Council resolution could make Town Lake Animal Shelter a 'no kill' facility

by QUITA CULPEPPER / KVUE News

Posted on November 3, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Updated yesterday at 5:22 PM
The Town Lake Animal Shelter was supposed to become a "no kill" facility by 2002 -- that didn't happen.
Now, a new resolution being heard by the Austin City Council on Thursday would have City Manager Marc Ott work with the Austin Animal Advisory Commission.
The goal is to find new policies and procedures to drastically reduce the number of healthy dogs and cats killed at the shelter.
According to the commission, many strays picked up by the city are put down after three days -- animals given up by their owners may be euthanized immediately.
Scores of puppies and kittens with minor health concerns are also put to sleep.
Close to 10,000 animals were put to sleep at the shelter in 2008.
One recommendation would be to establish a comprehensive adoption program -- for example, having locations throughout the city and county staffed seven days a week.
The commission also recommends ending the option of killing healthy and non-aggressive animals while cages and kennels go unused.
Commission members also want the city to create a large scale volunteer foster program -- the goal being as more dogs are put in foster care, shelter capacity would increase.
The council resolution directs the City Manager's Office to present a plan to save more animals at the shelter by March 2010.