REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 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 February 9, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Approve the addition of new members to the Budget Working Group. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to convert two animal care positions to regular full-time employees from temporary employees. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to provide funding in the general budget for two dog walkers. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to provide funding in the general budget for one animal enrichment specialist. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to provide funding in the general budget for expected, ongoing, necessary hardware upgrades. 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 may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please email or call Nekaybaw Watson at …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 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 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Erin Ferguson, D8 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: David Loignon, D10 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Sara Mitran – Austin Resource and Recovery Deceased Animal Procedure Robyn Katz Gonzalez – State of Animals in ATX Craig Nazor – Birds and Bats Rochelle Vickery – Dog pickup and care assistance near airport Pat Valls Trelles – Introduction and support of Rochelle Vickery Shelly Leibham – Spay and Neuter Event Reminder APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on January 12, 2026. The minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission regular meeting on January 12, 2026 were approved during the Animal Advisory Commission regular meeting on February 9, 1 2026 on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Parliamentarian Norton’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Loignon was absent. 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. Presentation given 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. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding an overview of the Austin Animal Services FY 26-27 budget. Presentation by Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. 6. Update from the Pet Friendly Policy Working Group regarding updates from previous meetings and legislative priorities. Withdrawn Update from the Strategic Plan Working Group regarding progress in most recent meeting. Update given by Commissioner Ferguson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve a list of legislative priorities to be supported by the commission for the upcoming legislative session. …
Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | March 9, 2026 Updates and Upcoming Events March 2026 Monica Dangler, Director Upcoming Events March 22, 2026 Who Let the Dogs Out On March 22, Borracho Pro is bringing the action to the shelter for a special charity wrestling event benefiting Austin Animal Services! This event helps raise critical resources to support the animals in our care. • • • Adoptable dogs and cats onsite Shelter tours + ways to get involved Admission is donation-based! Bring in wish-list items or donate directly — every contribution goes to helping the animals!! Come for the wrestling. Stay for the animals. March 11, 2026 Upcoming Closure On March 11, Austin Animal Services will be closed for a day of staff development and training. Staff training is essential to successful and safe shelter operations in alignment with Austin Animal Services’ Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Staff and Volunteer priority, Goal 1, Strategy A and D. This month’s training will be focused on safety including CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) trainings. Emergency field services will remain available throughout the closure and normal operations will resume on March 12, 2026. 3 3 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments on the Horizon! Completed action items in the past 30 days Process Improvement Evaluation of plea process for large dogs to rescues New Programming Dog's Day Out and Paw-jama Party begin this month and are on track to expand in the future. Enhance Staffing As of Monday, March 9, there are only 3 open Vet Tech positions! Onboarding has begun and offers have been extended to candidates. Improvements to shelter database Volunteer access has been implemented! Volunteer mentors received training and access. Additional training has been scheduled for all volunteers. Initial feedback sessions conducted Engagement with staff and stakeholders is ongoing. Develop plan for re-opening intake Explored foster management tools 5 What does the horizon plan look like for March? 30 Community Engagement • Develop a marketing plan with measurable goals and performance metrics to promote • Pet placement • Events • community education and engagement • capacity management, and • emergency communications. • Create a monthly in-shelter event calendar with success metrics Enhance Staffing • Onboard 3 Vet Techs and recruit 3 additional Vet Techs • Conduct Kennel cleaning time study 6 30 What does the horizon plan look like for March? Process …
