Item 2: Monthly Reporting Austin Animal Services — original pdf

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Reporting AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES Animal Advisory Commission September 8, 2025 Rolando Fernandez Jr. Animal Services Interim Director Jason Garza Animal Services Deputy Director Monthly Reporting AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES 2 AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER MONTHLY DATA The live outcome rate for August was 95.70%. 964 animals were brought to the shelter 604 animals were adopted 64 dogs and cats were returned to their owners August 1, 2025 1306 animals in the ASO inventory September 1, 2025 1241 animals in the ASO inventory 3 ANIMAL PROTECTION FIELD DATA Field Return to Owner (RTO) Fencing Applications Impounded Injured Impounded Regular or Sick Rabies Specimens In-Field Owner Surrenders 7 6 32 114 35 21 WILDLIFE COYOTES Coyote Related Activities 30 Activities Breakdown 9 wild sick 2 incidents 12 sightings 6 encounters 1 wild speak 4 VOLUNTEERING HOURS OVERVIEW 577 volunteers contributed 7,440.07 hours 4 orientations, introducing 115 potential volunteers 18 Community Service Restitution individuals to perform 200.25 hours 39 individuals donated 78 hours toward group volunteer service, through dog-walking and cat care SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook • 1.22 million page views • 321,000 unique individuals • 33,000 content interactions Instagram • 1 million page views • 112,000 unique individuals • 40,000 content interactions 5 FOSTER AND RESCUE In August, 21 different rescue partners pulled a total of 261 domestic animals from the Austin Animal Center. • 426 different people/families fostered. • As of September 2 @ 8:56 a.m. there are 339 animals in foster care. • 21 animals were a part of Finder to Foster • More than 162 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • 155 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 1001 approved foster care providers 6 VET SERVICES • 515 spay/neuter surgeries were performed in August. • 1644 animals were vaccinated. • 0 visibly pregnant animals were spayed. • 261 animals were transferred to rescue organizations. • 35 animals were euthanized in July. • 28 for severe injury, neurological, congenital, cardiac, suffering, toxicity, or agonal reasons. • 7 for court ordered euthanasia. 7 Process for Notification AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES 8 URGENT PLACEMENT LIST ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER The Urgent Placement List (UPL) is used to inform the public, rescue groups, stakeholders, and partner organizations about dogs in urgent need of placement. The UPL will be updated regularly, maintained as a live resource on the ASO website, and distributed weekly to all subscribed stakeholders. The UPL is made of dogs that: • Exhibit behavioral concerns, • Have a bite history that does not pose a public safety threat; or • Experience a poor-quality of life. Staff and volunteers document behavior changes in dogs throughout their stay in the shelter. Screenshot of current UPL page on Austin Animal Center’s website showing some of the acronyms used in behavioral documentation. 9 RESCUE PLACEMENT LIST AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED RESCUE PARTNERS ONLY By the 5th business day of the month, ASO will publish a new notification list titled the Rescue Placement List (RPL). The RPL identifies dogs with: The week after the RPL is published, ASO will provide notification to stakeholders on the euthanasia listing to inform the 5-Business Day Commitment period. • A bite history; and/or • Significant behavioral concerns that pose a threat to public safety if placed without specialized support. Dogs on the RPL are only eligible for placement through qualified rescue partners equipped to provide: • Behavioral rehabilitation; and • Structure required for these animals to become safe in a community setting During this time, ASO will collaborate with rescue organizations to explore placement opportunities. Each request will be reviewed based on: • The dog's behavioral and bite history and its potential threat to public safety if placed without specialized support; and • The rescue organization's ability to manage and support the dog responsibly. Following the 5-Business Day Commitment period, ASO will issue a 48-hour euthanasia notice, per Austin City Code §3-1-26, to rescue organizations who have opted into the notification list. Placement on the RPL communicates that a dog’s only available outcome is either rescue or humane euthanasia. If no viable rescue option is confirmed, humane euthanasia will proceed. 10 BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT OBSERVATION AND INFORMED PLACEMENT OPTIONS ASO begins behavioral observations at intake, documenting observations from: • Community members or field officers who observed the dog prior to intake • Staff and volunteers during shelter interactions Observations help establish a behavioral profile for each dog and inform placement decisions throughout the animal's stay at ASO. For dogs with a bite history, ASO has formalized an internal review process titled the Dunbar Team. The Dunbar Team will be responsible for assessing each bite incident to ensure consistency in dog bite classification using the following criteria: • Descriptions of the incident • Photos and/or videos of the resulting injuries • Classification using the Dr. Ian Dunbar Dog Bite Scale ASO is developing two new behavior programs to increase live outcomes and improve safety and quality of life: • Behavior Modification Support Program – to design and implement targeted interventions • Continuous Behavioral Monitoring – to track progress and adjust plans throughout the dog’s time in ASO care BITE ASSESSMENT DR. IAN DUNBAR DOG BITE SCALE A classification system, adopted by City Council on February 1, 2024, that ensures consistency, transparency, and accountability in determining bite severity and risk. Evaluations support safer outcomes and more informed decision-making. 11 PROCEDURE TIMELINE EUTHANASIA NOTIFICATION Rescue Placement List Published By the 5th business day of every month, ASO publishes RPL and contacts all rescue organizations to assist with rescue placement for each dog. Code 3-1-26 Euthanasia Notification Released After the 5-Business Day Commitment period, ASO sends a 48-hour euthanasia notice, per Austin City Code §3-1-26, to rescue organizations. A summary email is provided including all ASO efforts to place dog. The week after the RPL is published, ASO will send Notification to stakeholders on the euthanasia listing to inform the 5-Business Day Commitment period. A summary email is provided including all ASO efforts to place dog. 5-Business Day Commitment Period ASO holds dogs for 2-Business Days and is responsive to any confirmed request for rescue placement. If no rescue is confirmed, ASO will proceed with euthanasia. ASO Two Day Hold Period 12 ROLANDO FERNANDEZ JR. INTERIM DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL SERVICES Rolando.Fernandez@austintexas.gov JASON GARZA DEPUT DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL SERVICES Jason.Garza@austintexas.gov