REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION JANAUARY 8, 2024, 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating via 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 Adriana Espinoza at Adriana.Espinoza@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Travis County, Parliamentarian Vacant, Mayor, Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7, Vice Chair Vacant, D8 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 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 2. Overview of monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. Reports posted in December 11, 2023 STAFF BRIEFINGS backup materials. DISCUSSION ITEMS. 3. Quarterly Report from Austin Pets Alive 4. Discussion on Euthanization Process for Injured Deer Program DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM 5. Discussion and possible action on formation of Working Group on Finder to Foster 6. Discussion and possible action on formation of Working Group to Discuss Budget FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 two business days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Adriana Espinoza, Animal Services Offices, at Adriana.Espinoza@austintexas.gov; for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Adriana Espinoza Adriana.Espinoza@austintexas.gov
Information is from October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 Information compiled via ASO Power BI dashboards. Difference of outcomes - intakes Outcome Year (fiscal) Intake Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Cats Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total Dog Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total RTO/RTO Adopt SNR (former SCRP) RTO/RTO Adopt 2024 1185 1142 2327 2024 1160 1263 2423 2024 -25 121 96 2024 918 41 176 28 7 0 93 1263 2024 750 166 222 16 4 2 1160
December 2023 December2023 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News APA and 1 at a vet). and 2 at a vet). Animal Protection • The live outcome rate for December was 98.7 percent. • The Austin Animal Center took in 681 animals including, 263 cats and 403 dogs. • The Austin Animal Center adopted 594 cats and dogs (329 cats and 265 dogs). • 69 animals (56 dogs, 13 cats and 2 birds) were returned to their owners from the Austin Animal Center. • On December 1, 2023, there were 984 cats and dogs within the ASO inventory (694 at AAC, 288 in foster, 1 at • On January 1, 2024, there were 823 cats and dogs within the ASO inventory (554 at AAC, 269 in foster, 3 at APA Impounded 95 injured animals. • Completed 20 RTO’s • Gave out 29 fencing referrals. • • Delivered approximately 36 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue • Entered 157 exposure reports. • Sent 9 specimens to the state lab for rabies testing. We had 2 rabies positive bats. Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • 114 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 225 different people/families fostered. • 83 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 1467 members (approved fosters) in the foster program’s GivePulse group. • 2 pets died or were euthanized in foster care in December (based on the reports that are available to us). • As of January 2nd, 7:45 a.m., there are 266 animals in foster care. • 127 animals were transferred to nine rescues partner organizations. • 469 volunteers contributed 6,061 hours in December. • 34 individuals donated 68 hours toward group volunteer service, through dog-walking and general cat care. • The Volunteer Program held 5 orientations, introducing 112 potential volunteers to shelter operations. • The Volunteer Program scheduled 11 Community Service Restitution individuals to perform 97 hours of laundry, dishes and other duties as assigned. • 144 volunteers spent 437 hours on volunteer development and training. Vet Services • Emergencies cases treated at AAC - 51 • Emergencies transferred from EC - 31 • Orthopedic surgeries - 9 • Other specialty surgeries - enucleations, amputations, mass removals, December2023 Animal Services Report hernia repair, wound repairs, laparotomies, entropion, dentals, etc. - 16 • Cruelty cases - 3 • Vet exams - 839 • APA Transfers Medical - 91 o …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, January 8, 2024 MEETING MINUTES The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on January 8, 2024, Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Ryan Clinton called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., conducted a roll call and confirmed a quorum of 12 Commissioners, including Vice Chair Tucker, Smagula, Dr. Nilson, Herrera, Dr. Bruce who attended in person. Commissioners Dulzaides, Nemer, Holt, Huddleston, Hassen and Linder participated virtually. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Rochell Vickery - General Comment Pat Valls-Trelles - General Comment APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Commissioner Linder moved to approve the minutes from December 11, 2023; Commissioner Holt seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 12 to 0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Overview of monthly reports provided by Animal Service Office Staff. Deputy Chief Jason Garza presented December reports and responded to questions. Monthly reports were submitted in backup. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Quarterly Report by Austin Pets Alive! Presented by Stephanie Bilbro, Austin Pets Alive! Director of Operations. Quarterly reports were submitted in backup. 4. Discussion on Euthanization Process for Injured Deer No action. Staff briefing requested. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and possible action on formation of Working Group on Finder to Foster Program. Commissioner Dr. Nilson proposed the creation of a Working Group. Commissioner Herrera seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with all 12 commissioners voting in favor. 1 6. Discussion and possible action on creating a Working Group to Discuss and Make Budget Recommendations. Commissioner Dr. Nilson proposed the creation of a Working Group. Commissioner Dr. Bruce seconded an amended motion to create a Working Group to Discuss and Make Budget Recommendations. Motion passed unanimously with all 12 commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dr. Bruce will serve as Chair of the Working Group. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff Briefing: A staff briefing on the Emancipet contract was requested by Commissioner Dr. Bruce with a second from Commissioner Dr. Nilson. Discussion Item: An item to form a working group to discuss the Emancipet contract was requested by Commissioner Dr. Bruce with a second from Commissioner Dr. Nilson. Discussion and Possible Action: Commissioner Dr. Nilson proposed an item for discussion and possible action to form a Working Group on the Finder to Foster Program. Commissioner Smagula second the motion. Discussion and Possible Action: Commissioner Dr. Nilson proposed the formation of a Working Group on owner-intended euthanasia at the Austin Animal Center. …
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION DECEMBER 12, 2022, 6 P.M. 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/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, call or email Stephanie Hall, by Sunday noon, December 11, at 512-974-2210, or stephanie.hall@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen, Parliamentarian Dr. Amanda Bruce AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides Dr. Paige Nilson 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 November 14, 2022. 2. Staff briefing by new wildlife Officers in the Animal Service Center regarding scope of 3. Overview of monthly report provided by the Animal Service Center. 4. Presentation of the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! 5. Discussion regarding any updates for companion animals at emergency shelters in winter STAFF BRIEFINGS work. DISCUSSION ITEMS weather. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Advisory Commission. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 6. Discussion and creation of rules and procedures for public communication at the Animal 7. Update from the Spay/Neuter Working Group regarding the Spay/Neuter Program Policy. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 512-974-2210 or at Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Stephanie Hall at 512-974-2210 or Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 301 W. Second Street, Rm 1101 in Austin, Texas. Chair Nazor called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Chair Nazor, Vice Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Nilson, Norton, and Smagula attended in person. Commissioners Dulzaides, Jarl, Nemer, and Neuhaus joined via videoconference. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Eileen McFall – no kill shelter Pat Valls-Trelles – wildlife animal protection Rochelle Vickery – vouchers for spay/neuter Ellen Jefferson – no kill resolution APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 10, 2022. The minutes from the meeting of October 10, 2022, were approved on Commissioner Nemer’s motion, Commissioner Norton’s second on a vote 9-0. Vice Chair Clinton and Commissioner Jarl abstained. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Monthly Report. Reports were provided in back up documents. Presentation the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! Presentation by Neil Hay, Senior Director of Operations, Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Lifesaving Operations. 1. 2. 3. 1 4. 5. 6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a Recommendation to Council concerning the City of Austin's upcoming Five Year Strategic Plan. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council for the City of Austin include information about our many programs for Austin citizens and their companion animals, as well as all of Austin’s valuable and iconic wildlife, in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan was approved, as amended below, on Commissioner Norton’s motion, Commission Herrera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Bruce, Herrera and Nilson abstained. Commissioners Hassen and Mitchell were absent. An amendment to replace “best no kill shelter in the world” to “the most Pet Friendly City in America” was offered on Commissioner Herrera’s motion, Commissioner Bruce’s second. Commissioner Dulzaides offered a friendly amendment to replace “in the world/America” with “in the nation” and was accepted without objection. The amendment to replace “best no kill shelter in the world” to “the most Pet Friendly City in the nation” failed on Commissioner Herrera’s motion, Commissioner Bruce’s second on a 4-7 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Bruce, Herrera, Nilson and Norton. Those voting nay were Chair Nazor, Vice Chair Clinton, Commissioners Dulzaides, Jarl, Nemer, Neuhaus and Smagula. …
