[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6707402,"mediaKeyId","2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f","parentId",2109125,"title","TNR volunteers outline cumbersome workflow and ask commission to form working group","audioSeconds",945,"startMs",675000,"endMs",1620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f&start=675&end=1620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f/thumbnail_675000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6707402/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/TNR-volunteers-outline-cumbersome-workflow-and-ask-commission-to-form-working-group","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707402-83c2ff5197b5db9636ec55120b2a4baa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138034&Signature=hoTwvCpuOLxOa7kmte5yeLWsiwagB1pnnINtNDn3z-ZBiHI1hkMQ1MeNgY1CXEXe3veVfu-tOMZghYTleHNDVL3yp2m47QzLf9f7CGfZX-JQR9XehOVC7OwdJr22KXcJlxtLpD~96hOHMNS5Jn-BcGadX5o-Q78HF-lT2ZaRzapheyQGB0IrUrQvzmjVRtRsAzkTpdaAT8BaZHTGx3nB-GMaNGw1wdySQmoX0M7HaFIcwCpAIDXVvnsNtcPWrCHJD2DcguCsbSRVe2p~MvsA~dvHaJwHZ69A5uTbOEsoDMvCLGDP7FZSI0Qa-0rvOTckvlCgebAXlgm2mKQN7eS1ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","Volunteers who help run Austin’s community cat programs asked the Travis County Austin Animal Advisory Commission on Jan. 13, 2025, to sponsor a TNR working group and to pursue operational changes to make Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) more efficient and accessible.

Lauren Nesmith, a community volunteer working on TNR requests, told commissioners that more than 600 open requests exist and that only about 15 to 20 people are regular trappers. She described a multi-step process volunteers now use: locating requests via a public-facing form, consulting a volunteer-managed Google spreadsheet, signing up through a SignUpGenius page that lacks filters, and waiting for a manual transfer of assignments from “open” to “assigned.” Nesmith said volunteers often bypass the official system and rely on Facebook or Nextdoor because the spreadsheets and sign-up tools are not mobile friendly.

Wendy Weiss and Deborah Rowe, also volunteers, described fieldwork and post-surgery logistics. Weiss said trapping often happens the day before or morning of surgery, with cats taken to the “Caddy Shack,” a small climate-controlled building at the shelter where Austin Humane Society picks up and drops off cats. Volunteers log hours on paper or in separate forms, photograph and tag cats to prevent mix-ups, and sometimes house animals overnight or transport directly to clinic partners. Rowe described safety concerns for trappers (often women working alone at night), personal costs for supplies and transport, and the geographic mismatch between available participating clinics — “the three clinics that participate in the program are all in South Austin,” she said — which creates burdens for volunteers in north Austin.

Why it matters: volunteers said TNR is one of the most direct upstream tools to reduce shelter intake and that improving volunteer systems, clinic access and communications could reduce future intake and lower animal stress.

Requests and suggested actions

- Working group: Volunteers asked the commission to sponsor a TNR working group to create operational improvements and to recruit additional volunteers. Commissioners agreed to add “community cat processing” and a volunteer work group to future agendas and a volunteer commissioner offered to lead the initial effort.

- Systems and communications: Volunteers requested consolidated, mobile-friendly request tracking, clearer clinic scheduling notifications, and a more reliable way to reach community cat program managers outside business hours. Volunteers named Alyssa and Victoria at Austin Animal Services (AAC/ASO) as the current program contacts for on‑the‑ground questions but said those staff are not field trappers; actual trapping is volunteer-led.

- Clinic access and vouchers: Volunteers asked for options in North Austin to reduce travel burdens and requested clearer published guidance on when and how to use a medical voucher program (a non-emergency medical-voucher program dating to 2010 was referenced by a speaker).

