At the last Animal Advisory Commission meeting, there were concerns brought up that the Hold Period Ordinance was being violated due to the recent closures on Sundays. Animal Services staff reviewed the ordinance and confirmed the error – even though the shelter was open for reclaim on Sunday, the ordinance clearly defines business days to include adoption hours: “Each day the health authority's animal shelter is open to the public for reclamation and adoption is a business day.” Once the issue was brought up in the Commission meeting and the ordinance language was confirmed, all staff were immediately notified and adjustments to “available” dates have been made moving forward. Now, any animal impounded from Thursday through Saturday has their “available” date adjusted to add one more day for potential reclaim. As has been standard practice, when there is an upcoming holiday, then staff will add an additional day to the hold period. With this development, staff investigated the potential impact this had on adoptions and animals transferred to rescues. Staff reviewed all the animals that went to transport or adoption immediately after stray hold and did not find any incident where the owner surfaced after the animal was adopted or transported. ASO also did not, and has not, received a complaint or concern of a lost pet that was adopted or transferred before an owner was able to reclaim their animal. The Austin Animal Center is committed to compliance with the ordinance. Therefore, going forward, there will be an designated employee assigned to making and monitoring software changes made to the operations of Austin Animal Center. Many thanks to the Commission for bringing this to our attention. Impound # Animal ID Animal Type Primary Breed OS Reason Intake Condition Outcome Subtype Outcome Condition Days in Shelter K22-056092 K22-058493 K22-058495 K22-058496 K22-054075 K22-054190 K22-054200 K22-054413 K22-054414 K22-054824 K22-055039 K22-055154 K22-055371 K22-055377 K22-055442 K22-055669 K22-055691 K22-055692 K22-055704 K22-055968 K22-056048 K22-056081 K22-056091 K22-056276 K22-056336 K22-056340 K22-056389 K22-056390 K22-056594 K22-056620 K22-056687 K22-056903 K22-057307 K22-057383 K22-057384 K22-057651 K22-058474 K22-059275 K22-059802 K22-059850 K22-060606 K22-060668 K22-060669 K22-055720 K22-059733 K22-060736 K22-060564 K22-056972 K22-054130 K22-054402 K22-054470 K22-055035 K22-055036 A852576 A855737 A855738 A855739 A850215 A850339 A850352 A850581 A850583 A851067 A851315 A851425 A851705 A851714 A851789 A852063 A852088 A852089 A852103 A852431 A852531 A852565 A852574 A829508 A853010 A853016 A757158 A853082 A853376 A853408 A853486 A785339 A854261 A854342 A854343 A854665 A855719 A856625 A857239 A857290 A858209 A858275 A858276 A852121 A857167 A858356 A858171 A853857 A850272 A849667 A850646 …
§ 3‐1‐25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL. (A) An animal surrendered by its owner to the health authority is immediately abandoned by its owner and is the property of the health authority. The health authority may transfer, place, or sell an animal surrendered by its owner at any time after intake. (B) (C) (D) Except as provided in subsection (G), the animal shelter must not euthanize an animal before the animal has been impounded for seven business days and the notice requirements of Section 3‐1‐26 are either satisfied, or determined not to apply. Except as provided in subsection (D), the health authority shall hold an impounded animal not surrendered by its owner for a period of three business days following impoundment of the animal for owner reclamation. On the fourth business day, an impounded animal is the property of the health authority. In order to save the life of an impounded animal not surrendered by its owner, the health authority may transfer that animal to a 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3) (Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.) organization located in Travis County that is an animal shelter, animal rescue organization, or other animal‐ welfare organization prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (C) subject to the following conditions. (1) The health authority shall maintain documentation, in physical and electronic form reviewable by the public, of an animal transferred under this subsection, including a photograph of the animal and all information pertaining to the animal's impoundment and transfer, at the health authority and on the health authority's website for three business days following the impoundment of the animal at the health authority. (2) An animal transferred under this subsection is considered abandoned by its owner, and becomes the property of the transferee organization, upon the expiration of three business days from impoundment by the health authority. (3) Prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (D)(2), the transferee organization is the designated caretaker of the animal. (4) An animal transferred under this subsection remains subject to reclamation by its owner prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (D)(2). (E) An animal in the custody of the health authority solely for purposes of sterilization, vaccination, or microchipping, is not subject to a mandatory period of impoundment. The health authority is the designated caretaker, but not owner, of such animal during any period of …