November 2022 November 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for November was 98.49 percent. • A total of 841 animals were brought to the shelter which included 443 dogs, 315 cats, 47 domestic birds, 18 wild animals, 10 rabbits, five guinea pigs, and one tortoise. • A total of 494 animals were adopted (252 cats, 225 dogs, 12 birds, and five small pets). • A total of 76 dogs, cats, and tortoise were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 49 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 32 fencing assistance applications and implanted two microchips. • Officers took custody of 99 injured animals and delivered 32 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 157 rabies exposure reports and submitted 21 specimens for rabies testing. One bat tested positive for rabies, one was non-negative (not able to test). • 72 total coyote related activities • Out of 72 coyote related activities, 46 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and • Encounters: Pets were a factor in 100% of activities: o An encounter involved a coyote approaching off leash pet with resident nearby o An encounter involved a coyote entering a backyard with pets present o An encounter involved a coyote not responding to assertive hazing with chasing an outside cat Incidents: Pets were factor in 66% of these encounters. • o An incident involved a coyote taking a neighbor’s outside off leash cat o An incident involved a coyote lunging at a caller. Unable to make contact with caller Animal Protection o 40 sightings o 16 wild sicks o 9 wild injured o 3 encounters o 3 incidents o 1 wild speak observation). November 2022 Animal Services Report o An incident involved a coyote taking an animal. Unable to make contact with caller • Out of 72 related activities, 26 fell within the reported behavior types (wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured) Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 363 volunteers donated 4,990 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held six orientations for new volunteers, introducing 166 people to the shelter programs. 104 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in September. • 117 individuals donated 234 hours towards dog walking and cat care through group volunteer service. …
Animal Services Office Statistical Report – November 2020-2022 November 2022 Intake November 2021 Intakes November 2020 Intakes November 2022 Adoptions November 2021 Adoptions November 2020 Adoptions November 2022 RTOs November 2021 RTOs November 2020 RTOs November 2022 Animals Euthanized November 2021 Animals Euthanized November 2020 Animals Euthanized November 2022 Total Live Release Rate November 2021 Total Live Release Rate November 2020 Total Live Release Rate November 2022 Animal Vaccinations November 2021 Animal Vaccinations November 2020 Animal Vaccinations November 2022 Spayed/Neutered at AAC November 2021 Spayed/Neutered at AAC November 2020 Spayed/Neutered at AAC November 2022 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster November 2021 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster November 2020 Animal Deaths at AAC/Foster November 2022 Animals Transferred: November 2021 Animals Transferred November 2020 Animals Transferred November 2022 Animal Lost, Stolen or Missing November 2021 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing November 2020 Animals Lost, Stolen or Missing November 2022 SNR Program November 2021 SNR Program November 2020 SNR Program November 2022 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO November 2021 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO November 2020 Intact Animals Adopted/RTO
Austin Animal Protection Wildlife Officers Emery Sadkin & Greg Richens Guiding Philosophy The City of Austin does not remove or relocate healthy native wildlife. Guiding Philosophy Instead, we work with residents to humanely resolve conflict with wildlife using effective, evidence-based methods. Wildlife Ordinances – City of Austin § 3-2-4 - HUNTING AND TRAPPING WILD ANIMALS Except as provided in Subsection (B), a person may not knowingly shoot, kill, or hunt a wild animal; or use a steel-jawed spring trap or any other type of trap that could injure a trapped animal or person. § 9-6-7 - FIREARM DISCHARGE RESTRICTED Except as provided in Subsection (B), a person may not discharge a firearm in city limits. § 10-8-3 - FEEDING OF DEER PROHIBITED Except as provided in subsection (C), a person commits an offense if the person intentionally feeds deer or makes food available