Austin City Council approves $757,000 increase in budget for Animal Services

Animal Services
The Animal Services program’s FY 2011 Budget
includes a $757,000 increase for the "No Kill Implementation Plan." This
plan includes 5.50 new full time
equivalent positions and several programs to
assist in increasing live animal outcomes to 90
percent in the Austin/Travis County community.

The 5.50 new positions include: 2 full time Vet
Technicians, a half-time Veterinarian, 1 full time Animal Behaviorist, 1 full time Public Health Educator
and 1 full time Animal Care Customer Services Representative Senior. In addition to
increased personnel, the plan includes funding for an offsite adoption program,
foster care program, spay street program, an emergency care fund and a public
awareness campaign.

Two new fees will be implemented in FY 2011 as
part of the Implementation Plan, an animal intake
fee and a wildlife relocation fee. These fees will
generate $22,500 in additional revenue. Other
revenue in the Animal Services program is
expected to have a net increase $25,052 based
on historical trends.

The FY 2011 Budget also includes a $50,000
increase as part of the Austin/Travis County
Interlocal agreement for the County portion of the
spay/neuter program.