L A W D E P A R T M E N T M E M O R A N D U M _________ Animal Advisory Commission Trish Link, Division Chief, Land Use and Real Estate June 10, 2022 Transfer of Ownership of Animals Impounded by the City To: From: Date: Subject: This memorandum addresses when ownership of an impounded animal that has not been surrendered by their owner is transferred to the City. Pets are considered property and an owner’s property rights are not automatically lost because their pet escapes or is lost. However, cities possess the power to enact ordinances that divest an owner of their ownership rights in their pets. A city that adopts such an ordinance must explicitly divest the owner of their ownership rights. See Lira v. Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue, 488 S.W.3d 300 (Tex. 2016). The City Code establishes when ownership transfers for an impounded animal. In accordance with the decision in Lira, the City Code explicitly divests a person of their ownership rights. Specifically, City Code Section 3-1-25 provides that the ownership of an impounded animal transfers to the City after three business days (the “hold period”). City Code provides that a business day is a day in which the animal shelter is “open to the public for reclamation and adoption”. When calculating the hold period, the date of the initial impoundment is not included. The transfer of ownership occurs when the hold period expires. This means that beginning the fourth business day, ownership of the impounded animal automatically transfers to the City. However, if the third business day falls on a Saturday when the shelter is open to the public, the transfer occurs on the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or City holiday. See City Code Section 1-1-5 (Calculation of Time). Allowing another person to adopt an impounded dog before the expiration of three business days does not determine whether liability would result. Whether the City would be liable in a particular instance is a fact-sensitive inquiry. Moreover, this would not be an offense under City Code Section 1-1-99 (Offenses; General Penalty). 1 of 1
Date: 6/10/22 Subject: ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2022610-001 Violation of City Ordinance § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL, sections (C), (I), and (J), and proposed resolution Commissioner Ryan Clinton Motioned By: Recommendation 1. We recommend that the City Council be aware of the recent violations of the City Ordinance listed below at the Austin Animal Center (AAC): § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL, sections (C), (I), and (J). Seconded By: Commissioner Neymer 2. We recommend that the City Council monitors the implementation of our suggestion to the AAC to resolve this issue. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. The Problem: Austin Animal Center has been adopting or transferring lost and stray pets while those pets are still on a legal 'stray hold' period. This means people who lose their pets are may not have had the opportunity to reclaim those pets before they were transferred to another custodian. This practice can be traced to the shelter's decision to close all services to the public on Sundays. There are likely Austin residents still searching for pets they don't know were ever in the care and custody of AAC and the City of Austin. The Commission believes it is imperative that AAC takes action to inform the public about what has occurred and to publicly post these pets that were not afforded their legal stray hold time. Background: In 2016, the Commission was asked by Austin Legal and the AAC Director to approve a new stray hold ordinance. This was the result of a then-recent verdict in a Texas State Supreme Court Case (Lira v. GHGSDR, Inc., 4/1/16) that occurred in the Houston area. The State of Texas deems animals to be “property,” and the City of Austin (COA), like the City of Houston, at that time did not have a clearly described procedure of how and when the ownership of a stray animal at the AAC was conveyed to the COA. Without a clear transfer of ownership, partner organizations and adopters of animals from the AAC were being put at risk of a lawsuit. The following proposed ordinance to correct this was passed by the Austin City Council in 2016: § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL. Particularly important to this discussion are sections (C), (I), and (J). During a discussion at our May 9, 2022 Commission meeting with the AAC Director, it became apparent that the AAC may …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-06-10 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 2022 APPROVED JULY 11, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a Special Called meeting on Monday, June 10, 2022, 7 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m. Chair Nazor conducted a roll call of those in attendance and confirmed a quorum of 11 commissioners. Four Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Norton, Herrera and Nilson. Seven Commissioners attended via teleconferencing: Mitchell, Neuhaus, Clinton, Nemer, Smagula, Hassen, and Dulzaides. Commissioner Jarl was absent. District 10 is vacant. Commission Members Absent: Jarl Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza 1. NEWS BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Hold Period Ordinance Commissioner Clinton proposed, and Commissioner Nemer seconded, that the Commission send a letter to City Council asking that the list of animals affected, starting from January 1, 2022, be analyzed and identified within two weeks; that the information be posted on Websites and social media for up to 90 days, alerting adopters and rescue groups. Commissioners voted 10 to 0, with one abstention, to approve the motion. Voting in favor were Commissioners Nazor, Clinton, Nemer, Mitchell, Neuhaus, Smagula, Hassen, Dulzaides, Herrera, and Nilson. Commissioner Norton abstained. ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Nazor adjourned the meeting without objection at 8:33 p.m. 1
