REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on May 11, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Animal Services Donation Fund. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services, Jason Garza, Assistant Director , Austin Animal Services, and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Approve the election of Chair. Update and Discussion from the Off Leash Dog Working Group regarding working group focus areas. Approve the addition of members to the Off Leash Dog Working Group. Approve the addition of members to the Foster Incentives Working Group. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding breed labeling policies in shelters. Approve the Annual Internal Review Report for Animal Advisory Commission. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Norton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz – State of Animals in Texas Sandra Muller – Transparency in Reporting Pat Valls Trelles – Donations Fund Rochelle Vickery – No food to people who have no record of spay or neuter 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026. The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the May 11, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Nilson was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. Update provided by Commissioner Holt. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Nilson as Chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-2 vote. Vice Chair Norton, Parliamentarian Daniel, and Commissioners Ferguson, Holt, Huddleston, and Maron were for. Commissioners Ahmed and Nemer were against. Commissioners Dulzaides, Loignon, and Van Landingham abstained. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. The motion to approve the creation of …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Norton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz – State of Animals in Texas Sandra Muller – Transparency in Reporting Pat Valls Trelles – Donations Fund Rochelle Vickery – No food to people who have no record of spay or neuter 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026. The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the May 11, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Nilson was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. Update provided by Commissioner Holt. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Nilson as Chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-2 vote. Vice Chair Norton, Parliamentarian Daniel, and Commissioners Ferguson, Holt, Huddleston, and Maron were for. Commissioners Ahmed and Nemer were against. Commissioners Dulzaides, Loignon, and Van Landingham abstained. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. The motion to approve the creation of …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – May2024-2026 May 2026 Intake May2025 Intake Chameleon ShelterBuddy – 1194 animals May2024 Intake May 2026 Adoption May2025 Adoptions Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Adoptions May 2026 RTOs May2025 RTOs Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 RTOs May 2026 Animal Euthanized May2025 Animals Euthanized Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Euthanized May 2026 Live Release Rate May2025 Total Live Release Rate Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Total Live Release Rate May 2026 Vaccinations – 2184 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. May2025 Animal Vaccinations May2024 Animal Vaccinations May 2026 – Spay/Neuter at AAC May2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC May 2026 Deaths in Care May2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster May 2026 Animals Transferred (includes 64 cats that went through SNR) May2025 Animals Transferred: Chameleon ShelterBuddy Includes 45 cats that went to AHS for SNR May2024 Animals Transferred May 2026 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May 2026 SNR Program – As noted above, 64 cats went through SNR May2025 SNR Program Chameleon May2024 SNR Program May 2026 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO May2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20260608-008 Recommendation to Council Regarding Breed Labeling Policies WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, research has found that the vast majority of dogs at animal shelters are composed of three or more breeds; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); . 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services- drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, “mixed breed” is an acceptable designation …
Updates, Reports and Briefings Austin Animal Services | June 8, 2026 Upcoming Events 2 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments Completed action items in the past 30 days Empty the Shelter Event Partnered with Bissel Pet Foundation to adopted out 269 animals including 78 cats, 47 kittens, 108 dogs, 33 puppies, and 2 rabbits! Programs and Socials Started the second cohort of dogs in the Enduring Service program! Improvements to shelter presence Added billboard sign on HWY 71 promoting the shelter and events Enhance Staffing Hired temporary Public Information Specialist and onboarded intern to support marketing activities. 4 Monthly Reporting May 2026 Jason Garza, Assistant Director 1,376 animals were impounded this month. May 2026 (FY26) saw 1,286 domestic animals impounded at AAS. This is a 22% increase from April 2026 which brought in 1,053 domestic animals to the shelter. The remaining number was wildlife. Intake Sources A breakdown of the sources for intake. Most animals came from stray brought in by the public. The number of strays impounded increased by 50%. 