Fiscal Year 2026 February 2026 Updates and Upcoming Events March 22, 2026 Who Let the Dogs Out On March 22, Borracho Pro is bringing the action to the shelter for a special charity wrestling event benefiting Austin Animal Services! This event helps raise critical resources to support the animals in our care. Adoptable dogs and cats onsite Shelter tours + ways to get involved Admission is donation-based! Bring in wish-list items or donate directly — every contribution goes to helping the animals!! Come for the wrestling. Stay for the animals. March 11, 2026 Upcoming Closure On March 11, Austin Animal Services will be closed for a day of sta(cid:431) development and training. Sta(cid:431) training is essential to successful and safe shelter operations in alignment with Austin Animal Services’ Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Sta(cid:431) and Volunteer priority, Goal 1, Strategy A and D. This month’s training will be focused on safety including CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) trainings. The public will be informed of the closure through multiple channels, including: The Austin Animal Services website 3-1-1 A media release Social media platforms Advance and day-of signage posted on campus Emergency field services will remain available throughout the closure and normal operations will resume on March 12, 2026. § 3-1-27 - Reporting by Animal Shelter (1) Number of impounded animals 35, Wildlife 2 Guinea 66 Kittens 159 Puppies 1 Reptile Fowl Rabbit Bird 289 Cats 266 Dogs Cat Dog Puppy Kitten Wildlife 823 Intakes February 2026 (FY26) saw 788 domestic animals impounded at AAS. There was an 11.46% increase from January 2026 which brought in 707 domestic animals to the shelter. This number excludes the categories of wildlife, bird (wildlife), opossums, and reptile (wildlife). (2) Number of animals euthanized a description of the animal, including age, species, and size, and the reason for euthanasia Animals Euthanized A breakdown of animals euthanized this month by species and/or age. 1 Fowl 4 Puppies 4 Dogs 6 Wildlife 28 13 Cats Animals Euthanized Animal Type Cats Wildlife Dogs Puppies Fowl Reasons for Euthanasia This chart shows the breakdown of reasons for euthanasia by animal. For example, all 6 animals euthanized for “rabies risk” were wildlife. 1 3 Puppies 2 Dogs 12 Cats 6 Wildlife 1 Puppy 1 Dog 1 Dog 1 Cat Suffering Rabies Risk Agonal DB5 Bites Injured Neurological Each …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-004]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Animal Care Positions WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has had two temporary positions in Animal Care that have been maintained long term and whose workload will be long term and ongoing; and WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific goal to “enhance shelter cleanliness and sanitation,” it is critical that motivated and skilled Animal Care workforce is valued and maintained; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to support the conversion of two Animal Care positions to regular full time employees from temporary employees. The estimated FY 2027 cost of this would be $169,895, which could largely be made up for by a reduction in part-time employee budget for Animal Care. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-005]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Staff Dog Walkers WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has had two positions for dog walkers that are both paid not from the general fund but from donations made to Austin Animal Services, but the services they provide are critical and on-going (at least until length of stay in the shelter for large dogs is dramatically reduced), WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific strategy to “enhance capacity to provide enrichment and socialization services,” it is critical to at least ensure that that the current dog-walking staff can be maintained regardless of donation proceeds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general budget for two staff dog walkers (Animal Enrichment Worker). The estimated FY 2027 cost of these two staff positions would be $169,895. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-005]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Staff Animal Enrichment Specialist WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has employed an animal enrichment specialist paid not from the general fund but from donations made to Austin Animal Services, but the services they provide are critical and on-going given shelter enrichment enhances adoptability of shelter animals, WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific strategy to “enhance capacity to provide enrichment and socialization services to all animals,” it is critical to at least ensure that the current enrichment specialist staff position can be maintained regardless of donation proceeds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general budget for a staff animal enrichment specialist. The estimated FY 2027 cost of this staff position would be $90,053. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-006]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Expected, Ongoing, Necessary Hardware Upgrades WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services general budget does not currently include funding for expected, ongoing, necessary hardware upgrades; and WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of a High-Performing Government that promotes operational efficiency; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Staff & Volunteers with a specific strategies of “[analyze] equipment needs for staff and volunteers, and take steps to address them”; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general expected, ongoing, necessary hardware upgrades. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-004]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Animal Care Positions WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has had two temporary positions in Animal Care that have been maintained long term and whose workload will be long term and ongoing; and WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific goal to “enhance shelter cleanliness and sanitation,” it is critical that motivated and skilled Animal Care workforce is valued and maintained; WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has, as one of the six priorities in the strategic plan as staff and volunteers with a specific goal to “enhance working conditions and build skilled support staff.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to support the conversion of two Animal Care positions to regular full time employees from temporary employees. The estimated FY 2027 cost of this would be $169,895, which could largely be made up for by a reduction in part-time employee budget for Animal Care. Date of Approval: March 9, 2026 Motioned By: Chair Nilson Seconded By: Commissioner Loignon Vote: 10-0 For: Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Linder, Commissioners Ahmed, Dulzaides, Daniel, Ferguson, Holt, Loignon, Nemer, and Van Landingham Against: Absent: Commissioners Clinton, Huddleston, Norton Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-005]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Staff Dog Walkers WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has had two positions for dog walkers that are both paid not from the general fund but from donations made to Austin Animal Services, but the services they provide are critical and on-going (at least until length of stay in the shelter for large dogs is dramatically reduced), WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific strategy to “enhance capacity to provide enrichment and socialization services,” it is critical to at least ensure that that the current dog-walking staff can be maintained regardless of donation proceeds. WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has, as one of the six priorities in the strategic plan as staff and volunteers with a specific goal to “enhance working conditions and build skilled support staff.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general budget for two staff dog walkers (Animal Enrichment Worker). The estimated FY 2027 cost of these two staff positions would be $169,895. Date of Approval: March 9, 2026 Motioned By: Chair Nilson Seconded By: Vice Chair Linder Vote: 10-0 For: Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Linder, Commissioners Ahmed, Dulzaides, Daniel, Ferguson, Holt, Loignon, Nemer, and Van Landingham Against: Absent: Commissioners Clinton, Huddleston, Norton Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-006]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Staff Animal Enrichment Specialist WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has employed an animal enrichment specialist paid not from the general fund but from donations made to Austin Animal Services, but the services they provide are critical and on-going given shelter enrichment enhances adoptability of shelter animals, WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of Economic and Workforce Development; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Humane Care with a specific strategy to “enhance capacity to provide enrichment and socialization services to all animals,” it is critical to at least ensure that the current enrichment specialist staff position can be maintained regardless of donation proceeds. WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has, as one of the six priorities in the strategic plan as staff and volunteers with a specific goal to “enhance working conditions and build skilled support staff.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general budget for a staff animal enrichment specialist. The estimated FY 2027 cost of this staff position would be $90,053. Date of Approval: March 9, 2026 Motioned By: Chair Nilson Seconded By: Commissioner Nemer Vote: 10-0 For: Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Linder, Commissioners Ahmed, Dulzaides, Daniel, Ferguson, Holt, Loignon, Nemer, and Van Landingham Against: Absent: Commissioners Clinton, Huddleston, Norton Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260309-007]: Austin Animal Services Budget Recommendation FY ’27 & FY ‘28 Regarding Expected, Ongoing, Necessary Hardware Upgrades WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services general budget does not currently include funding for expected, ongoing, necessary hardware upgrades; and WHEREAS, the city’s strategic plan includes a goal of a High-Performing Government that promotes operational efficiency; and WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Staff & Volunteers with a specific strategies of “[analyze] equipment needs for staff and volunteers, and take steps to address them;” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Animal Advisory Commission encourages the Austin City Council to provide funding in the general expected, ongoing, necessary hardware upgrades. Date of Approval: March 9, 2026 Motioned By: Chair Nilson Seconded By: Commissioner Dulzaides Vote: 10-0 For: Chair Nilson, Vice Chair Linder, Commissioners Ahmed, Dulzaides, Daniel, Ferguson, Holt, Loignon, Nemer, and Van Landingham Against: Absent: Commissioners Clinton, Huddleston, Norton Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