for consumption by deer on private or public property within the territorial limits of the city. Wildlife Officer Roles Investigate potential rabies exposures Identify non-native species for rehoming at the shelter • • • Assist sick and injured wildlife • Austin Wildlife Rescue • Assess wildlife behavior • Work with residents to address the root cause of conflict Suggest methods for humane exclusion (denning) • • Encourage the animal to move on its own • Offer tailored solutions • Utilize game cameras, site visits, yard audits, identification • Provide presentations, education, and outreach Travis County temporary contract for Wildlife Officer started January 2018 and became permanent in 2019. Wildlife Officer Stats 2022 • Average response time was .5 hours • Officers provided over 354 hours of outreach • Officers fielded 489 coyote calls in City of Austin from Jan – Nov 2022 • Officers fielded 624 wildlife calls in Travis County from Oct 2021- Sept 2022 • Of the 624 calls, 504 were escalated calls Emphasis on Education In-field Outreach ○ Hotline (311) ○ Email ○ Yard audits ○ Site visits ○ Neighborhood canvassing ○ Presentations ○ Events ○ Newsletters ○ Mailers ○ Community partnerships Educational Topics ● Animal behavior and ecology ● Hazing ● Identifying attractants ● Pet safety ● Wildlife exclusion / denning ● Spring / young wildlife ● Child safety ● Rabies prevention ● Coexistence City of Austin Coyote Policy • In November 2014, City Council approved a Coyote Management Policy • The goal is to help maintain a balance of public safety concerns …
Belinda Hare for Animal Advisory Commission 2023 Proposed Meeting Schedule Animal Advisory Commission Proposed Meeting Schedule, 2023 The City of Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission meets on the second Monday of every month, 6 p.m.: • Monday, January 9 • Monday, February 13 • Monday, March 13 • Monday, April 10 • Monday, May 8 • Monday, June 12 • Monday, July 10 • Monday, August 14 • Monday, September 11 • Monday, November 13 • Monday, December 11 • Monday, October 9 (Indigenous peoples’ day)
Animal Advisory Commission November 14, 2022, Meeting City’s Use of Cooling Centers In response to Commissioner Smagula’s questions about the City of Austin’s use of cooling centers during extreme heat events, Bill Wilson, Emergency Management Manager, City of Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), and Mark Sloat, Animal Services Office (ASO), shared the following: Bill Wilson, City of Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM): Only service animals are permitted in cooling centers per City ordinance No. 20190307-014 relating to recreation centers and Council approved Library Use Rules. It is the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and Austin Public Library (APL) that pets, which include all small animals, continue to not be permitted in those respective facilities to mitigate safety and sanitation risks. Regularly scheduled activities continue during cooling center activations putting all guests at risk when pets are present in a facility not designed for accommodating a variety of small animals. HSEM coordinates with the Austin Animal Center (AAC) during emergencies and can mobilize cooling trucks for pets as needed and if trucks and staff are available. Advertising the resource is not advisable because AAC is burdened by overcrowding, which means fulfilling requests for additional services further strains their already tight resources. Cooling center staff are aware of the resource and can request the service when they observe the need. Fortunately, AAC has been able to accommodate on the few occasions a cooling truck has been requested for on-site service. AAC also regularly performs outreach by checking on pets and providing direct assistance to pets and their owners experiencing homelessness. I also noticed that you are asking about services during an emergency shelter, but the subject for the email relates to cooling centers. I wanted to take a moment to differentiate between the two. Emergency Shelters will operate on a 24-hour basis and provide food, sleep accommodations, and other services for those that need the use of the shelter. Cooling Centers are locations that people can go to during the heat of the day to cool down. While there are times that snacks and water are provided, they are not open overnight and therefore do not provide sleeping accommodations, other services, or 24-hour access. We do work to provide accommodations for pets during both sheltering and cooling center operations. Mark Sloat, Program Manager, Animal Services Office (ASO): “We had no issues during the summer with …