Ending

Commissioners accepted the request to add TNR processing and a volunteer working group to a future agenda; Commissioner Huddleston volunteered to convene the group and staff encouraged public volunteers to meet with commissioners after the hearing to exchange contact information and next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Animal Advisory Commission - Jan 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Volunteers described a multi-step, largely manual Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) workflow and asked the commission to form a TNR working group to streamline processes, expand clinic access and reduce volunteer burden.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6707407,"Austin staff present draft Animal Services strategic plan; commissioners and volunteers urge funding, clarity on intake and measures",1143,2100000,3243000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f&start=2100&end=3243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f/thumbnail_2100000.jpg","/articles/6707407/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-staff-present-draft-Animal-Services-strategic-plan-commissioners-and-volunteers-urge-funding-clarity-on-intake-and-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707407-ef6833180a592108cc6096c0435d4970/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138034&Signature=hRKJiottLg2FuCafI~097-VpKFXogfKY80x-g7lzqbmL-xeL9cGgebmcfQaNL4P1g0Tgcy9P54wwf2zHUPdRB4HR-pytZlN5cbtYpOjSwOC3VBVod5aT9PSZAOnyMCBgdkOYb5L2GNCFpbWZSLZfDAKkfswpfS~Ns3cA0cxD7t~bAxuOseDEjySY0emkgFRNDOQJfDHmYZ3tiXbuImBAAEfOGtsnD1RqA0WNpVRs44Md20eKnYLPDdWFdPMrPA39nABfpvua~NsdhC2Aw-kC2acVZfXois77GK02W0t-kdk3A40PTXByu8jEo5upavtY2mnEDn7TlrKikSk9qtT1BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft 2025–2030 strategic plan for the City of Austin Animal Services Office at the Travis County Austin Animal Advisory Commission meeting on Jan. 13, 2025, and commissioners and members of the public urged clearer performance measures, dedicated budget discussions and protections for the city's 95% live-release target.

The staff presentation was led by Susana Carvajal, Assistant City Manager, with Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, and Audrey Munz, Budget and Performance Manager. Carvajal said community input shaped the plan: “Their valuable input has shaped the creation of ASO's draft strategic plan.” Munz told the commission that 2,041 people responded to the public survey used during the assessment phase and described the plan framework, which contains six focus areas: humane care, spay and neuter, open intake, live release, public health and safety, and staff and volunteers.

Why it matters: commissioners and advocates said the plan's goals are substantial but will require funding, clearer metrics, and next-step guidance to become actionable. Several public speakers asked the commission to schedule regular budget briefings tied to the plan and to add or clarify measures for intake and live release so the public can track progress.

The plan is intended as a five-year, living document that staff will finalize for design but not change in content before the commission's February discussion. Staff said they expect to bring the plan to City Council in March for consideration and adoption; implementation would begin after council action.

Key details

- Scope and process: Munz said the planning process began in spring 2024, used seven workshops facilitated by external consultant Dr. Larry Schueller and included working-group and planning-team members drawn from staff, volunteers and partner organizations. The working-group and planning-team lists were read at the meeting and include representatives from Austin Pets Alive, Austin Humane Society, volunteers and Animal Services staff.

- Measures and tracking: Munz and staff emphasized that each goal in the plan has measures, targets and strategies. Commissioners asked that percentage measures be accompanied by raw counts. Commissioner Herrera requested that measures include the numeric base behind any percentage so the public can judge scale and significance. Staff confirmed that data used in prior reports include base numbers and that staff will work to ensure clarity on measures and targets.

- Open intake and budget concerns: Multiple speakers pressed staff to clarify how open intake would be measured and funded. Public participant Pat Vas Reyes (introduced herself as a community advocate) requested that the commission add recurring agenda items to examine budget implications and timelines for reopening full intake without increasing euthanasia. At least one member of the working group and other public speakers asked for monthly budget briefings tied to the plan.

- Live-release requirement: Public speaker Susie Chase, identifying herself as a District 10 constituent and an employee at Austin Pets Alive, urged that the plan explicitly preserve the City Council–mandated 95% minimum live-release rate adopted in 2019. Chase said, “You will never build community trust if you do not include this language in the strategic plan.” Staff did not propose changing council policy in the presentation; they said any recommendations that would alter policy would be brought to the commission and the council for consideration.

- Implementation and scope: Don Bland summarized focus-area strategies including additional training on animal behavior, expanding low-cost spay/neuter services, collaborating with partners to divert animals from shelter intake, pursuing a new data-management system and conducting staffing and equipment analyses. Staff said the plan calls for reviewing policies, processes and regulations as part of implementation, but that any policy changes would go through the commission and council.

