Item 7: Annual Internal Review Report Draft — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2026 Name of Board or Commission Animal Advisory Commission Has the board or commission's actions throughout the year complied with City Council directives and bylaws? Yes. If No, please explain N/A. How many recommendations did your board or commission approve? The Commission approved 10 recommendations during the July 2025 through June 2026 review period. Please list the recommendation numbers. 20250714-010 20250811-007 20251013-008 20260309-004 20260309-005 20260309-006 20260309-007 20260413-006 20260511-009 20260608-008 Which recommendations are closely aligned to the organization's core mission and why? All recommendations are aligned with the Commission’s core mission to advise City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court on animal shelter compliance, animal welfare policies, budget priorities, collaboration, communication within the animal welfare community, and the development of animal welfare programs. The most directly aligned recommendations are those addressing shelter operations, humane care, live outcome support, staffing, enrichment, adoption access, pet retention, community cats, breed labeling, and animal welfare policy: 20250714-010, 20250811-007, 20260309-004, 20260309-005, 20260309-006, 20260309-007, 20260413-006, 20260511-009, and 20260608- 008. Which recommendations are adjacent to the organization's core mission and why? Recommendation 20251013-008, Bird Friendly Design, is adjacent but still relevant because it addresses broader animal welfare and wildlife protection through City policy and built- environment practices. Pet Friendly Housing (20260413-006) also intersects with housing policy but remains closely connected to animal shelter intake prevention and pet retention. Please share any further context that could support or explain your recommendations. During the review period, the Commission received regular Austin Animal Services briefings, reviewed shelter data and outcome reports, received public comment, considered budget needs, discussed shelter capacity and animal care concerns, and used working groups to develop policy recommendations. Recurring themes included shelter overcrowding, live outcomes, animal enrichment, staffing stability, pet retention, adoption access, community cats, data transparency, off-leash dogs, and responsible animal welfare policy. Is there another body that overlaps with the role and work of the board or commission you serve? Yes. If yes, which body? Austin Animal Services, Austin City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court, and related City departments or advisory bodies when policy issues intersect with housing, public health, parks, wildlife, or environmental design. Please explain their alignment. The Animal Advisory Commission provides focused public input and policy recommendations related to animal welfare. Austin Animal Services implements shelter operations and programs. City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court make policy and budget decisions. Other boards or departments may overlap when issues involve housing, public spaces, wildlife, public health, or City facilities. Do the bylaws need to be updated? No. If yes, what would be the amendment and why? N/A. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged are the board or commission members? 8. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged is the community? 9. Do you see any gaps in important policies that are not currently covered by a board or commission? No List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • Continue reviewing Austin Animal Services reports, shelter data, and programs to support compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 and City animal welfare goals. • Establish an annual process for earlier review of budget priorities to allow sufficient • discussion, stakeholder input, and development of recommendations. Increase Commission familiarity and review of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 responsibilities to better support the Commission’s advisory role regarding animal shelter compliance. • Strengthen the Commission’s process for tracking recommendations after approval, including improved follow-up on outcomes and actions taken. • Provide thoughtful review and recommendations regarding animal welfare policies, budget priorities, and community needs. • Support proactive programs that improve humane care, reduce preventable shelter intake, increase live outcomes, and strengthen pet retention. • Encourage collaboration among Austin Animal Services, Travis County, nonprofit organizations, rescue partners, volunteers, advocates, veterinarians, and the broader animal welfare community. • Evaluate opportunities to improve community animal welfare through prevention strategies, including access to services, public education, and responsible pet ownership initiatives. • Continue discussion of community concerns including shelter capacity, foster and adoption support, public safety, and the relationship between people, pets, wildlife, and shared spaces. • Promote transparency, accessible communication, and meaningful community engagement in animal welfare issues affecting Austin and Travis County. Statement of the board’s mission and a description of the board’s actions in furtherance of that mission during the previous calendar year Mission Statement (Austin City Code § 2-1-102): The Animal Advisory Commission shall: 1. Advise the City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters), City Code, and Council objectives; 2. 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; 3. Advise the Travis County Commissioners Court on animal welfare policies; 4. Promote collaboration between the City and private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting activities relating to animal welfare in the City; 5. Identify proactive, creative approaches to engage and facilitate communication within the animal welfare community; 6. Foster and assist the development of animal welfare programs in the community; and 7. Study, advise, and report on policy recommendations it deems effective to promote animal welfare outcomes consistent with City goals and objectives. Actions in furtherance of the mission: During the reporting period, the Commission advanced its mission by reviewing Austin Animal Services reports and shelter data, receiving public input, evaluating community animal welfare challenges, and developing recommendations intended to improve outcomes for animals and residents. The Commission approved recommendations addressing a broad range of priorities, including community cat programs, animal welfare outreach, bird-friendly design, shelter staffing and resources, animal enrichment, technology improvements, pet-friendly housing, expanded adoption opportunities, and shelter breed-labeling practices. The Commission also served as a public forum for discussion of issues affecting Austin and Travis County, including shelter capacity, spay/neuter access, pet retention, foster and adoption programs, volunteer engagement, responsible pet ownership, and collaboration among governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, rescue partners, advocates, and community members. Through these efforts, the Commission worked to encourage proactive solutions, promote humane outcomes, strengthen collaboration and transparency, and provide informed recommendations that support the needs of animals and the broader community. Title Brief Description FOR REFERENCE: Recommendation # 20250714-010 Safety and Efficiency Protocols with the Austin Animal Center’s Community Cats Program 20250811-007 Animal Welfare Policies and Marketing Priorities 20251013-008 Bird Friendly Design 20260309-004 20260309-005 20260309-006 20260309-007 FY27 & FY28 Budget Recommendation Regarding Animal Care Positions FY27 & FY28 Budget Recommendation Regarding Staff Dog Walkers FY27 & FY28 Budget Recommendation Regarding Animal Enrichment Specialist FY27 & FY28 Budget Recommendation Regarding Expected, Ongoing, Necessary Hardware 20260413-006 Austin Pet Friendly Housing 20260511-009 Expanding Access to Pet Adoption Through Satellite Adoption Centers 20260608-008 Shelter Breed Labeling Policies Recommended improvements to Community Cat Program processes to support humane outcomes, operational efficiency, communication, and program effectiveness. Supported improved communication and outreach strategies related to animal welfare programs, including efforts to increase public awareness and participation. Recommended policies supporting bird-safe building practices and design standards to reduce preventable wildlife injury and mortality. Recommended funding to convert long-term temporary Animal Care positions into permanent positions to support animal care and shelter operations. Recommended continued funding for staff dog walker positions to support enrichment, animal welfare, and shelter capacity management. Recommended funding for a dedicated enrichment position to improve behavioral health and quality of life for animals in shelter care. Recommended funding for technology and equipment needs to improve shelter operations, efficiency, and data management. Recommended policies and collaboration to expand pet-friendly housing options, reduce housing-related pet relinquishment, and support keeping pets with families. Recommended increasing adoption opportunities through additional locations and partnerships to improve visibility and placement of shelter animals. Recommended reducing reliance on unverified breed labels in shelter communications while maintaining required information, supporting accurate representation and adoption opportunities.