Feb 26, 2024
Just a few weeks in the past, we knowledgeable you concerning the political happenings in Austin round animal welfare, particularly, across the metropolis searching for to cross a decision permitting the euthanization of canines with bites on their information. 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 information at present nonetheless have the chance to obtain rehabilitation. As we shared beforehand, a part of our opposition with this decision comes from inaccuracies in information. We proceed to see information points surrounding the data popping out of Austin Animal Middle and so haven’t but constructed up belief that making selections to euthanize, with out letting companions see the data first, is not going to irresponsibly finish the lives of harmless canines. We are going to hold you knowledgeable on this as we get nearer to the 6 month timeline.
If the information will not be precisely getting used inside 4 months, we may 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 truly harmful to be launched for adoption. We intend to make certain that if such a course of is employed, it’s used expertly ,precisely and responsibly.
There are three new main updates price sharing:
Audit Replace: The town of Austin’s Audit Suggestions for Animal Companies is being labored on by the town workers. 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 evaluate — the audit mentioned that (pull out titles of the 2 suggestions that match right here). She believes that each areas shall be in compliance by finish of the yr which provides us hope. We would not have particulars on how these points shall be resolved simply but.
Metropolis of Austin Companion Group Coalition: A coalition of organizations which might be impacted essentially the most by Austin Animal Middle’s insurance policies and applications fashioned in 2023 to work on a shared imaginative and prescient for Austin’s animals and other people sooner or later. Our objective was to assist our metropolis leaders see the place Austin may very well 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 typically at odds for instance — APA!, Austin Humane Society and TRAPRS]. It additionally introduced collectively voices of neighborhood members who care about animals however aren’t a part of organizations via the usage of surveys and public boards. Our 2024 plan for this group is to proceed the partnership to convey our neighborhood collectively even additional. Austin Pets Alive! will proceed to have its personal voice, as will all of the organizations represented, however there’s a lot that we will converse on collectively as nicely to maintain enhancing our metropolis.
Animal Sheltering in Austin Survey: We requested the Austin neighborhood to present us data on what they have been conscious of, what they wished to see occur in Austin and the way essential 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 feel is most fascinating is the large assist our neighborhood has for animal points from all areas in Austin. We requested which council member district folks 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 essential to the bulk. There are a number of who don’t consider it’s important however the overwhelming majority need it to remain.
As the town strikes into strategic planning for animal providers, 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 manner.
