbits, 2 reptiles, a bird and a guinea pig. • A total of 604 animals were adopted (147 adult dogs, 68 puppies, 260 kittens, 120 adult cats, 4 rabbits, 4 guinea pigs, and a rodent). • A total of 64 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On August 1, there were 1306 animals within the ASO inventory. • On September 1, there were 1241 animals within the ASO inventory. Animal Protection Data is partially incomplete due to systems transfer. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 7 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 6 fencing assistance applications and implanted 1 microchip(s). • Officers impounded 32 injured animals and 114 regular or sick animals. • Officers submitted 35 specimens for rabies testing. We had 7 positive bats, 3 decomposed bats, and 1 destroyed skunk. Wildlife Data is partially incomplete and does not include non-coyote wildlife. • There were 30 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 12 sightings, 9 wild sick, 6 encounters, 2 incidents, 1 wild speak • Out of 30 coyote related activities, 20 (67%) reports fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and observation) o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 4/6 (67%) of encounters reported 1/6 encounters (17%) involved a coyote barking at the caller 1/6 encounters (17%) involved a coyote chasing after a dog in off-leash dog trail 1/6 encounters (17%) involved two coyotes following caller and off leash dog 2/6 encounters (33%) involved dogs chasing after coyotes with mange 1/6 encounters (17%) coyote followed caller o Incidents: Pets were a factor in 2/2 (100%) of incidents reported 1/2 incidents (50%) involved a coyote killing two outside unsupervised feral cats 1/2 incidents (50%) did not have anything stated in the memo and could not make contact with caller. Volunteer Data …
Reporting AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES Animal Advisory Commission September 8, 2025 Rolando Fernandez Jr. Animal Services Interim Director Jason Garza Animal Services Deputy Director Monthly Reporting AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES 2 AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER MONTHLY DATA The live outcome rate for August was 95.70%. 964 animals were brought to the shelter 604 animals were adopted 64 dogs and cats were returned to their owners August 1, 2025 1306 animals in the ASO inventory September 1, 2025 1241 animals in the ASO inventory 3 ANIMAL PROTECTION FIELD DATA Field Return to Owner (RTO) Fencing Applications Impounded Injured Impounded Regular or Sick Rabies Specimens In-Field Owner Surrenders 7 6 32 114 35 21 WILDLIFE COYOTES Coyote Related Activities 30 Activities Breakdown 9 wild sick 2 incidents 12 sightings 6 encounters 1 wild speak 4 VOLUNTEERING HOURS OVERVIEW 577 volunteers contributed 7,440.07 hours 4 orientations, introducing 115 potential volunteers 18 Community Service Restitution individuals to perform 200.25 hours 39 individuals donated 78 hours toward group volunteer service, through dog-walking and cat care SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook • 1.22 million page views • 321,000 unique individuals • 33,000 content interactions Instagram • 1 million page views • 112,000 unique individuals • 40,000 content interactions 5 FOSTER AND RESCUE In August, 21 different rescue partners pulled a total of 261 domestic animals from the Austin Animal Center. • 426 different people/families fostered. • As of September 2 @ 8:56 a.m. there are 339 animals in foster care. • 21 animals were a part of Finder to Foster • More than 162 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • 155 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 1001 approved foster care providers 6 VET SERVICES • 515 spay/neuter surgeries were performed in August. • 1644 animals were vaccinated. • 0 visibly pregnant animals were spayed. • 261 animals were transferred to rescue organizations. • 35 animals were euthanized in July. • 28 for severe injury, neurological, congenital, cardiac, suffering, toxicity, or agonal reasons. • 7 for court ordered euthanasia. 7 Process for Notification AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES 8 URGENT PLACEMENT LIST ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER The Urgent Placement List (UPL) is used to inform the public, rescue groups, stakeholders, and partner organizations about dogs in urgent need of placement. The UPL will be updated regularly, maintained as a live resource on the ASO website, and distributed weekly to all subscribed stakeholders. The UPL is made of …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Rolando Fernandez Jr., Interim Animal Services Officer September 4, 2025 Updated Process for Notification to Rescue Organizations The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a follow-up to the June 11, 2025 Animal Services Office (ASO) memo regarding Notification of Euthanasia, Dog Behavior and Risk Assessments, and Process Improvements. After receiving feedback from professional staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, ASO is initiating improvements in two key areas 1) identification of animals earlier in the process for rescue only options with proper notifications, and 2) identification of public safety risk animals sooner to move forward with the necessary steps to identify an appropriate outcome with proper notifications. Urgent Placement List ASO will continue to use the Urgent Placement List (UPL) to inform the public, rescue groups, stakeholders, and partner organizations about dogs in urgent need of placement. The UPL will be updated regularly, maintained as a live resource on the ASO website, and distributed weekly to all subscribed stakeholders. To improve transparency and clarity, the UPL will categorize dogs into the following groups: 1. Exhibit behavioral concerns, 2. A bite history that does not pose a public safety threat; or 3. Experience a poor-quality of life. Rescue Placement List By the 5th business day of the month, ASO will publish a new notification list titled the Rescue Placement List (RPL). The RPL will identify dogs with: • A bite history and/or significant behavioral concerns that pose a threat to public safety if placed without specialized support. Dogs on the RPL are only eligible for placement through qualified rescue partners equipped to provide the behavioral rehabilitation and structure required for these animals to become safe in a community setting. Placement on the RPL communicates that a dog’s only available outcome is either rescue or humane euthanasia. PAGE: DATE: SUBJECT: 2 of 3 August 25, 2025 Updated Process for Notification to Rescue Organizations The week after the RPL is published, ASO will provide notification to stakeholders on the euthanasia listing to inform the 5-Business Day Commitment period. A summary email is provided including all ASO efforts to place dog. During this time, ASO will collaborate with rescue organizations to explore placement opportunities. Each request for rescue will be reviewed based on: • • The dog's behavioral and bite history and …