498 385 307 111 35 21 Stray from Public APO Impound Community Cat Owner Surrender Returned to Shelter APD | TCSO Emergency Clinic Born in Care Abandoned APO DOA Impound Wildlife Animals Impounded A breakdown of impounded animals by species and/or age. Fowl 6 Bird 3 Kittens 600 Rabbits 11 Wildlife 53 Puppies 104 Dogs 288 Cats 294 6 46 animals were euthanized this month* Animals Euthanized A breakdown of animals euthanized this month by species and/or age. Reasons for Euthanasia This chart shows the breakdown of reasons for euthanasia by animal. Each bar is equal to 100% of the euthanasia reason category. Kittens 8 Dogs 3 Wildlife 13 Cats 22 Kitten 7 Wildlife 1 Cat 18 0 Wildlife 10 Kitten 1 Wildlife 1 Dog 2 Cat 2 Wildlife 1 Cat 2 Dog 5 Dog 1 Suffering Rabies Risk Dog 0 Trauma Dog 0 DB4 Bites Injured Neuro Court Order 7 May 2026 had a live-release rate of 96.11 percent This means that of all companion animal outcomes for the month of May, 96.11 percent or 1064 were “live” and involved adoption, rescue transfer, return-to-owner, etc. Live Outcomes by Animal Type This chart shows how many of each animal type had a positive or live outcome during May. Breakdown per Outcome Type This chart shows the breakdown of each kind of live outcome by the number of …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – May2024-2026 May 2026 Intake May2025 Intake Chameleon ShelterBuddy – 1194 animals May2024 Intake May 2026 Adoption May2025 Adoptions Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Adoptions May 2026 RTOs May2025 RTOs Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 RTOs May 2026 Animal Euthanized May2025 Animals Euthanized Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Euthanized May 2026 Live Release Rate May2025 Total Live Release Rate Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Total Live Release Rate May 2026 Vaccinations – 2184 vaccinations were provided to animals in care of Austin Animal Services. May2025 Animal Vaccinations May2024 Animal Vaccinations May 2026 – Spay/Neuter at AAC May2025 Spayed/Neuter at AAC Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Spayed/Neutered at AAC May 2026 Deaths in Care May2025 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster May 2026 Animals Transferred (includes 64 cats that went through SNR) May2025 Animals Transferred: Chameleon ShelterBuddy Includes 45 cats that went to AHS for SNR May2024 Animals Transferred May 2026 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May2025 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing May 2026 SNR Program – As noted above, 64 cats went through SNR May2025 SNR Program Chameleon May2024 SNR Program May 2026 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO May2025 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO Chameleon ShelterBuddy May2024 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
Updates, Reports and Briefings Austin Animal Services | June 8, 2026 Upcoming Events 2 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments Completed action items in the past 30 days Empty the Shelter Event Partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation to adopted out 269 animals including 78 cats, 47 kittens, 108 dogs, 33 puppies, and 2 rabbits! Programs and Socials Started the second cohort of dogs in the Enduring Service program! Improvements to shelter presence Added billboard sign on HWY 71 promoting the shelter and events. Enhance Staffing Hired temporary Public Information Specialist and onboarded intern to support marketing activities. 4 Monthly Reporting May 2026 Jason Garza, Assistant Director 1,366 animals were impounded this month. May 2026 (FY26) saw 1,306 domestic animals impounded at AAS. This is a 22% increase from April 2026 which brought in 1,060 domestic animals to the shelter. The remaining number was wildlife. Intake Sources A breakdown of the sources for intake. Most animals came from stray brought in by the public. The number of strays impounded increased by 50%. Stray from Public APO Impound Community Cat Owner Surrender Returned to Shelter APD | TCSO Emergency Clinic Born in Care Abandoned APO DOA Impound Wildlife 497 380 305 112 35 21 5 4 3 3 1 Animals Impounded A breakdown of impounded animals by species and/or age. Rabbits 11 Wildlife 60 Fowl 5 Birds 3 Puppies 104 Dogs 285 Cats 290 Kittens 598 6 48 animals were euthanized this month Animals Euthanized A breakdown of animals euthanized this month by species and/or age. Reasons for Euthanasia This chart shows the breakdown of reasons for euthanasia by animal. Each bar is equal to 100% of the euthanasia reason category. Kittens 8 Dogs 3 Wildlife 13 Cats 22 Kitten 6 Wildlife 1 Cat 17 Kitten 1 Wildlife 2 Dog, 2 Cat 2 Wildlife 1 Kitten 1 Cat 2 Puppy 1 Cat 1 Wildlife 10 Dog, 1 Suffering Injured Neuro Agonal Rabies Risk 7 May 2026 had a live-release rate of 96.16 percent This means that of all companion animal outcomes for the month of May, 96.16 percent or 1100 were “live” and involved adoption, rescue transfer, return-to-owner, etc. Live Outcomes by Animal Type This chart shows how many of each animal type had a positive or live outcome during May. Breakdown per Outcome Type This chart shows the breakdown of each kind of live outcome by the number of …
