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Tag Archives: Animal Services
Frigid temps put strain on wildlife and pets alike
As an energy crisis triggered by unusually frigid weather persists throughout the state, even our wild neighbors have struggled to adjust, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports. Mortality events have been observed in several bird species, including various species of…
Environment • By Seth Smalley • Feb 19, 2021
Code revision could allow Austin shelters to euthanize dangerous animals without delay
The Animal Advisory Commission is considering a change to city code that could make it easier for city animal shelters to euthanize animals deemed too dangerous to be adopted by the public. Commission members discussed adding an exception to the…
City Hall • By Jackson Barton • Sep 28, 2020
Animal Advisory Commission tables HASS discussion for now
With the Animal Advisory Commission still in disagreement over the recommendation that Austin join a decentralized shelter pilot program, commissioners decided to push the decision to October. While commissioners were entirely in agreement over one item, voting unanimously to ask…
City Hall • By Savana Dunning • Sep 22, 2020
Animal Advisory Commission to vote for new animal shelter pilot program
The Animal Advisory Commission is voting on a recommendation Monday for Austin to adopt a decentralized, foster home-based approach to animal services. Although the Austin Animal Center is considered an essential service by city ordinance, the shelter has had difficulties…
City Hall • By Savana Dunning • Sep 21, 2020
Animal Advisory Commission asks Council to unfreeze hiring for animal protection officers
The Animal Advisory Commission unanimously approved a recommendation for City Council to unfreeze hiring for certain Animal Services staff Monday. Currently, 12 full-time positions that had been budgeted for in the 2020 budget remain vacant in the Animal Services Department.…
Budget • By Savana Dunning • Sep 15, 2020
Austin cat advocates ask city to reevaluate shelter-neuter-release program
The stated goal of the Austin Animal Center is to place all adoptable animals in forever homes. However, even with this intention and a no-kill policy to back it up, not all animals are given the same chance to find…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 13, 2019
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Council codifies no-kill practices in controversial ordinance
City Council approved a set of controversial amendments to city code Thursday, giving legal weight to certain no-kill practices that many community advocates consider harmful to people and pets alike. Ellen Jefferson, executive director of Austin Pets Alive!, defended the…
Austin • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 18, 2019
Shelter cat live outcome rate dips below 90 percent
As a no-kill shelter, Austin Animal Center has a goal of sending out as many animals into happy homes as possible. Unfortunately, this month, the shelter was able to do that less often for its cats than it has in the…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • May 18, 2018
Report: 'No-kill' policy an asset to Austin
An analysis prepared by researchers at the University of Denver argues that the benefits of Austin’s “no-kill” policy outweigh its costs. The decision to no longer euthanize stray dogs and cats has certainly cost city taxpayers, but those dollars do…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Oct 31, 2017
Reporter's Notebook: Cool for cats?
It is in Austin!… During a discussion of the Aquatic Master Plan during a City Council work session last Tuesday, Council Member Delia Garza highlighted the dearth of public pools in her southeastern district, which includes parts of Del Valle.…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Aug 7, 2017
Reporter's Notebook: Just mull it over
“Sanctuary cities” protests continue… Protesters interrupted a Cedar Park Fourth of July parade last week to protest Senate Bill 4. No one was arrested, but they were removed so the parade could continue. They told KVUE they were calling for…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Jul 10, 2017
Animal Services to take community-centered approach to lost pets
In some parts of Austin, runaway pets are likely to stay lost. That’s what an analysis by the city’s Animal Services Department has found. While roughly one animal for every 100 residents gets brought into a shelter citywide, three ZIP…