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2022, 6 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at http://www.austintexas.gov/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. For remote participation, registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required. To register for remote participation, email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0565. AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides Dr. Paige Nilson 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Review and approval of minutes from the April 11, 2022, Animal Advisory Commission meeting 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports. b. COVID Update. c. Austin Pets Alive! Quarterly Report 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data. b. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin. c. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No Kill in Austin. d. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities. 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Austin Animal Center Space Crisis and Recommendations from the Space Crisis Working Group b. Austin Animal Center Staffing Request for FY 23 c. Resubmission of Vicious Dog Recommendation to Correct Language Error d. Revision to Fowl Enclosure Ordinance by Austin Public Health 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Belinda Hare at the Animal Services Office, at 512-978-0565, for additional information; TTY users …
20220322 Fowl Enclosure Amendment Posting Language Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 3-2-16 (Enclosures for Fowl) relating to enclosure setback distance. Lead Department Austin Public Health Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact Prior Council Action: November 21, 2013 – Council approved amendments to Part 3, Section 25-2-863(F) and Chapter 3-2 on a 6- 1 vote. The decision updated ordinance language relating to “raising, processing, and composting of fowl, rabbits, and aquatic foods . . . “ For More Information: Adrienne Sturrup, APH Director, 512-972-5167; Marcel Elizondo, Interim Assistant Director, APH Environmental Health Services Division, 512-978-0308; R. Lee Kelley, Interim Program Manager II, APH Environmental Health Services Division, 512-978-0341; Karen Rodela, Agenda Coordinator, APH, 512-972- 6473. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: No action to date. Additional Backup Information: Currently, the City regulates the distance between an animal enclosure and an adjacent residence or business structure. An enclosure used to keep two or more fowl must be located at least 50 feet from a residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business of the fowl’s owner or handler. Staff worked with the Office of Sustainability to identify how City regulations and policies can be amended to reduce the barriers of allowing residents in our community to raise fowl and provide an additional food source. Staff worked to identify other cities in Texas that have enclosure requirements in place. The investigation showed that some cities were more restrictive, while others were less restrictive. Of the cities that defined a setback distance in their code, 30 feet was the smallest setback distance defined. APH is recommending these changes: ▪ City Code Chapter 3-2-16 currently references 50 feet as the allowable distance for an enclosure from a residence or business structure. Amend Chapter 3-2-16: o Reduce setback distance from 50 feet down to 30 feet. o Incorporate a provision that allows APH to consider neighbor concerns on a case-by-case basis. Strategic Outcome(s): Health and Environment. APH EHSD 03/22/2022
Staffing request: • Animal Care Workers - 8, 6 new and converting 4 part-time temporary to 2 full-time • Animal Protection Officers - 2 • Animal Health Techs - 2 • Animal Enrichment Specialist - 6, 4 new and converting 4 part-time temporary to 2 full-time • Veterinarian - 1 • Foster/Rescue Coordinators - 3 • Customer Service Reps/ PRC- 4 • Certified Behaviorist - 1 Top 4 priorities #1 Customer Service Reps/ PRC - 4 Animal Protection Officers - 2 Certified Behaviorist - 1 #2 Animal Enrichment Specialist - 6, 4 new and converting 4 part-time temporary to 2 full-time Animal Care Workers - 8, 6 new and converting 4 part-time temporary to 2 full-time #3 IT Analyst – 1, this position could be moved back from Austin Public Health and the the budget to support it with no additional cost #4 Foster/Rescue Coordinators - 3
AAC Data April Monthly Data 2014 to 2022 Prepared by Kristen Hassen DATA SOURCES: This data was acquired directly from the AAC Boards and Commissions website from the AAC monthly reports for the meetings held in May 2016, May 2018, May 2020, and May 2022, all of which contained the information from the previous month (April). CHANGE IN REPORTING: It appears that in 2019, AAC stopped providing the more comprehensive, three-year comparison data report. The last comprehensive data report I could find for April was 2019. At some point in 2019, AAC also began reducing the qualitative “animal services report,” which provided metrics related to foster care, volunteerism, the pet resource center, communications and marketing, adoption events, and other information. Because of inconsistencies in reporting, I was unable to obtain enough consistent data to report on the following metrics for the eight-year period: ● Number of animals sent to foster care ● Number of animals in foster care ● Number of volunteers ● Number of foster caregivers ● Number of pets deferred by the pet support center ● Number of pets and people assisted by the pet support center COMPARATIVE METRICS NEEDED: Because the data I have found does not support any claim that AAC is facing an exceptional intake or capacity crisis, the following comparative metrics are necessary to gain an understanding of the current situation at AAC: ● Beginning and end of month kennel and foster census over a multi-year period. ● Length of stay information over a multi-year period broken up by species ● Data points from the Advisory Commission space working group. See summary HERE.