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 14, 2022, 6 P.M. 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/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, call or email Stephanie Hall, by Sunday noon, November 13, at 512-974-2210, or stephanie.hall@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen, Parliamentarian Dr. Amanda Bruce AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides Dr. Paige Nilson 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 October 10, 2022. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Monthly Report. 3. Presentation of the Monthly Report by Austin Pets Alive! DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council concerning the City of Austin's upcoming Five- 5. Approve the creation of a working group regarding spay/neuter efforts within the Year Strategic Plan. community. 6. Approve the creation of a working group to evaluate and discuss the current state of reports and published literature related to the housing of dogs in Travis County animal shelters. 7. Approve Commission Annual Meeting Schedule for 2023. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 512-974-2210 or at Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Stephanie Hall at 512-974-2210 or Stephanie.Hall@austintexas.gov
AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DRAFT MINUTES October 10, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on Monday, October 10, 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 6:12 p.m., conducted a roll call of members and confirmed a quorum of seven commissioners. Five Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson and Dr Amanda Bruce. Two Commissioners attended via teleconferencing, Commissioners Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Commission Members Absent: Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL In-person: Amber Rowland Neil Hay APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Corrections to the draft minutes were noted. Commissioner Nemer moved to approve the minutes with corrections; Commissioner Jarl seconded the motion which passed unanimously with all participating Commissioners voting in favor, 7 to 0: Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports 3. AAC Staffing and Services 4. Update on ASO Audit, Keith Salas, Assistant City Auditor 5. Presentation by Parliamentarian regarding Roberts Rules of Order 6. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding APA! Monthly Report DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and Possible Action Concerning the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony Commissioner Dr. Nilson moved to approve the six recommendations presented by Dr. Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservancy, to City Council. Commissioner Dulzaides seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. 8. Discussion and Possible Action on Adopting Bird-Safe Building Ordinances Dr. Chris Sheppard, Director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy, presented on the importance of protecting birds and how to reduce bird collisions. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend the City Council adopt the American Bird Conservancy’s Model-Friendly Building Guidelines. Dr. Nilson seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, …
October 2022 October 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for October was 97.86 percent. • A total of 853 animals were brought to the shelter which included 490 dogs, 327 cats, 24 wild animals, six guinea pigs, five rabbits, and one tortoise. • A total of 453 animals were adopted (234 cats, 209 dogs, and 8 small pets). • A total of 93 dogs, cats, tortoise, and snake were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 63 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 35 fencing assistance applications and implanted eight microchips. • Officers impounded 143 injured animals and delivered 165 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 202 rabies exposure reports and submitted 28 specimens for rabies testing. Eight bats tested positive for rabies, five were non-negative (not able to test). • 36 total coyote related activities • Out of 36 coyote related activities, 23 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and • Encounters: Pets were a factor in 100% of activities: o 1 encounter involved a coyote running at caller and small pet twice, entering the fenced backyard one Incidents: Pets were factor in 100% of these encounters. • o 1 incident involved a coyote “trying to catch the neighbor’s dog”. Unable to make contact. Animal Protection o 21 sightings o 5 wild speaks o 4 wild sicks o 4 wild injured o 1 incident o 1 encounter observation). time October 2022 Animal Services Report • Out of 36 related activities, 14 fell within the reported behavior types (wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured) Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 323 volunteers donated 4,747 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held seven orientations for new volunteers, introducing 226 people to the shelter programs. 121 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in September. • 148 individuals donated 296 hours towards dog walking and cat care through group volunteer service. • 13 Community Service Restitution individuals performed 116 hours of laundry, dishes, and other duties as assigned. • 111 animals were adopted directly from foster care. • More than 200 different people/families fostered. • 78 new foster applications were processed. (This number does not necessarily include walk-in / in person applications that were processed.) • There …
