Six years ago, City Council passed a resolution that animal shelters would no longer kill homeless pets for the sake of space or convenience. But now that Austin has a solid reputation as a no-kill city, Animal Services officials are worried that animal rescue groups and people wanting to adopt are going to other communities […]
Animal Advisory Commission
The Animal Advisory Commission advises the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on Texas Health and Safety Code compliance regarding animal shelters and on animal welfare policies.
Posted inAustin
Austin suffers from lack of animal protection officers
Although Austin has a reputation as a city of pet lovers, a chronic shortage of animal protection officers may be putting pets, and local communities, at risk. The city currently has 20 officers, only one-third of the number recommended by the National Animal Care and Control Association’s standards. Animal Services is asking City Council for […]
Posted inCity Hall
Advocates push for permanent animal cruelty prosecutors
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has assigned two prosecutors to handle animal cruelty cases after a family and animal law attorney made the case for a special animal cruelty prosecutor to the Animal Advisory Commission last month during citizens communication. However, the animal law attorney, Robyn Katz, sat again before the commission on Monday […]
Posted inCity Hall
No new members for animal advisory group
The City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Monday postponed for one month a vote to recommend adding members to the city’s Animal Advisory Commission from Travis County, as requested last year by County Judge Sarah Eckhardt. In doing so, they had the support of the current chair and a past chair of the commission. […]
Posted inAustin
Animal Services punts spay and neuter proposal
The Animal Advisory Commission voted down a proposal last week that would have allowed animal shelter staff to spay or neuter an animal the first time it is impounded. Instead, the commissioners will wait for the results of a six-month study that will be conducted by Austin Animal Services. Discussion of the agenda item, which […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Peacocks and loose lips
Wherever you go, there you are… Though it seems that former Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis is eager to put Austin behind him, it looks as though he may be taking a bit of his history with him to Seattle. And that may not be a good thing. Last week, the Seattle Times reported that […]
Posted inAustin
Mandatory pet sterilization not recommended to help reduce number of animals in shelters
Austin animal owners should not be forced to spay or neuter their animals, said Chief Animal Services Officer Tawny Hammond in a briefing before the City Council Health and Human Services Committee. The presentation, which comes just as Austin is about to celebrate five years as a no-kill community, was requested by Mayor Steve Adler in response […]
Posted inAustin
County shoots down Austin’s no-kill request
Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday rejected a request from the city of Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission to enter into a partnership that would develop a no-kill management strategy for wild animals, including coyotes. David Lundstedt and Craig Nazor of the Animal Advisory Commission showed up to the court’s weekly meeting to petition the commissioners […]
Posted inLocal Government
Commission tells city to cut ties with state on coyote control
The Animal Advisory Commission approved a number of recommendations last Monday aimed at getting the city to set up its own wildlife management service. Since 2012 the city and county have contracted with Texas Wildlife Services, which has assigned a full-time wildlife biologist to reduce conflicts between humans and coyotes. The decision appears to have […]
Posted inAustin
Council prohibits use of bullhooks on elephants
While several bullhooks were brought into City Council chambers as evidence Thursday – one even passed around on the dais – these instruments, used to train circus animals, will be prohibited from use on elephants within city limits starting in fall 2016. Critics of bullhooks say the sharp-tipped tool breaks the skin of elephants, causing […]
Posted inAustin
Council not likely to ban bullhooks this year
Based on a discussion at a work session on Tuesday, City Council is not likely to ban the use of the bullhook — a common elephant training tool — in circuses before Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey comes to Austin on Aug. 19. “I understand the interest in not having this take effect immediately […]
Posted inAustin
Shelter dogs to get playgroups, not paid dog walkers
Austin’s new Chief Animal Services Officer, Tawny Hammond, said Monday she will institute part of a City Council recommendation intended to deal with concerns that dogs in the city’s shelters were not getting out of their cages enough. Hammond said the city will not hire paid dog walkers, like the resolution recommended, but will instead […]