Historic AAC Foster and Volunteer Program Information -as it relates to current space situation at AAC- Prepared by Kristen Hassen’ Introduction: This document shows some foster and volunteer information, pulled directly from AAC animal services reports from 2016 to 2022. Links to the reports are included. Volunteer and foster programs are among the most critical programs for reducing the number of animals housed in the shelter. Volunteers are directly responsible for pets being adopted, fostered, and rescued and foster caregivers free up kennel space for incoming animals, reduce the length of stay of pets, and facilitate adoptions. I was only able to create one graph because the reported metrics vary depending on the year. It is recommended AAC use consistent metrics over multiple years in order to best understand the comparative data. Note on the below graph: 2020 data is indicated in the report as ‘primarily foster care.’ This is the first time that foster hours were counted in volunteer hours and it is unclear if AAC continues to count foster hours as volunteer hours, but this obviously skews the data significantly, at least for 2020 and possibly beyond, depending on if foster hours are still counted in the total of volunteer hours. Also of note is that we do not yet have the volunteer hours for April 2022 so I used the March hours from 2022, which should be relatively consistent with the April hours, but this chart should be updated once that total is provided. Takeaways: 1. AAC has shown over multiple years it is able to support 5,000 or more volunteer hours per month in April, up to more than 6,000. In March of 2022, AAC was still only at 3,233 hours total (unclear if foster is being counted in this total), which is well below what is possible and sustainable. More volunteers will reduce shelter stress and increase outcomes. 2. AAC stopped reporting hours for community service volunteers and volunteer groups 3. after 2019. It is unclear whether these programs are still active or not. Both of these programs can increase outcomes and provide much-needed exercise and enrichment which helps get pets adopted more quickly. It’s hard to tell much about the foster program from the April reports because reported metrics vary. What is most critical is to know total number of animals in foster care at beginning and end of the month over multiple years …
April 2022 April 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • The live outcome percentage for April was 97.4 percent. • A total of 1,067 animals were brought to the shelter, including 573 dogs, 428 cats, 46 wild animals, eight birds, six guinea pigs, four rabbits, and two reptiles. • A total of 419 animals were adopted (281 dogs, 132 cats, four small pets, and two birds). • A total of 132 dogs, cats, birds, and tortoises were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO- • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 38 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 44 fencing assistance applications and implanted three microchips. • Officers impounded 158 injured animals and delivered 95 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife • Officers entered 259 rabies exposure reports and submitted 45 specimens for rabies testing. Six bats tested positive for rabies and an additional five were considered non-negative due to being too decomposed to test. Animal Services News Adopt). Animal Protection Rescue. • Coyote Activities: 32 o Wild speak- 1 o Observation- 3 o Sighting- 18 o Encounter- 3 o Incident- 1 o Wild sick- 5 o Wild injured- 1 Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 255 volunteers donated 2,778.49 hours of volunteer service. April 2022 Animal Services Report • The Volunteer Coordinators held three orientations for new volunteers in April, introducing 87 people to the shelter programs. 114 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in April. • Forklift Danceworks event introduced around 1,000 people to volunteering and fostering for the shelter. • 83 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 150 different people/families fostered. • 108 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 810 members (approved fosters) in the foster program’s GivePulse group. • One pet died or was euthanized in foster care. • As of May 3, at 8:40 a.m. there were 235 animals in foster care. • 234 dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits were transferred to 21 local AAC Rescue Partners (compared to 224 animals to 26 partners for April 2021). • 93 dogs were transported to three out-of-state AAC Rescue Partners. • Two owner surrender appointments were posted to local AAC Rescue partners for intake deferral option. Vet Services • AAC vets performed 727 exams. • AAC vets spayed/neutered 367 animals; 99 percent of available animals have been sterilized. …
Proposed revision to Section 3-4-7 3-4-7 VICIOUS DOG. (A) An owner or handler shall take reasonable measures to protect the public from accidental contact with a dog that, by nature or by training, is dangerous to people or other animals. (B) [ An owner or handler may not keep or permit a dog to be in the city if the dog has] For purposes of this section, a vicious dog is a dog that, while running at large, has: [(1) on at least three separate occasions bitten or scratched a person in the city; (2) on at least one occasion bitten or scratched a person to an extent that the attending physician has presented an affidavit to the health authority stating that the person’s life may have been endangered by the dog; or (3) on at least one occasion:] [(a)] (1) killed a another dog, cat, or other domestic pet, fowl, or livestock, provided, however, that when the incident occurred, the killed animal was not in violation of a provision of this title relating to the confinement or physical control of animals in the City; or [(b)] (2) seriously injured another animal to an extent that an attending veterinarian has presented an affidavit to the health authority stating that the injured animal's life was seriously endangered or taken by the dog, or that the dog caused a significant permanent impairment of the injured animal’s basic bodily functions or mobility; provided, however, that when the incident occurred, the injured animal was not in violation of a provision of this title relating to the confinement or physical control of animals in the City. (C) If the Health Authority determines that a dog is a vicious dog as defined in subsection (B), the Health Authority shall notify the owner of that fact. (D) An owner, not later than the 15th day after the date the owner is notified that a dog owned by the owner is a vicious dog, may appeal the determination of the Health Authority to municipal court. An owner may appeal the decision of municipal court in the same manner as appeal for other cases from municipal court. (E) The owner of a vicious dog shall comply