Off-Leash Dogs Working Group Draft June 2026 Working Group Members Animal Advisory Commission • Whitney Holt • Jo Anne Norton Non-Commission • Pat Vals-Trelles City of Austin Staff • ?? Issues Considered by the Working Group • Misinformation about existing laws, especially on social media platforms (Any impact HB 285 “Pancho’s Law”) • New Austinites may not know about existing laws • Off-leash dogs on parkland that is on-leash only – Citizens cannot safely enjoy City parkland • Off-leash dogs in neighborhoods (owned dogs) – Citizens cannot safely walk in their neighborhood • Options for citizens to report issues • Continued education and data monitoring Citizen Concerns Gathered from NextDoor, emails, conversations about off- leash dogs in on-leash areas and neighborhoods • Chase bikes potentially causing accidents • Run up to strollers or citizens with walking aides • Poop not scooped because owners are on their phones or talking to others • Not enough tickets written for violations • Dogs run up to random adults and children • Dog owners are not trained to break up dog fights Data • 311 and 911 call data related to off-leash dogs in parks and neighborhoods • One year lookback (6/01/2025 through 5/31/2026) – # of calls by category (loose dog, SBI) – APO follow up on 311 and 911 calls • # of suggestions for fencing • Action taken for repeat calls • # of visits/letters to pet owners who let their pets go loose • Future - Lookback after a year to confirm education is making an impact Raising Awareness About Existing Off-Leash Laws • Develop educational plan – Review collateral – Create messaging – Explore social media platforms – Other • Sessions at libraries • CM newsletters
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number:20260608-008 Recommendation to Council Regarding Breed Labeling Policies WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, research has found that the vast majority of dogs at animal shelters are composed of three or more breeds; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); DRAFT . 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services- drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, “mixed breed” is an acceptable designation …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on April 13, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Approve the election of Chair. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. Approve the creation of a Working group that creates incentives for city and county employees who foster an animal for Ausin Animal Shelter and the addition of members. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding breed labeling policies in shelters. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Satellite Adoption. Approve an update to the membership of the Pet Friendly Housing Working Group. Approve an amendment to the Rules and Procedures regarding the order of public comment. Approve the appointment of a chair and committee members OR the dissolution of the No Kill subcommittee. FUTURE AGENDA …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 13, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Nilson called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Erin Ferguson, D8 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners Absent: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Sarah Huddleston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers Shelly Leibham – Dog overpopulation Julie Oliver – Data inconsistencies Lynette Cox – TNR process for community cats 1 Pat Valls-Trelles - Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on February 9, 2026. The minutes of March 9, 2026, regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during April 13, 2026, regular meeting on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Dulzaides’ second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Ahmed, Clinton, and Huddleston were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding deceased animal recovery services. Presentation by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. Presentation given by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Quarterly report from Animal Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the reprioritization of the legislative priority list sent to the Austin Government Relations Office in February. Discussed. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments was approved on Commissioner Dulzaides’ motion, Commissioner Daniel’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION 20260511-009 EXPANDING ACCESS TO PET ADOPTION THROUGH SATELLITE ADOPTION CENTERS WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off-site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City staff across the appropriate departments shall research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in re-imagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals. Date of Approval: Motioned by: Seconded by: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Recuse: Off Dais: Absent: Attest:
Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | May 11, 2026 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments on the Horizon! Completed action items in the past 30 days Clear the Crates! We sent out (adoptive, foster, or transfer) 103 animals in late April/early May with 60 being cats and 41 dogs, of which 29 were large breed adults! That is 29 more animals than last month during the same period which included 17 more large breed adult dogs! Process Improvement Continued work on pathways and transfer protocols Added extra day of surgery for animals who need extra support Programs and Socials Implemented Doggie Day Out Graduation for inaugural Enduring Service program dogs Improvements to shelter presence Added event calendar to the website Enhance Staffing Including VS positions in citywide market study to improve recruitment and retention 3 What does the horizon plan look like for May? 30 Community Engagement • Implement Marketing plan Enhance Staffing • Relaunch kennel cleaning study with adjusted Animal Care schedules • Continue recruiting for one lead and two technicians for Vet Services Process Improvement • Finalize dates for Maddie’s Fund Clinic Consultation for efficiency and S/N • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Procure Doobert a foster management tool • Procure Petzel a pet adoption follow up tool 4 What does the horizon plan look like for May? 30 Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 3 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Launch Dog Day Out to 4-5 days a week • Develop accountability plan Develop plan for reopening intake • Ongoing process • Work with APA on community-based solutions Social Presence • Update social messaging • Implement plan for socials 5 60 What does the horizon plan look like for May and June? Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 5 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Implement foster management tools • Offer Dog Day Out program 5 days a week Shelter and Process Improvements • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Implement Doobert foster management tool • Implement post-adoption tool Social Presence • Update engagement efforts • Implement Newsletter Develop plan for reopening intake • Reduce wait-time for intake 6 What does the horizon plan look like for May, June, and July? 90 Open Intake Planning • Open intake for all stray animals …
Recommendation to Council Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation 20260511-008 Regarding Breed Labeling Practices WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-serv ices-drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, the previous interim Director for Austin Animal Services had started the process of updating breed labeling practices to align with these goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Austin Animal Advisory Commission …
Resolution Regarding Breed Labeling Practices WHEREAS, accurate identification of a dog’s breed based solely on visual assessment has been widely shown to be unreliable without genetic testing even among animal welfare professionals and veterinary staff; and WHEREAS, labeling dogs as specific breeds—particularly “pit bull” or “pit bull mix”—based on appearance alone can misrepresent their true genetic makeup; and WHEREAS, many housing providers enforce breed restrictions that disproportionately impact dogs labeled as “pit bull” types, creating significant barriers for adopters seeking rental housing; and WHEREAS, such labeling practices can unintentionally reduce adoption rates and increase length of stay for affected dogs; and WHEREAS, a growing number of animal welfare organizations are adopting best practices that prioritize temperament, and individual characteristics over speculative breed identification including: 1. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), an open intake municipal shelter in Florida, stopped using breed labels in 2014, and an independent peer-reviewed study of OCAS’s outcomes data found that removing breed labels improved adoption rates and decreased lengths of stay for all dog types, with the greatest impact for pit-bull-type dogs (https://www.ocnetpets.com/); 2. Williamson County Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Texas, stopped using breed labels in 2017; most dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.wilcotx.gov/163/Animal-Shelter); 3. Memphis Animal Services, an open intake municipal shelter in Tennessee, stopped using breed labels in 2016; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://memphisanimalservices.com/); 4. DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, two open intake municipal shelters in Georgia managed by LifeLine Animal Project, stopped using breed labels in 2017 (https://dekalbanimalservices.com/; https://fultonanimalservices.com/); 5. Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an open intake municipal shelter in Virginia, stopped using breed labels in 2015; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/); 6. Rochester Animal Services, a managed intake municipal shelter in New York, stopped using breed labels in 2017; dogs are currently listed on their website as “mixed breed” (https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-serv ices-drhs/rochester-animal-services-ras); and WHEREAS, studies show that shifting to a “mixed breed” designation where lineage is unknown and distinct and undeniable breed traits are absent promotes fairness, reduces bias, and improves adoption outcomes for all dogs; and WHEREAS, the previous interim Director for Austin Animal Services had started the process of updating breed labeling practices to align with these goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Austin Animal Advisory Commission respectfully recommends City Council and the City …
A RESOLUTION OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL EXPANDING ACCESS TO PET ADOPTION THROUGH SATELLITE ADOPTION CENTERS WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off-site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council and the City Manager request City staff across the appropriate departments research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in reimagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals.
