City of Austin Animal Advisory Commission Request for Input

The Animal Advisory Commission (AAC) and the City of Austin Health and Human Services Department Management are seeking input from community stakeholders regarding the AAC Recommendations to Council to reduce the killing of homeless animals, including but not limited to, policies and programs related to reducing the intake, and increasing the live outcomes of shelter animals.  The AAC invites all interested parties to present in person or submit a written response to this Request for Input.

This Request for Input is being sought strictly for the purpose of gaining knowledge to fulfill AAC Recommendations. Any input that does not directly apply to the AAC Recommendations will not be considered or presented. The request for input may be submitted in the form of either a suggestion/comment or a proposal using the attached guidelines. The AAC invites all interested parties to participate in this process. The following opportunities to participate are available…

1. The first 10 persons to sign up to provide suggestions or comments will have 3 minutes.
2. The first 10 individuals/organizations to sign up to present a proposal will have 6 minutes.
3. Written responses may also be submitted.

Should you choose to present a proposal, it should address the following…

1. Brief description of your proposal or solution.
2. What resources and/or expertise can you contribute to the solution that you are proposing?
3. What is your expected measurable impact and timeline?

So that City Staff and AAC Commissioners have time for review, we request that proposals be submitted 48 hours prior to the corresponding AAC meeting.  Proposals should be sent to the following email address: austinaac@gmail.com.

Please see the attached schedule designating the topics to be discussed. In compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, all agendas will be posted through the City Clerk’s office.

We appreciate your response to this request.

Larry Tucker
Chair, Animal Advisory Commission

AAC Recommendations Implementation Planning Topic List

Nov 23^rd:  Discussion and approval of Planning Process

Nov 30th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving

A: Revise Mission of Animal Services

Dec 7th: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes

A1:Offsite Adoptions

Dec 14th: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes
A2-6: Increased Capacity for Adoption

• make-ready, behavioral, empty kennel usage, Davenport building use after shelter move, and increased public awareness.

Dec 21st: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes
B: Large Scale Foster Program

Dec 28th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake
A: Reduce Euthanasia of Owned Animals

• Increased Return to Owners, Increased owner awareness of possible euthanasia, increased owner safety net services

Jan 4th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake
B: Reduce Feral Cat Euthanasia

• Increased feral cat spay/neuter, increased community care, and increased re-release rates

Jan 11^th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake

C: High Volume, Free and Low Cost Spay/Neuter

• Increased services available to the community

Jan 18^th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving
C: Public Involvement and Candor

• Increased Public Relations on all aspects of sheltering

Jan 25th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving
D: Explore Outsourcing Possibilities

• Increased community involvement to reduce costs and  increase lifesaving

Feb 1^st: Finalize draft of implementation plan.