with the following conditions: (1) restrain the dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in an enclosure that prevents the escape or release of the …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-05-09 REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2022 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION APRROVED MINUTES The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on Monday, May 9, 2022, 6 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. and welcomed new District 4 Commissioner, Dr. Paige Nilson, to her first meeting. Chair Nazor conducted a roll call of those in attendance and confirmed a quorum of 10 commissioners. Seven Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Jarl, Clinton, Smagula, Herrera, Hassen and Dr. Paige Nilson. Three Commissioners attended via teleconferencing: Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Dulzaides. Commissioner Nemer joined the meeting at Old Business, Agenda Item 3b. Commissioner Norton was absent, and District 10 is vacant. Commission Members Absent: Norton Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Belinda Hare, Dr. Kathryn Lund, Abigail Varela, Rebekha Montie, Kelsey Cler, Sarah Luce, Mary Brown, Nicole Savage PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL Virtual: Emily Steinberg Eileen McFall Stephanie Loayza Zachary Loayza 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-05-09 In Person: Beverly Luna Ashley Niels Shelly Leibhan Rhonda Pickens Joann Molinyawe 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Jarl moved to approve the minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, April 11, 2022. Commissioner Dulzaides seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 10 to 0, with all Commissioners in attendance at the time voting approval: Nazor, Jarl, Clinton, Smagula, Herrera, Hassen, Dr. Paige Nilson, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Dulzaides. Commissioner Nemer joined the meeting at Old Business; Commissioner Norton was absent, and District 10 is vacant. 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports b. COVID Update c. Austin Pets Alive! Quarterly Report 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data b. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin c. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No d. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities No action. No action. Kill No action. No action. 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Austin Animal Center Space Crisis and Recommendations from the Space Crisis Working Group Commissioner Neuhaus moved to resubmit the recommendations from the Space Crisis Working Group; Commissioner Nemer seconded the motion which passed with a vote of 9 to 1 with one abstention. Nine commissioners voted for the proposal: Nazor, Jarl, Clinton, Smagula, Hassen, Mitchell, Neuhaus, …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2022, 6 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at http://www.austintexas.gov/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. For remote participation, registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required. To register for remote participation, email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0565. AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commission meeting a. Review and approval of minutes from the March 14, 2022, Animal Advisory 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports. b. COVID Update. 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data. b. Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs. c. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin. d. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No Kill in Austin. e. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities. 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Election of Officers b. Funding to Support Equitable Microchipping of Austin Pets c. Reported Space Crisis at Austin Animal Center 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Belinda Hare at the Animal Services Office, at 512-978-0565, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Board Liaison. Belinda Hare, 512-978-0565 or Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov
March 2022 March 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome percentage for March was 96.7 percent. • A total of 898 animals were brought to the shelter which included 541 dogs, 267 cats, 61 wild animals, 18 fowl, six guinea pigs, three rabbits, and two reptiles. • A total of 432 animals were adopted (283 dogs, 129 cats, 17 fowl, and three small pets). • A total of 118 dogs, cats, and one rabbit were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 46 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 18 fencing assistance applications and implanted three microchips. • Officers impounded 154 injured animals and delivered 95 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife • Officers entered 241 rabies exposure reports and submitted 35 specimens for rabies testing. One Rescue. skunk tested positive for rabies. • Coyote Activities: 32 o Sightings: 23 o Encounters: 3 o Incidents: 3 o Observations: 3 Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 260 volunteers donated 3,233 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held six orientations for new volunteers in March, introducing 197 people to the shelter programs. 77 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in March. March 2022 Animal Services Report • 71 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 140 different people/families fostered. • 112 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 764 members (approved fosters) in the foster program’s GivePulse group. *Note: Fosters that did not indicate they wished to remain active were removed in January. • Zero pets died or were euthanized in foster care. • As of April 1 at 8:50 a.m. there were 192 animals in foster care. • 181 dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits were transferred to 23 local AAC Rescue Partners (compared to 180 animals to 29 partners for March 2021). • 32 dogs were transported to seven out-of-state AAC Rescue Partners. • Two owner surrender appointments were posted to local AAC Rescue partners for intake deferral option. Vet Services • AAC vets performed 764 vet exams. • AAC vets spayed/neutered 410 animals; 100 percent of available animals have been sterilized. • Zero visibly pregnant animals were spayed. • 50 emergency cases were treated at AAC. • 30 emergencies were transferred from the emergency clinic. • …