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260511-009: Expanding Access to Pet Adoption Through Satellite Adoption Centers WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to promoting animal welfare, supporting no-kill practices at Austin Animal Center, and achieving open intake; and WHEREAS, the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan published in 2025 cites “Research, analyze, and explore additional locations to offer ASO services throughout the community (i.e., new satellite locations, secondary locations)” as Humane Care Goal 2C as well as “Expand ASO’s community presence, including increasing participation in local events, hosting new activities, and building partnerships” as Live Release Goal 3C; and WHEREAS, overcrowding in our shelter strains our resources, greatly hinders intake capacity, and creates barriers to timely adoption; and WHEREAS, increasing the visibility and accessibility of adoptable pets has been shown to significantly improve adoption rates and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, Travis County contracts the City of Austin as part of their Animal Services Interlocal Agreement and also owns and operates various public facilities and properties that may be suitable for temporary or permanent use as satellite adoption centers; and WHEREAS, partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, as well as private businesses and community groups, could provide additional locations, volunteer staffing, and resources for off- site adoption efforts; and WHEREAS, establishing satellite adoption centers in high-traffic, community-centered locations throughout Austin and Travis County would reduce barriers to adoption, increase foot traffic exposure for animals, and enhance community participation in animal welfare initiatives; SO BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council and the City Manager request City staff across the appropriate departments research, and when appropriate, pilot satellite adoption center locations in Austin and Travis County; and SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin City Council shall offer full support in finding ways to reimagine the utilization of City owned or rented facilities so as to minimize the cost burden on residents and the Austin Animal Services Department in pursuit of these goals; and . SO BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Travis County Commissioners Court shall take equal ownership and innovative steps in reimagining the utilization of County owned and rented facilities in pursuit of these goals. Date of Approval: May 11, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Holt Seconded By: Vice Chair Norton Vote: 11-0 …
Austin Animal Services 5-Year Strategic Plan One Year Update Presented May 11, 2026 Agenda Introduction & Background Strategic Plan Summary Priorities & Progress Highlights Summary & Next Steps Questions? What’s the purpose of the new Strategic Plan? The plan is a roadmap for future initiatives and decisions. It guides resource allocation, performance targets, and future collaboration with stakeholders. How was it developed? The strategic plan was developed over an 8-month period with input from diverse stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, partners, and the community. The Working Group used feedback/information gathered from stakeholders, along with their own expertise in animal welfare, to develop the strategic plan during a series of workshops facilitated by an external consultant. How’s it going? Well! Since March 2025, many initiatives have begun to meet the priorities and goals established by the plan. 3 The strategic plan established six priorities: Humane Care Open Intake Public Health and Safety Spay Neuter Live Release Staff and Volunteers Each has goals and strategies to help achieve the priority. In total, there are eighteen (18) goals and sixty-four (64) strategies. 4 4Goals 11Strategies Humane Care “Meet animals’ physical and emotional needs and ensure a high quality of life for animals in shelter and foster care by providing enrichment, behavioral support, and well-maintained facilities.” INCREASE ENRICHMENT, SOCIALIZATION, AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES • Expanded dog play group activities • Implemented population rounds • Added Outcomes Consultant role OFFER TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR • Provided animal handling training for staff and volunteers 5 4Goals 11Strategies Humane Care “Meet animals’ physical and emotional needs and ensure a high quality of life for animals in shelter and foster care by providing enrichment, behavioral support, and well-maintained facilities.” Continued ENHANCE SHELTER CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION • Revised the Cleaning and Disinfecting Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) • Implemented inspections following SOP implementation IMPROVE CAMPUS FACILITIES AND PHYSICAL SPACES • Facilities enhancement was included in the proposed bond that is pending voter approval • Secured a third-party architect to develop construction plans for a small dog kennel with dedicated outdoor space 6 2 Goals 5 Strategies Spay Neuter “Reduce the number of stray, unowned, and unwanted animals by improving and increasing spay/neuter services.” INCREASE FREE & SUBSIDIZED SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES FOR OWNED ANIMALS • Increased free spay/neuter surgeries by 34.9% from FY2024 to FY2025 • 11,112 owned animals were spayed through clinics provided by contracted vendors in fiscal year 2025 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Norton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Jo Anne Norton, Vice Chair, D7 Jennifer Daniel, Parliamentarian, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Sarah Huddleston, D9 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz – State of Animals in Texas Sandra Muller – Transparency in Reporting Pat Valls Trelles – Donations Fund Rochelle Vickery – No food to people who have no record of spay or neuter 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026. The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the May 11, 2026 regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Nilson was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding Austin Animal Service’s Strategic Plan One Year Update. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services; Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services; and Melissa Pool, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Animal Services. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from Pet Friendly Housing Working Group regarding future recommendations. Update provided by Commissioner Holt. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the election of Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Nilson as Chair of the Animal Advisory Commission failed on Vice Chair Norton’s motion, Commissioner Holt’s second on a 6-2 vote. Vice Chair Norton, Parliamentarian Daniel, and Commissioners Ferguson, Holt, Huddleston, and Maron were for. Commissioners Ahmed and Nemer were against. Commissioners Dulzaides, Loignon, and Van Landingham abstained. Chair Nilson was absent. Approve the creation of a working group regarding policies related to off-leash dogs and the addition of members. The motion to …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Erin Ferguson, D8 Whitney Holt, D5 Sarah Huddelston, D9 David Loignon, D10 Julie Maron, D3 Nancy Nemer, Travis County JoAnn Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Erin Van Landingham, D1 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular meeting on March 9, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding deceased animal recovery services. Presentation by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Quarterly report from Animal Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! DICUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Approve the reprioritization of the legislative priority list sent to the Austin Government Relations Office in February. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments. Approve the election of Chair. Approve the election of Vice Chair. Approve the election of Parliamentarian. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please email or call Nekaybaw Watson at Austin …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 9, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Nilson called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Erin Ferguson, D8 David Loignon, D10 Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Koby Ahmed, Mayor Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Commissioners Absent: Ryan Clinton, Travis County Sarah Huddleston, D9 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robyn Katz Gonzalez – State of Animals in ATX Rochelle Vickery – Thanks to Pat Valls Trelles and Amy, Animal Control Response Concerns Julie Oliver- Capital Improvements in Bond and ADA Compliance within the Shelter Suzie Chase- Austin Pets Alive! Area Wide Adoption Event APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on February 9, 2026. The minutes of the February 9, 2026, regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during the March 9, 2026, regular meeting on Commissioner Ferguson’s 1 motion, Commissioner Loignon’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Clinton, Huddelston, and Norton were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. Approve the addition of new members to the Budget Working Group. Withdrawn. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to convert two animal care positions to regular full-time employees from temporary employees. The motion to approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to convert two animal care positions to regular full-time employees from temporary employees was approved as amended on Chair Nilson’s motion, Commissioner Loignon’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Clinton, Huddleston, and Norton were absent. The amendment was to insert “WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has, as one of the six priorities in the strategic plan as staff and volunteers with a specific goal to “enhance working conditions and build skilled support staff,” under the third WHEREAS statement. Approve a FY27/FY28 Budget Recommendation to Council to provide funding in the general budget for two dog …
Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | April 13, 2026 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments on the Horizon! Completed action items in the past 30 days Process Improvement Met with Doobert about foster management program Programs and Socials Developed marketing plan Created quarterly promo and events calendar Enhance Staffing Adjusted Animal Care Tech schedules to better meet business needs Feedback Met with groups of dog and cat volunteers Develop plan for re-opening intake Trying out different strategies Improvements to shelter presence Collaborating with volunteers for social strategy Updated the Lost & Found page on shelter website Became current with reporting data to Petco Love & Best Friends to apply for grants and compare national data 3 What does the horizon plan look like for April? 30 Community Engagement • Implement Marketing plan • Event calendar website built, but not yet updated Enhance Staffing • Continue interviewing for vacant vet techs positions • Analyze kennel cleaning study results Process Improvement • Continue work on pathways and transfer protocols • Maddie’s Fund Clinic Consultation for efficiency and S/N • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials 4 What does the horizon plan look like for April? 30 Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 3 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Launch Dog Day Out to 3 days a week • Develop accountability plan Develop plan for reopening intake • Ongoing process • Work with APA on community-based solutions 5 60 What does the horizon plan look like for April? Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 5 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Implement foster management tools • Offer Dog Day Out program 5 days a week Shelter and Process Improvements • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Continue recruitment for Vet Tech openings Social Presence • Update language and tone on socials • Implement Newsletter • Implement plan for socials Develop plan for reopening intake • Reduce wait-time for intake 6 What does the horizon plan look like for April? 90 Open Intake Planning • Open intake for all stray animals Foster Program • Identify 7 dogs for foster every day • Offer Dog Day Out program 7 days a week • Implement foster management tools Shelter Database • Evaluate volunteer module for effectiveness and potential future enhancements • Explore allowing …
