REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 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 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Erin Ferguson, D8 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddleston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 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 12, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. 4. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing on the Austin Animal Services Department 30-60-90-day horizon plan. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding an overview of the Austin Animal Services FY 26 budget. Presentation by Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. 6. Update from the Pet Friendly Policy Working Group regarding updates from previous meetings and legislative priorities. Update from the Strategic Plan Working Group regarding progress in most recent meeting. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. 8. Approve a list of legislative priorities to be supported by the commission for the upcoming legislative session. Approve the formation and membership of a Budget Working Group in creating budget recommendations for the FY27 budget. 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 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 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 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 David Loignon, D10 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Erin Ferguson, D8 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz Gonzalez – State of the Shelter Sandra Muller – No Kill Rochele Vickrey – New Staff Changes APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on December 8, 2025. The minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission regular meeting on December 8, 2025 were approved during the Animal Advisory Commission regular meeting on January 12, 1 2026 as amended by Chair Nilson on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Dulzaides’ second on an 8-0. Commissioners Ahmed, Clinton, Holt and Huddleston were absent. The amendment was to strike Parliamentarian Norton’s name from the Commissioners in Attendance Remotely. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Rolando Fernandez, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Deputy Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation from Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Operations, Austin Pets Alive! regarding the quarterly reports and an update on the Barn Cats Program. Presentation given by Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Operations; Mara, Quality of Care Director; and Rory Adams, Director of Strategic Customer Service, Austin Pets Alive!. Final update on the recruitment process for the Austin Animal Services Director by Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager. Update given by Susana Carbajal, Assistant City Manager. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a list of legislative priorities to be supported by recommendation for the upcoming legislative session. The motion to write a letter to Carrie Rogers, of the Austin Government Relations, to request an extension of time to compile and share legislative priorities until February 9, 2026 was approved on Chair Nilson’s motion, Vice Chair Linder’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Ahmed, Clinton, Holt and Huddleston were …
Legislation Priorities 2/9/2026 Agenda ● Review our ask ● Texas Spay/Neuter Pilot Program ● Review Legislation Priorities ● Review Suggestions for Future Consideration ● Motion to Submit Priorities and Commissioner Contacts ● Discuss Priorities/Suggestions ● Amend Motion to Remove/Change Priorities and/or Contacts ● Present/Consider Additional Priorities/Contacts ● Amend Motion with Additional Priorities/Contacts ● Vote to Submit the List to the COA Government Relations Office Our Ask December 4, 2025 email from Government Relations: Please let us know if there are any legislative items your board or commission wishes to bring forward for consideration by City Council in its adopted 2027 state and federal legislative programs by January 30, 2026. Our goal is to have a good working list by the end of January, and we will concurrently spend a couple of months working through the items, following up, and ultimately bringing forward items to the City Council for consideration. Note: Extension granted so we could vote on a list at our 2/9/2026 meeting 2025 Texas Spay/Neuter Pilot Program (TXSPN) Request supporting continued funding ● Managed by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) ● ● Grants will provide direct financial support for spay/neuter services for dogs and cats $13 Million paid out 2026-2027 ○ All counties eligible ○ Dogs and cats owned by or in the custody of Texas residents, rescue organizations, animal shelters and government entities ● Does not impact “Animal Friendly Program” that subsidizes spay/neuter via license plate revenue ● Austin/Travis County Impact: Potential Funding to continue successful spay/neuter events Of Note While legislative changes at the State level are best, if viability is not there, a carve out giving counties their own legal authority to implement change would be an acceptable alternative. Priority Legislation to Support ● Virtual Veterinary Care/Telemedicine in Texas ○ Promoted by the Texas Humane Legislation Network ○ 89th Session - Senate Bill SB1442; House Bill HB3364 ○ AAS Veterinarian Dr Debbie Elliott testified in favor of this bill ○ Austin/Travis County Impact: ■ Less stress on pets going into the office ■ Makes it easier for aging adults and people with disabilities to own/keep their pets ■ Increases access to care for people who rely on public transportation or live in rural areas ■ Pets may get care they won’t otherwise get Priorities, continued ● Ethical Pet Sales Bill ○ Promoted by the Texas Humane Legislation Network ○ Stop puppy mills ○ ○ …
