Shelter Intake Remains Low, ASAC Vacancies

 

Intake for the City of San Angelo Animal Shelter remains down from prior years and stood at 193 animals in January.  For the last four months of 2022 the shelter took in approximate 1,000 fewer animals than it did in 2017.  After the roach infestation/horrific hoarding conditions the shelter largely cut off accepting lost dogs from concerned citizens

The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee (ASAC) issued an agenda for their February 16, 2023 meeting.  Achieving a quorum may be more difficult as the Committee has two vacancies, positions previously held by:

SMD 4 representative: Michelle Barnett

SMD 5 representative: Bambi Aker

The agenda packet does not indicate why either member resigned or is no longer serving.  The information makes clear the shelter continues to follow Pets Alive protocols and strategies, which prioritize long stay, difficult to adopt dogs in the shelter over serving tax paying citizens.  

The packet does not provide information on the city's efforts to enforce its spay/neuter ordinance. which began in August  2022.  It is reasonable to expect information on this enforcement be available to this committee.

Concho Valley PAWS, the shelter's adoption/veterinary services contractor, recently made changes to its SNIP program (spay/neuter vouchers).   PAWS ceased public distribution of vouchers for the last two months and increased prices nearly across the board.  Those are not reflected in the ASAC agenda.

Also not on the agenda is the Animal Services update for City Council planned for February 21st.  The ASAC's purpose is to advise and assist the city's Animal Services Manager.  One might expect a public board to report up the chain, i.e. advise and assist City Council.  That is not the case.

San Angelo's City Council has supported the drastic reduction in services from the Animal Shelter and there are no signs that may change.  The February ASAC meeting, if it is held, will likely provide few clues to what the Animal Services Manager will present to Council the following Tuesday.

Update 2-22-23:  The ASAC meeting did not occur as the committee failed to reach a quorum.  Hopefully, the ASAC will hold their first meeting of 2023 on April 20, 2023.  

Update 3-23-23:  Council reappointed Bambi Aker (SMD 5) to the ASAC.  One vacancy remains to be filled.