20220613-004E: Vote of No Confidence — original pdf

Recommendation

ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2022613-004 Commissioner Neuhaus Resolution of No Confidence Seconded By: Commissioner Nemer Date: 6/13/22 Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation The Resolution is one of No Confidence. It is the City Council’s prerogative to decide how to respond. Description of Recommendation to Council RESOLUTION: WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Center (Center) is operated by a Chief Animal Services Officer; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has consistently failed to provide the Animal Advisory Commission (Commission) with the data necessary to monitor the ongoing status of the Austin City Council (Council)-mandated No-Kill Policy; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has disregarded the guidance of the Commission and violated the City of Austin’s stray-hold ordinance which has exposed the City to legal liability, and caused the placement of animals the City did not yet own and should have held for possible reunification with their owners; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer’s monthly reports are confusing, misleading, incomplete, and lack transparency to the Commission and to the public; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has alienated partnership organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders, which has contributed to shelter overcrowding and lack of volunteer support for shelter pet care and adoptions; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has failed to adequately manage or support lifesaving foster and volunteer programs and to engage the willing public to help; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has failed to provide adequate services to help reunite or assist taxpayers with lost or found animals; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has ceased to provide or substantially reduced animal- related services to the public on Sundays, citing inaccurate and incomplete information to support their rationale; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has stopped providing intake and pet owner support services on weekends, when they are generally most-needed by Austin residents; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has not indicated they plan to reinstitute animal services previously provided to Austin residents; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer refuses to implement data-driven, best practices to alleviate the ongoing space crisis; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer refuses to prioritize the use of taxpayer funds to address the most urgent needs of the shelter; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has consistently failed to tell the public about or market the ‘long stay’ dogs, despite lengths of stay in excess of one year; and 1 of 2  WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer’s out-of-state transport program contributes to the space crisis, denies taxpayers a selection of highly adoptable pets, and moves animals to kill communities which is incompatible with the Council-mandated No-Kill Policy; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has not responded to Commissioners’ requests for data on the out-of-state transport program; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer refuses to collaborate with the volunteer dog behavior support group who utilizes rewards-based training and is now sending Austin Animal Center dogs to a trainer known to use shock and prong collars; and WHEREAS, the Chief Animal Services Officer has repeatedly refused to accept help from or collaborate with Austin animal stakeholders that could provide immediate, free help to solve the problems the shelter is facing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AUSTIN ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION: The Commission does not have confidence that Austin’s Chief Animal Services Officer has or will demonstrate the ability to achieve and sustain the Council-mandated goals of Austin’s No-Kill Policy, or provide the services the taxpayers should receive from their municipal shelter. Rationale: This is explained in the Resolution. Vote For: 8 Against: 1 Abstain: 3 Absent: 1 (vacant) Attest: 2 of 2