Deceased Animal Recovery Services Austin Resource Recovery | April 13, 2026 Background Deceased animal collection provided daily, including some holidays Animals are collected from the rights-of way and the Austin Animal Center Employees assigned to north and south zones of city for collection Program does not collect livestock. Contact the county in which you reside for livestock removal: Travis County: (512) 974-0845 Williamson County: (512) 832-7000 2 Collection Process Residents contact Austin 311 via phone, online, or through app to create service request Requests completed within 24 hours of being created Domestic animals are scanned for microchips Microchip information is provided to Animal Services for pet owner notification 3 Metrics Over 6000 calls per year are processed for dead animal collection. Non-domestic animals (deer, opossum, squirrels, etc.)are largest category collected 4 Pet Search Requests All pet searches require department staff to check collection records Austin Resource Recovery received a total of 47 requests for FY25 Outcome will be provided to Animal Services to respond to resident requests 5 Cross Department Collaboration ARR collects deceased animals from the Austin Animal Center 3x per week Austin Watershed Protection retrieves deceased animals found in waterways and creates requests for ARR collection through 311 Parks and Recreation creates a service request through 311 for collection of deceased animals All other City departments create a service request through 311 for collection of deceased animals found on City property 6 Questions? Amy Slagle, Assistant Director Amy.Slagle@austintexas.gov Austin Resource Recovery
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260413-006]: Austin Pet Friendly Housing WHEREAS, Housing barriers remain one of the leading causes of pet relinquishment and families living in affordable or subsidized housing often face the greatest barriers to keeping companion animals, forcing many residents to choose between stable housing and keeping their pets; WHEREAS, 1506 pets were surrendered to Austin Animal Services in FY25 alone, in addition to an untrackable number of abandoned pets due to open intake hurdles, with conservatively $50 dollars per day being spent to maintain large dogs, and 2,500 existing publicly funded affordable housing units and approximately 49,800 subsidized housing units in Austin, making efforts to mitigate these impacts not just the compassionate choice, but the fiscally responsible one; WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Open Intake with a specific goal to “remove barriers to pet ownership through resources and policy change,” making it critical to identify upstream solutions that preventatively and proactively address the number of animals being surrendered to the shelter’s care or end up as homeless strays; WHEREAS, Pet-inclusive housing supports family stability, promotes public health, and reduces animal shelter intake by preventing unnecessary pet relinquishment due to housing restrictions; and that these policies are especially important for residents of affordable housing, who are disproportionately impacted by restrictive pet policies; WHEREAS, Austin has long been recognized as a national leader in animal welfare and implementing pet-inclusive housing standards in publicly funded developments would further demonstrate the City’s commitment to keeping families and their companion animals together; WHEREAS, Several states have recently adopted legislation addressing these barriers and creating models for pet-inclusive housing policy, including: 1. Nevada law requires that tenants in housing developed or rehabilitated with public affordable housing funds must be allowed to keep pets, while still permitting reasonable rules regarding sanitation, vaccination, leash requirements, and nuisance prevention. (Justia) 2. Colorado enacted legislation requiring affordable housing developments that receive public financing to permit residents to keep dogs or cats regardless of breed or size, while allowing reasonable management policies and modest limits on deposits or fees. (rentgrace.com) 3. California lawmakers have also advanced legislation aimed at ending blanket prohibitions on pets in rental housing and requiring landlords to provide reasonable justification for denying tenants the ability to keep companion animals, acknowledging that housing restrictions significantly limit access to housing for pet-owning families. (californiaglobe.com) NOW, THEREFORE, BE …
Reports and Updates Austin Animal Services | April 13, 2026 41 Dogs sitting in crates or in non-public areas that are available to adopt or foster. 27 days The average number of days available dogs spend in crates or non-public areas. 2 Any animal that is one foot or longer will have an adoption fee ONLY $5 !! Adopt now while this deal lasts!! 3 30-60-90 Day Horizon Plan Monica Dangler, Director Accomplishments on the Horizon! Completed action items in the past 30 days Process Improvement Met with Doobert about foster management program Programs and Socials Developed marketing plan Created quarterly promo and events calendar Enhance Staffing Adjusted Animal Care Tech schedules to better meet business needs Feedback Met with groups of dog and cat volunteers Develop plan for re-opening intake Trying out different strategies Improvements to shelter presence Collaborating with volunteers for social strategy Updated the Lost & Found page on shelter website Became current with reporting data to Petco Love & Best Friends to apply for grants and compare national data 5 What does the horizon plan look like for April? 