Commission discusses spike in animals leaving shelter without being spayed or neutered

The Animal Advisory Commission at its regular meeting Jan. 8 pondered an unexpected rise in the number of animals leaving the shelter without being spayed or neutered.

In an overview of monthly reports, Jason Garza of the Animal Services Department told commissioners that the Austin Animal Center took in 681 animals in December, and the live outcome for the month was 98.7. AAC adopted out 594 animals and returned 69 animals to their owners.

Animal Protection officers were able to return 20 animals to their owners in the field and impounded 95 animals. Of the animals adopted, 114 were adopted directly from foster care. The center processed 83 new foster applications. Currently, the center has 1,467 approved foster homes in the system.

The center transferred 127 animals to the Night Rescue Partners, and 469 volunteers contributed more than 6,000 hours. The veterinary services team treated 51 emergency cases and conducted nine orthopedic surgeries. AAC provided resources to 118 customers, including 26 free microchips, and conducted 41 off-site events.

Commissioner Lotta Smagula questioned the sharp increase in the number of intact animals adopted out of AAC, meaning those that have not been surgically sterilized. In December 2022, just one intact animal was adopted and 33 intact animals were returned to their owners. In December 2023, 36 intact animals were adopted out of AAC and 29 intact animals were returned to their owners.

“We’re utilizing the spay/neuter agreement that’s essentially for animals in order to try and make space,” Garza said. “If someone’s willing to take them, we have them sign a spay/neuter agreement and then pay a deposit. Once they show us that the pet was spayed or neutered, then they can get their money back, essentially.”

Smagula noted ongoing work by animal advocates to ensure the city maintains a robust spay/neuter program.

“I can understand that there would be a certain percentage of those 36 animals adopted out intact that would be for medical or don’t quite meet weight yet if they’re kittens, puppies, I get that,” Smagula said. “But that just seems like a huge number to adopt out intact. For us to be sending these animals out intact, it doesn’t sit well with me.”

Commissioner Whitney Holt asked if staff could provide the commission with data from the voucher program in order to determine if the owners of the animals leaving the shelter intact through the program return to retrieve the deposit.

“I guess one thing that could help us understand how big the ripple effect may or may not be is can we get statistics on how often and how quickly people use those vouchers?” Holt said. “Because if we’re able to show 100 percent within 30 days go out and get their animals fixed, then I think that just kind of changes the perception and might make people feel better.”

Garza said staff could tabulate that data from the voucher program receipts and deliver it to the commission. “We process the refunds and so we can probably pull from those refund processes in order to see how quickly we’re getting those turned back,” Garza said.

Photo by SteelMaster Buildings made available through a Creative Commons license.

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