Off-Leash Dogs Working Group Summary Working Group Members Animal Advisory Commission • Craig Nazor • Jo Anne Norton Parks and Recreation Board • Dawn Lewis • Nancy Barnard City of Austin Staff Kimberly McNeeley, Director, Parks and Recreation Don Bland, Director, Austin Animal Center Jason Garza, Assistant Director, AAC Mark Sloat, Administrative Manager, Animal Protection, Outreach, Pet Resource Center, AAC Kelsey Cler, Program Manager, Media and Communications, AAC Belinda Hare, Department Executive Assistant, AAC Issues Considered by the Working Group • Misinformation about existing laws • 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 • Citizen ability to request an official off-leash area – Austin growth outpacing off-leash areas • Options for citizens to report issues Laws - Austin City Code Title 3 • Keep dogs on a leash and under control in all areas that are not designated as “off-leash” • Pick up and sanitarily dispose of pet waste left on public or private property • Provide adequate shelter • Ensure pets have current rabies vaccinations • Confine pets transported in unenclosed vehicles in a manner that prevents the animal from falling or jumping from the vehicle or being injured • DO NOT leave a pet alone on a chain or tether • It’s unlawful to sell a puppy or kitten that is not spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped Enforcement Affected by Staffing • 21 Animal Protection Officers – 7 days a week, 7a-Midnight - Service 900 Sq Miles of Travis County – Handle a multitude of animal related issues – Can write citations for off-leash dog violations • Citations can be increased by a judge to $500 or dismissed entirely • 25 Park Rangers – 7 days a week - Service 330 City Parks - 19,000 acres of parkland – Handle a multitude of parkland related issues – Cannot write tickets for off-leash dog violations 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 • …
Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, April 11, 2022 New Business Agenda Item 4b New Business Agenda Item 4b The Austin Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council approve $50,000 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. Submitted by Chair Craig Nazor
AAC Data for March Meeting Agenda Item: Reported Space Crisis Part 1: multi-year March data All March data 2017 to 2022 Intakes into AAC March 2017 to 2022 Adoptions March 2017 to March 2022 Pets Returned to Owner March 2017 to March 2022 Transferred to rescue group from March 2017 to March 2022 Pets Euthanized March 2017 to March 2022 Note on data: I pieced together data from reports and from the data portal. The report that used to be provided (see example here from March 2019) made it fairly easy to get older data over a multi-year period. There were a number of gaps where I could not piece together year-over-year data - including volunteer and foster data and kennel census data. As a layperson, it’s entirely possible some of this data is available for each month of each year, but I was unable to locate it. ● First and last day of the month inventory of pets in the shelter and in foster care, broken up by species (It’s hard to know what ‘full’ means year-over-year, without knowing the census. ● Number of volunteers ● Total volunteer hours ● Number of new volunteers onboarded ● Number of volunteer applications ● Number of animals that went to foster care that month - broken up by species/size ● Number of animals that were outcomes (adopted or transferred) from foster that month PART 2: Impact of being closed on Sundays Background: Annual aggregated data from 2014 and 2015 at AAC shows 44% of all adoptions were completed on Saturdays and Sundays, split roughly evenly between the two days. Saturdays and Sundays were by far the highest outcome days. Austin Open Data Portal makes it possible to see the outcomes that happened each day of the week. I reviewed the Sunday outcome data for various dates. Due to the fact that I had to count animal-by-animal, the data is just a sampling but provides enough information for me to draw the following conclusions: 1. AAC is losing the opportunity to outcome 60 to 200 (or more) pets each month by being closed on Sundays. 2. There is no evidence that Sunday has ever been the ‘slowest’ day. In order to understand Sunday activity vs. other days, staff would need to share data on adoption starts (people who come to the shelter on a Sunday to start an adoption process) and all outcomes …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220411-4b Seconded By: Jo Anne Norton Date: April 11, 2022 Subject: Budget Item: Funding to Support Equitable Microchipping of Pets in Austin Motioned By: Luis Herrera Recommendation The Austin Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin 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. Description of Recommendation to Council The chips, in bulk, are very cheap. The $100,000, in addition to help purchase the chips, can be used for paying the staff for the expenses of setting up a movable microchipping clinic, and the travel costs associated with such a program. Also, important would be the capturing of data so to determine how much money may be saved by the program keeping animals out of the shelter. Rationale: Microchipping is an inexpensive and efficient way of using new technology to link a pet to a owner. This helps to rapidly get lost pets back to their families and keep them out of the shelter. Vote: 10 For: Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: Attest: 2 (plus one vacancy) Director, CASO Austin Animal Services Office 1 of 1
AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-04-11 REGULAR MEETING APPROVED MAY 9, 2022 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION APRIL 11, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on Monday, April 11, 2022, 6 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., conducted a roll call of those in attendance and confirmed a quorum of eight commissioners at the time of roll call. Four Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Smagula, Norton and Hassen. Six Commissioners attended via teleconferencing: Mitchell, Jarl, Neuhaus, Nemer, Herrera and Dulzaides. Commissioner Herrera joined the meeting during Approval of Minutes, and Nemer joined the meeting during Agenda Item 2, Briefings, for a total of 10 commissioners in attendance. Commissioner Clinton was absent. Districts 4 and 10 are currently vacant. Commission Members Absent: Clinton Staff in Attendance: : Don Bland, Jason Garza, Belinda Hare PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL Virtual: In Person: Pat Valls-Trellis Dr. Ellen Jefferson Amber Rowland 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-04-11 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Norton moved to approve the minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, March 14, 2022. Commissioner Hassen seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 9 to 0, with all Commissioners in attendance at the time voting approval: Nazor, Smagula, Norton, Jarl, Dulzaides Mitchell, Hassen, Neuhaus and Herrera. 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports b. COVID Update 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data No action. b. Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs Commissioner Norton presented a summary of the findings from the Working Group. Chair Nazor noted the dissolution of the Working Group/ c. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin d. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No e. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities No action. Kill No action. No action. 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Election of Officers Commissioner Norton nominated Commissioner Nazor as Chair; Commissioner Hassen seconded. Commissioner Nazor nominated Commissioner Clinton for Vice Chair, and Commissioner Dulzaides seconded. Commissioner Nazor nominated Commissioner Hassen for Parliamentarian, and Commissioner Nemer seconded. A vote on the three nominees was taken with all Commissioners in attendance voting approval, 10 – 0: Nazor, Smagula, Norton, Hassen, Mitchell, Jarl, Neuhaus, Nemer, Herrera and Dulzaides. Commissioner Clinton was absent. Districts 4 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 14, 2022, 6 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at http://www.austintexas.gov/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. For remote participation, registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required. To register for remote participation, email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0565. AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian Palmer Neuhaus Edward Flores Monica Frenden Lotta Smagula Luis Herrera CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Dr. Jon Brandes Jo Anne Norton Beatriz Dulzaides a. Review and approval of minutes from the February 14, 2022, Animal Advisory 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commission Special Called Meeting 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports. b. COVID Update. 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data. b. Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs. c. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin. d. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No Kill in Austin. e. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities. 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Austin Animal Center Satellite Adoption Centers b. Animal Services Budget 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Belinda Hare at the Animal Services Office, at 512-978-0565, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Board Liaison. Belinda Hare, 512-978-0565 or Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov
February 2022 February 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome percentage for February was 97.3 percent. • A total of 726 animals were brought to the shelter which included 505 dogs, 174 cats, 31 wild animals, 10 rabbits, two guinea pigs, two ferrets, and two chickens. • A total of 434 animals were adopted (264 dogs, 163 cats, and seven small pets). • A total of 123 dogs, cats, and one rabbit were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 43 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 17 fencing assistance applications and implanted six microchips. • Officers impounded 95 injured animals and delivered 28 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 159 rabies exposure reports and submitted 34 specimens for rabies testing. Zero tested positive for rabies. • Coyote Activities: 31 o Sightings 19 o Encounters 6 o Incidents 6 Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 216 volunteers donated 2,672 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held four orientations for new volunteers, introducing 125 people to the shelter programs. Thirty-nine new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts. • 105 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 160 different people/families fostered. February 2022 Animal Services Report • 192 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 712 members (approved fosters) in the foster program’s GivePulse group. *Note: Fosters that did not indicate they wished to remain active were removed in January. • Three pets died or were euthanized in foster care. • As of March 1 at 11:15 a.m. there were 156 animals in foster care. • 127 dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and birds were transferred to 20 local AAC Rescue Partners (compared to 92 animals to 16 partners for February 2021). • 60 dogs were transported to five out-of-state AAC Rescue Partners. • Five owner surrender appointments were posted to local AAC Rescue partners for intake deferral option. Vet Services • AAC vets performed 764 vet exams. • AAC vets spayed/neutered 363 animals; 99 percent of available animals have been sterilized. • Zero visibly pregnant animals were spayed. • 49 emergency cases were treated at AAC. • 37 emergencies were transferred from the emergency clinic. • The emergency clinic bill for February was $30,593. • …
AAC Budget Consideration Satellite Adoption Centers Growth The Austin Animal Center is the only municipal shelter serving Travis County - 900 sq miles with a population of 1.3 million people* and an annual growth rate of 2.06% (27, 382 people). The metro area is 2.2M in 2022. *Census - April 2020 Infrastructure Growth in Austin/Travis County happened with little change in infrastructure, and AAC’s out-of-the way location on the far east side of Austin makes it challenging for potential adopters. Going at times that should be good adoption times - like week nights - is difficult with traffic. Austin traffic is considered to be some of the worst in the nation. Kennel Space The AAC Levander Loop campus was originally built in 2011 after many years of not passing, or barely passing, State inspections at the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) facility. The campus was designed without “no kill” as major factor. With no kill, animals are staying longer so kennels are often full. Large/medium dogs live in kennels that were not designed for months long stays. Solution - Satellite Locations Taking adoptable pets to our citizens follows other municipal shelters that have multiple adoption sites, such as Dallas, Albuquerque and San Antonio. San Antonio - Population 1.4M Satellite locations are City buildings managed by local partner organizations Albuquerque - Population 565K A few locations are managed by partners who support the animal center Dallas - 1.35M PetSmart location houses 50 animals AAC Pets Must Go to the Citizens To make this happen, AAC needs to expand it’s events staff while looking for expansion locations. The events staff can use the AAC mobile adoption bus to take animals to the citizens. Unfortunately, it was purchased years ago with only 2 large dog kennels and medium/large dogs are the majority of the overflow. So volunteers and/or staff will be needed to bring large/medium dogs to the event, while the bus can hold smaller dogs and cats. AAC is the County Shelter Since AAC is the County municipal shelter, the events team can hold adoption events throughout Travis County, selecting dogs that will suit the area, such as family dogs around Lakeway and smaller dogs downtown Supporting Community Animals The events staff can also hold community events to improve the health and safety of pets, taking services into the communities not just an event at AAC. • March 5, 2022 Microchip and …
