20201012-4b: Animal Advisory Commission HASS Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20201012-4b Seconded By: Nancy Nemar Date: October 14, 2020 Subject: Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Motioned By: Craig Nazor Recommendation The Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin Animal Services participate in the HASS pilot program as a tier 1 city. Description of Recommendation to Council HASS will fundamentaly transform animal sheltering from the outdated 120 year-old pound/shelter model into the human animal support services model that emerged during the COVID-19 crisis. This new model will provide community based support and services that value all humans, all animals and their bond. What are the goals? • Rehoming without using the shelter kennel • Lost and Found without using the shelter kennel • Keeping Pets with Family by providing medical and behavioral support • Public Safety Reimagined • Intake to Placement ASAP What is HASS? ● HASS provides CASE Management to find the RIGHT pathway for each individual animal and person ● HASS is creating a network of community fosters who are able to accept animals instead of putting them in a shelter kennel ● HASS is sheltering animals who have no other legitimate option ● HASS is a transition - as programs are built, animals and people use those programs What HASS is not. ● HASS is NOT leaving animals on the streets to die ● HASS is NOT forcing people to be part of the network of support ● HASS is NOT preventing animals from entering the shelter who really need to be there ● HASS is NOT a sudden beginning 1 of 2 Rationale: HASS will be the most significant change to Animal Services any of us will ever participate in. Therefore it is our expectation and request that the City Council do the following as part of any resolution. a. Set up a task force of city employees, citizens, commission members and public officials to work on fully integrating Animal Services with Human Services initiatives. b. Set clear performance metrics that show shift in services, budget, efficacy of new programs and outcomes. Vote For: 8 Against: 3 Abstain: 1 Absent: one vacancy Respectfully submitted. Attest: AAC Chair 2 of 2