Jan 26, 2024

Final yr was extraordinarily difficult for animal shelters within the US, and Austin was no exception. The Austin of yesteryear discovered super satisfaction in main the nation in No Kill throughout a time when shelters struggled probably the most to save lots of the lives of even half of the pets who entered their care. On this new period of humane struggles, the place pets are assured to not be killed whereas different pets are left on the streets, some residing in crates for too lengthy, and folks battle to maintain their pets with out assist, our metropolis should take the lead in progressive, lifesaving options. Austin Pets Alive! has been comparatively quiet about these points on public platforms as we watch for the much-needed shelter audit to bear fruit, and I remorse that alternative. APA! has been given a microphone for pets in our neighborhood during the last 15 years, and we have to assist be the voice of animals in want each publicly and behind the scenes.

No Kill is a lot greater than a metric. No Kill signifies that pets are handled as people and that the neighborhood is welcome into each a part of the shelter, together with, and particularly, with the ability to assist with each single choice that may finish a pet’s life. No Kill means a profound departure from operations that deal with pets as in the event that they haven’t any ethical worth or each pet is similar. It signifies that we, as a neighborhood, consider that our pets are members of the family and, even when separated from the household, or penniless, must be handled as such.

We all know and intimately perceive the challenges that our metropolis is dealing with. Nonetheless, if we need to stay in a metropolis that not solely values progress and being the most effective, however demonstrates it, now we have to collectively voice that. I need you to know that, though now we have been quiet, we’re paying consideration. We’re advocating, by conferences with metropolis workers and council places of work, that our metropolis commit and act on reaching No Kill, public security, humane care contained in the shelter and neighborhood assist . We all know it’s doable.

Austin turned the mannequin metropolis for No Kill as a result of we had troublesome conversations and opened the curtains extensive to the problems town shelter confronted. They weren’t insurmountable, clearly as a result of we’re a No Kill metropolis now, however they felt that manner on the time. We have to convey individuals collectively to repair the issues our metropolis faces in order that the most effective options can floor. True No Kill is constructed on transparency with the general public and accountability to do what is correct.

As we shortly transfer into 2024, a main focus of all of us needs to be on championing Austin to be the most secure place within the US for pets.

Please think about taking this brief survey to assist us type the subsequent steps.

I’ll resurrect a slogan from 15 years in the past. Austin, we will do higher.

Dr. Ellen Jefferson

President and CEO, Austin Pets Alive!