Answers to questions about ASO February data report submitted by Lotta Smagula, District 1 Representative, Animal Advisory Commission ● On the Animals Euthanized slide, what is the difference between euthanasia for suffering and euthanasia medical? Medical is normally used as a subtype. The primary reasoning is usually suffering and then a subtype is providing for a reason such as sick, medical, toxicity, etc. For the animal that was labeled as a medical reason, it was a sick raccoon found in the field. The APO on duty euthanized the animal and labeled it as medical. ● On the Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing slide, which is it? Lost, stolen, or missing, and was it from the shelter or foster? Missing, lost, or stolen are the primary outcomes, and kennel or foster would be the subtype. We looked into it and saw that lost and stolen are not an option in the primary outcome list. We are having IT add them. When looking at the lost animal from February, we see that it was never impounded but listed as a lost dog in the lost report online. That is a new glitch that we will need to work with IT to address. ● On the SNR Program slide, what is the difference between cat and adult cat? Everything is counted as a cat. In the ordinance, we needed to break it down by kitten and adult cats. The adult cat designation is to show anything older than six months that went to SNR. ● On the Intact Animals Adopted/Returned to Owner slide, what is the reason for the 8 animals that were adopted out intact? Was it medical, did they not weigh enough? Have follow up spay/neuter appointments been set up with AAC for those animals? There were six animals that were adopted intact. We had three kittens and a puppy that were too young for surgery. One was a 14-year-old Chihuahua with medical issues, and the other is a 14- year-old pit with medical issues.
AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-03-14 REGULAR MEETING APPROVED APRIL 11, 2022 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MARCH 14, 2022 MINUTES The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting, Monday, March 14, 2022, 6 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., conducted a roll call of those in attendance and confirmed a quorum of nine commissioners. He introduced newly appointed Commissioner Kristen Hassen, appointed by Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8. Two commissioners attended the meeting in person, Commissioners Nazor and Smagula. Seven commissioners participated via virtual teleconferencing, including Commissioners Mitchell, Jarl, Norton, Clinton, Herrera, Dulzaides, and Hassen. Commission Members Absent: Palmer Neuhaus, Dr. Nancy Nemer, Edward Flores (Monica Frenden and Dr. Jon Brandes resigned) Staff in Attendance: Animal Services Office: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Belinda Hare; Sarah PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL Virtual: In Person: Pat Valls-Trellis, Budget working group Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Correction, apology regarding misrepresentation Amber Rowland, Data and euthanasia rate 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2021-03-14 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Jarl moved to approve the minutes from the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, March 14, 2022. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 9 to 0, with all Commissioners in attendance voting approval: Nazor, Smagula, Norton, Jarl, Dulzaides Mitchell, Hassen, Herrera and Clinton. 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports b. COVID Update 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Monthly Reporting of Data b. Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs No action. No action. No action. Kill No action. No action. c. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin d. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No e. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Austin Animal Center Satellite Adoption Centers No action. b. Animal Services Budget Commissioner Smagula proposed a working group to look at Austin Animal Center’s budget; Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. The proposal failed by a vote of six to 0 with Commissioners Jarl and Hassen abstaining. Commissioner Clinton exited the meeting and did not vote. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioners agreed to retain agenda items under Old Business, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e. Commissioner Norton asked about election of officers. 6. ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Nazor adjourned the meeting without objection at …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2022, 6 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at http://www.austintexas.gov/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register, email or call board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.Hare@austintexas.gov or phone at 512-978-0565. SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian Palmer Neuhaus Edward Flores Monica Frenden Lotta Smagula Luis Herrera CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Dr. Jon Brandes Jo Anne Norton Beatriz Dulzaides 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Review and approval of minutes from the October 11, 2021, Animal Advisory Commission Meeting (November 8. December 13, and January 10 meetings were cancelled). 2. BRIEFINGS a. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports. b. COVID Update. c. Austin Pets Alive! Quarterly Report 3. OLD BUSINESS: Update, Discussion and Possible Action a. Comparative Evaluations of Monthly Release Rates. b. Monthly Reporting of Data. c. Working Group on Off-Leash Dogs. d. Working Group on How to Increase Microchipping in the City of Austin. e. Austin Pets Alive!’s Future at the Town Lake Animal Center and the Maintenance of No f. Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other Communities. g. Fire Code Requirements for Nonprofit and Commercial Animal Shelters and Boarding Kill in Austin. Facilities in Austin 4. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Adoption of Bylaw Amendment for Creation of No Kill Committee as Approved by City Council. b. Proposed Animal Advisory Commission Meeting Schedule 2022 c. Disposition of the dedicated wildlife Animal Protection Officer (APO) 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or …
