Since March, 2010 the Austin Animal Center has saved more than 90% of the approximately 20,000 animals entering the shelter each year by following the guidelines laid forth in the City of Austin’s No-Kill implementation plan, approved in March of 2010 by the Austin City Council.
History
Since October 2010, Animal Services has followed a 34-point plan with the support of community partners such as Austin Pets Alive!, the Austin Humane Society, EmanciPet and Animal Trustees of Austin as well as more than 500 volunteers.
In February 2011, the Center reached and surpassed the 90% live animal outcome rate and reached an unprecedented rate of 92%.
The Animal Center is maintaining its status and continues to increase live animal outcome rates while steadily decreasing animal intakes.
Strategies
Some of the points of the No Kill Plan that have been implemented are:
- The night drop boxes for animals were closed and the shelter moved to managed intake
- Additional resources were allocated to medical and behavior support for shelter pets
- The Austin Animal Center foster program has grown to save more than 2,500 pets each year with 1,000 foster families participating
- The City of Austin and Travis County fund spay and neuter surgeries and rabies vaccines for owned pets and community cats
- AAC has a robust adoption program including several adoption promotions each month, off-site adoptions and an aggressive marketing and media strategy
- AAC provides free microchips and tags for any pet in Austin or Travis County
- The Center has a large, thriving volunteer program with more than 500 volunteers contributing around 50,000 hours of service in all areas of shelter operations
Reports & Documents
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Priority List of Animal Services Implementation Plan Recommendations
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Animal Advisory Commission Report to Council Regarding Recommendations