Annual Internal Review — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2021 to 6/30/2022 Austin Animal Advisory Commission (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: The purpose of the board is to advise the City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on Compliance with Texas Health and and Safety Code Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters); advise the City Council 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 Department; advise the Travis County Commissioners Court on animal welfare policies; promote the collaboration between the City, private institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting activities relating to animal welfare in the City; identify proactive, creative approaches to engage and facilitate communication within the animal welfare community; and foster and assist the development of animal welfare programs in the community. 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. • Received quarterly reports from staff (and APA) on issues directly related to Chapter 823 compliance at the Austin Animal Center and TLAC. • Received monthly Animal Services reports. • Received monthly Austin Animal Center reports. • Provided a forum for public comment and discourse on animal issues. Annual Review and Work Plan 2021-2022 Page The Commission created or carried over the following Work Groups to study and possibly recommend action on these issues: • Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin • Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs • Shelter Space Issues Working Group Actions taken by the Commission during the year: • The Commission passed recommendations to address the Austin Animal Center’s space crisis and asked for additional monthly reports on the following: the numbers of animals pled to Austin Pets Alive! for medical reasons and declined; the number of animals hospitalized and length of hospitalizations; and the outside vendors, vendors costs, including which animals receive medical services and by whom. • The Commission strongly recommended to APD that the APD’s Cruelty Division not be cut and any cuts made recently be restored. • The Commission Amended the Commission’s Bylaws to allow for the formation of a Committee to Maintain No Kill. • The Commission recommended that City Council review, analyze, and take action regarding revisions to the Fire Code Requirements for Austin non-profit and commercial animal shelters, including boarding facilities. • The Commission Commission recommended that the City Council approve $100,000 in the FY23 budget to be used to make microchipping of pets free (and therefore equitable) in the City of Austin, at least until that amount is spent. • The Commission resubmitted to the City Council the recommendations of the Space Crisis Working Group originally passed on 8/9/21. • The Commission voted to support the Revision of the Fowl Enclosure Ordinance passed by the Public Health Commission. • The Commission established a No Kill Committee. • The Commission recommended that the City Council be aware of the recent violations of the City Ordinance § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL, sections (C), (I), and (J) at the Austin Animal Center. The Commission further recommended that the City Council monitors the implementation of our suggestions to the AAC to resolve this issue. • The Commission resubmitted their recommendation of 2/8/21 that City Code 3- 4-7, Vicious Dog, be amended. • The Commission recommended to the City Council that they pass the Human Resources Living Wage Recommendation for all city workers. • The Commission passed a resolution that state that 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. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. Annual Review and Work Plan 2021-2022 Page The actions taken by the Animal Advisory Commission throughout the year comply with our mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • The Commission plans to continue to work through the current budget process to help the Shelter secure the resources it needs to effectively meet the Austin Community’s and Travis County’s needs. • The Commission plans to continue to search for a funding stream to provide financial support for wildlife rescue efforts in Travis County. • The Commission plans to support No Kill, which is a moving target, and will require new and evolving strategies as this concept of a truly humane sheltering paradigm progresses.