30 Community Engagement • Implement Marketing plan • Event calendar website built, but not yet updated Enhance Staffing • Continue interviewing for vacant vet techs positions • Analyze kennel cleaning study results Process Improvement • Continue work on pathways and transfer protocols • Maddie’s Fund Clinic Consultation for efficiency and S/N • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials 6 What does the horizon plan look like for April? 30 Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 3 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Launch Dog Day Out to 3 days a week • Develop accountability plan Develop plan for reopening intake • Ongoing process • Work with APA on community-based solutions 7 60 What does the horizon plan look like for April? Foster Program • Weekly foster posts • Identify 5 dogs for foster every day • Daily foster emails • Implement foster management tools • Offer Dog Day Out program 5 days a week Shelter and Process Improvements • Develop communication strategy for kennel space protocol on Socials • Continue recruitment for Vet Tech openings Social Presence • Update language and tone on socials • Implement Newsletter • Implement plan for socials Develop plan for reopening intake • Reduce wait-time for intake 8 What does the horizon plan …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260413-006]: Austin Pet Friendly Housing WHEREAS, Housing barriers remain one of the leading causes of pet relinquishment and families living in affordable or subsidized housing often face the greatest barriers to keeping companion animals, forcing many residents to choose between stable housing and keeping their pets; WHEREAS, 1506 pets were surrendered to Austin Animal Services in FY25 alone, in addition to an untrackable number of abandoned pets due to open intake hurdles, with conservatively $50 dollars per day being spent to maintain large dogs, and 2,500 existing publicly funded affordable housing units and approximately 49,800 subsidized housing units in Austin, making efforts to mitigate these impacts not just the compassionate choice, but the fiscally responsible one; WHEREAS, Austin Animal Services has as one of its six priorities Open Intake with a specific goal to “remove barriers to pet ownership through resources and policy change,” making it critical to identify upstream solutions that preventatively and proactively address the number of animals being surrendered to the shelter’s care or end up as homeless strays; WHEREAS, Pet-inclusive housing supports family stability, promotes public health, and reduces animal shelter intake by preventing unnecessary pet relinquishment due to housing restrictions; and that these policies are especially important for residents of affordable housing, who are disproportionately impacted by restrictive pet policies; WHEREAS, Austin has long been recognized as a national leader in animal welfare and implementing pet-inclusive housing standards in publicly funded developments would further demonstrate the City’s commitment to keeping families and their companion animals together; WHEREAS, Several states have recently adopted legislation addressing these barriers and creating models for pet-inclusive housing policy, including: 1. Nevada law requires that tenants in housing developed or rehabilitated with public affordable housing funds must be allowed to keep pets, while still permitting reasonable rules regarding sanitation, vaccination, leash requirements, and nuisance prevention. (Justia) 2. Colorado enacted legislation requiring affordable housing developments that receive public financing to permit residents to keep dogs or cats regardless of breed or size, while allowing reasonable management policies and modest limits on deposits or fees. (rentgrace.com) 3. California lawmakers have also advanced legislation aimed at ending blanket prohibitions on pets in rental housing and requiring landlords to provide reasonable justification for denying tenants the ability to keep companion animals, acknowledging that housing restrictions significantly limit access to housing for pet-owning families. (californiaglobe.com) NOW, THEREFORE, BE …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 13, 2026 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Nilson called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Paige Nilson, Chair, D4 Jennifer Daniel, D6 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 David Loignon, D10 Jules Maron, D3 Jo Anne Norton, Parliamentarian, D7 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Erin Ferguson, D8 Nancy Nemer, Travis County Erin Van Landingham, D1 Commissioners Absent: Koby Ahmed, Mayor Ryan Clinton, Travis County Sarah Huddleston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers Shelly Leibham – Dog overpopulation Julie Oliver – Data inconsistencies Lynette Cox – TNR process for community cats 1 Pat Valls-Trelles - Requesting assistance for TNR volunteers via gas cards or gift cards to incentivize and reduce cost for volunteers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on February 9, 2026. The minutes of March 9, 2026, regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission was approved during April 13, 2026, regular meeting on Commissioner Holt’s motion, Commissioner Dulzaides’ second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Ahmed, Clinton, and Huddleston were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports. Presentation by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Presentation given by Monica Dangler, Director, Austin Animal Services and Jason Garza, Assistant Director, Austin Animal Services. Staff briefing regarding deceased animal recovery services. Presentation by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. Presentation given by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Quarterly report from Animal Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! Presentation given by Mara Hartsell, Quality of Care Director, Austin Pets Alive! DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the reprioritization of the legislative priority list sent to the Austin Government Relations Office in February. Discussed. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding pet friendly housing policies in public funded housing developments was approved on Commissioner Dulzaides’ motion, Commissioner Daniel’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners …
