The Austin City Council has adopted the Animal Services Office’s (ASO) new strategic plan, with the goal of building on ASO’s strong foundation of service, enhancing operations, prioritizing animal welfare, and further strengthening support for Austin’s two- and four-legged community. This plan aligns with the City of Austin's Strategic Plan, ensuring that ASO’s initiatives support the City’s broader goals for a thriving, equitable, and resilient community.

"The Council’s approval of this strategic plan ensures Austin Animal Services can move forward with key improvements, including expanding access to shelter animal intake,” said Austin City Manager, T.C. Broadnax. “This plan reflects the collaboration and dedication of our community, staff, and partners, and I look forward to seeing its impact as we work to improve services and outcomes for animals and residents alike."

The City of Austin’s Office of Budget and Organizational Excellence collaborated with ASO staff, residents, volunteers, community partners, and the Animal Advisory Commission to gather valuable input. This feedback helped shape the strategic plan to address key priorities and ensure the best outcomes for both animals and the community while aligning with the City's broader strategic vision.

“The new Animal Services Strategic Plan provides a needed roadmap, highlighting objectives and opportunities that will build a stronger, more efficient animal services system and prioritizes exceptional service and humane treatment for all of Austin’s animals," said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. 

​Austin City Council passed Resolution 20220728-098 on July 28, 2022, directing the City Auditor to conduct an internal audit and to engage an external expert knowledgeable in no-kill policies and practices to assist in identifying strategies and recommendations for improving the operations of ASO. The combination of the City Council resolution and subsequent audit recommendations led to the development of this new strategic plan.

“Ensuring the well-being of animals in our community is not just a policy decision—it’s a commitment to compassion and responsible care,” said Council Member Chito Vela. “The adoption of the Animal Services Strategic Plan marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety, well-being, and humane treatment of animals in our community. I’m proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on both our residents and their beloved pets.”

ASO has been planning and addressing areas identified in the audit and is committed to implementing the strategic plan to create a more efficient and effective animal services system. The plan outlines clear steps to improve shelter operations, increase community outreach, and enhance animal welfare.
 

About Austin Animal Center 
City of Austin Animal Services operates the Austin Animal Center (AAC) and is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. AAC cares for more than 11,000 animals annually and safely places at least 95% of all pets.

About Office of Budget and Organizational Excellence
The Office of Budget and Organization Excellence is a division of the City of Austin Financial Services Department provides a host of services to support the financial management of the city. The Budget and Performance Team within FSD provides the annual budget, supports the creation of the citywide strategic plan, and provides process improvement and consulting services to City departments.