Feb 26, 2024

Just a few weeks in the past, we knowledgeable you in regards to the political happenings in Austin round animal welfare, specifically, across the metropolis looking for to go a decision permitting the euthanization of canines with bites on their data. We wish to hold you up to date on progress and present occasions on an ongoing foundation.

We’re completely satisfied that the decision was amended to supply a six month ready interval earlier than instantly taking motion; the canines with excessive bites on their data at the moment nonetheless have the chance to obtain rehabilitation. As we shared beforehand, a part of our opposition with this decision comes from inaccuracies in knowledge. We proceed to see knowledge points surrounding the knowledge popping out of Austin Animal Middle and so haven’t but constructed up belief that making choices to euthanize, with out letting companions see the knowledge first, is not going to irresponsibly finish the lives of harmless canines. We’ll hold you knowledgeable on this as we get nearer to the 6 month timeline.

If the information shouldn’t be precisely getting used inside 4 months, we might have your assist to ask for an extension or another type of intervention. To be extraordinarily clear: we don’t intend for canines who’re really harmful to be launched for adoption. We intend to ensure that if such a course of is employed, it’s used expertly ,precisely and responsibly.

There are three new main updates value sharing:

Audit Replace: Town of Austin’s Audit Suggestions for Animal Companies is being labored on by town employees. I met with Assistant Metropolis Supervisor Hayden Howard who defined the method for compliance. The 2 areas that she is particularly engaged on are constructing relationships with companions and the strategic plan. To assessment — the audit stated that (pull out titles of the 2 suggestions that match right here). She believes that each areas might be in compliance by finish of the 12 months which provides us hope. We shouldn’t have particulars on how these points might be resolved simply but.

Metropolis of Austin Associate Group Coalition: A coalition of organizations which can be impacted probably the most by Austin Animal Middle’s insurance policies and packages fashioned in 2023 to work on a shared imaginative and prescient for Austin’s animals and folks sooner or later. Our purpose was to assist our metropolis leaders see the place Austin might be heading if we have been all pointed in the identical route. This was really groundbreaking because it introduced collectively teams that always work independently and even generally at odds for instance — APA!, Austin Humane Society and TRAPRS]. It additionally introduced collectively voices of group members who care about animals however aren’t a part of organizations by means of using surveys and public boards. Our 2024 plan for this group is to proceed the partnership to convey our group collectively even additional. Austin Pets Alive! will proceed to have its personal voice, as will all of the organizations represented, however there may be a lot that we are able to communicate on collectively as nicely to maintain bettering our metropolis.

Animal Sheltering in Austin Survey: We requested the Austin group to provide us data on what they have been conscious of, what they wished to see occur in Austin and the way vital pets have been within the busy metropolis panorama. The survey closed February 16 and we’ll share tidbits from it over the following few weeks. This week, the piece that I believe is most fascinating is the large assist our group has for animal points from all areas in Austin. We requested which council member district individuals lived in and have been shocked to see each district represented and nobody district being overrepresented.

And of the over 1,100 responses, it’s clear that the No Kill coverage is extraordinarily vital to the bulk. There are just a few who don’t imagine it can be crucial however the overwhelming majority need it to remain.

As town strikes into strategic planning for animal companies, it’s extra essential than ever to advocate for what pets, and individuals who love them, want. Our metropolis has lengthy been a spot that has prided itself on going above and past for pets. We’re dedicated to serving to to maintain it that approach.