Fiscal Year 2026 January 2026 Updates and Upcoming Events FREE Spay/Neuter Event February 26 – March 2, 2026 11580 Stonehollow Dr., Austin, TX 78758 Participants must live in Austin or Travis County. “Enduring Service” Program Launched! AAS partnered with the Rehabilitation and Reentry Division at Travis County State Jail to launch the Enduring Service initiative. Enduring Service pairs eligible AAS dogs with incarcerated Veterans to help train, enrich, and care for the dogs. This program will help develop transferable skills to increase chances of employment upon release for participating Veterans. 12 dogs have been successfully placed at TCSJ at this time. Adoption Event Be My Pawlentine! February 13 – 15, 2026 $14 Adoption fees! Craft station to make a valentine for your favorite shelter pet, volunteer or staff member! Volunteers onsite to match you with your next true love! Shout out! Staff, Volunteers, Community members & Fosters! Several staff members went above and beyond by staying at the shelter during the cold weather event to care for all the animals. They were supported by volunteers who helped provide enrichment and care. In preparation for the weather, Foster Coordinators were able to get almost 90 dogs and cats out the door and into foster applications were warm, received, and 50 adoptions took place that weekend despite the icy conditions! foster homes. 112 § 3-1-27 - Reporting by Animal Shelter (1) Number of impounded animals January 2026 (FY26) saw 705 domestic animals impounded at AAS. There was an 12.4% increase from December 2025 which brought in 627 domestic animals to the shelter. the This number excludes categories of wildlife, bird (wildlife), opossums, and reptile (wildlife). 3 3 2 (2) Number of animals euthanized a description of the animal, including age, species, and size, and the reason for euthanasia Animal Breed Dog Dog Kitten Reptile (Wildlife) Bird (wildlife) Spanish Mastiff American Pit Bull Terrier Domestic Shorthair Turtle Goose - Brant Reason Aggression Court Order Injured Injured Injured Mammal Bat - Unspecified Rabies Risk Mammal Bat - Unspecified Rabies Risk Mammal Bat - Unspecified Rabies Risk Mammal Mammal Mammal Mammal Mammal Cat Rabbit Cat Cat Dog Cat Cat Skunk - Striped Bat - Little Brown Myotis Raccoon Skunk - Striped Bat - Little Brown Myotis Domestic Long Hair Bunny Rabbit Domestic Shorthair Domestic Shorthair American Pit Bull Terrier Domestic Medium Hair Domestic Shorthair Puppy Labrador Retriever Cat Cat Cat Dog Cat American Shorthair Domestic …
Outcome vs. Intake FY 26 Information is from October 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 Intake Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Outcome Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Difference of outcomes - intakes Dog totals Cat totals Totals Cats - Outcomes Adoption RTO/RTO Adopt Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing SNR (former SCRP) Total Dog - Outcomes Adoption RTO/RTO Adopt Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total 2026 1318 1664 2982 2026 1338 1854 3192 2026 20 190 210 2026 1218 82 243 94 40 2 195 1874 2026 656 258 367 42 13 2 1338
Reports and Updates Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | February 9, 2026 Updates and Upcoming Events January 2026 Monica Dangler, Director Upcoming Events For AAS and the Community Adoption Event Be My Pawlentine! February 13 – 15, 2026 $14 Adoption fees! Craft station to make a valentine for your favorite shelter pet, volunteer or staff member! Volunteers onsite to match you with your next true love! FREE Spay/Neuter Event February 26 – March 2, 2026 11580 Stonehollow Dr., Austin, TX 78758 Participants must live in Austin or Travis County. 3 3 Thank you! Staff, Volunteers, Community Members & Fosters! Several staff members went above and beyond by staying at the shelter during the cold weather event last month to care for all the animals. They were supported by volunteers who helped provide enrichment and care. In preparation for the weather, Foster Coordinators were able to get almost 90 dogs and cats out the door and into warm, foster homes. foster applications 112 were received, and 50 adoptions took place that weekend icy conditions! despite the 4 Enduring Service Partnership Program Launched in January AAS has partnered with the Rehabilitation and Reentry Division at Travis County State Jail to launch the Enduring Service initiative. Enduring Service pairs eligible AAS dogs with incarcerated Veterans to help train, enrich, and care for the dogs. This program will help develop transferable skills to increase chances of employment upon release for participating Veterans. 9 dogs have been successfully placed at TCSJ at this time. 5 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan January 2026 Monica Dangler, Director Horizon Plan 30-60-90 days Action items to launch in the next 30 days New Programming Dog's Day Out Paw-jama Party Enhance Staffing Recruit and onboard 6 Vet Technicians Kennel cleaning time study Develop plan for re-opening intake Improvements to shelter database Volunteer access Gather Feedback Develop action plans with staff and stakeholders Community Engagement Increased frequency of press releases Daily social media presence Create a monthly in- shelter event calendar with success metrics Process Improvement Pathway planning to assist animals’ movement Establish guidelines for kitten transfers Evaluation and plea process for large dogs to rescues 7 7 Monthly Reporting January 2026 Jason Garza, Assistant Director § 3-1-27 - Reporting by Animal Shelter Number of impounded animals January 2026 (FY26) saw 705 domestic animals impounded at AAS. There was an 12.4% increase from December 2025 which brought in 627 domestic animals …