Public feedback and next steps

Speakers asked for improved customer service and clearer intake metrics. Kayla Murray described a December VIP adoption that she said was made difficult by shelter procedures and the shelter’s online sign-in process, AddAPet, and recited a staff remark in the intake area: “you know this dog was just returned for behavior. Right? And he cannot be around cats or small dogs because of his prey drive.” Murray urged additional customer-service training and a usability review of the AddAPet process.

Pat Vas Reyes and others asked the commission to host focused budget discussions in future meetings so the commission and community can understand how the plan's goals will be funded. Staff responded that assistant city managers will work on bringing budget presentations to future commission meetings. Staff also said the city maintains a continuity-of-operations plan for disasters and that Animal Services has an existing disaster plan.

The commission will formally discuss the draft plan at its February meeting and may forward recommendations to City Council. Staff said they will not alter plan content prior to the February discussion but will finalize the plan’s visual design. Upon commission recommendation, the plan is tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration in March.

Ending

Commissioners praised the breadth of stakeholder engagement but reiterated that turning the plan into measurable outcomes will require added clarity on metrics, monthly budget discussions and explicit language if the commission or council wants to preserve or change city policy such as the 95% live-release target.","City staff presented a draft five-year strategic plan for Austin Animal Services and heard public testimony urging clear measures for open intake, maintenance of a 95% live-release rate and improved customer service at the shelter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6707397,"Resident urges Austin Animal Services to stage outreach clinic after five puppies dumped in Elroy area",409,1444000,1853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f&start=1444&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109125-0cc9c7b5e28d4665fabbc86f1b7b299f/thumbnail_1444000.jpg","/articles/6707397/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resident-urges-Austin-Animal-Services-to-stage-outreach-clinic-after-five-puppies-dumped-in-Elroy-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707397-d8d6aea730ae53887182f93826c5ec70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138034&Signature=h8VdH6IGzryuoHk9aagHcVKrJg6uvFfGcEy8tjp5TPZ0gPYxKL81rzGlspaQmVlAvLIBWsdBq0X9rOcrY8xnQBcJhbg1oNKr4AnURUV23BBUCqooza9-65hD8RdZ3CtpbjWBqTJQ~HVWZg31IQy8cW6AyoroWLPIOmHZqZcnScotOUiiOqduUHOn6N7Ey~EhUl-4hcRjM2aYVnqKfhHmt61LBVuqZCjiJEgr2yEO6sGIU2BDO78EgwkGNMwRCmQGz3cdv4DoLx4h4vbxQPlEwFo-zKZdQv4pAI3-C08Nm-OJp2fKZ6jAIk3BjrqRFAuIuELwmPH9iD6-8B6jJebaAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 13, 2025 meeting of the Travis County Austin Animal Advisory Commission, resident Rochelle Vickery asked the commission and staff to consider staging an outreach clinic in the Elroy/Del Valle area after she reported multiple dumped puppies and difficulty placing animals with local shelters.

Vickery said she photographed five puppies that had been left with a man in the Elroy area, described them as about four to five months old and said the animals showed signs of parasites but not severe illness. She told commissioners she visited Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive and said both declined to take the puppies at the time. Vickery asked the commission to consider bringing a clinic to the area in April to help residents who face frequent dumping and to improve access to microchipping and basic care.

Why it matters: speakers said outreach clinics could capture animals that otherwise remain in unincorporated parts of Travis County, reduce abandonment and help identify owners via microchips. Commissioners noted the jurisdictional nuance — Vickery and the speakers said Elroy is unincorporated and part of Del Valle — and suggested staff would discuss how Animal Services handles calls from unincorporated areas.

Key details

- Location and jurisdiction: Vickery identified the area as Elroy, in unincorporated Travis County near the racetrack and Del Valle; commissioners suggested staff follow up on jurisdictional procedures for animals found in unincorporated areas.

- Request for clinic: Vickery asked specifically for a clinic in April and offered time-stamped photos as evidence she had documented the animals.

- Shelter response: Vickery said she tried to place dogs with Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive and that Austin Animal Center had helped previously; she characterized the current situation as urgent and recurring.

Ending

Commissioners said staff would address jurisdictional handling and encouraged Vickery to speak with staff during or after the meeting to provide photos and location details; staff follow-up was requested so the commission can evaluate a possible outreach clinic request.","A resident described multiple dumped puppies in the Elroy/Del Valle area and requested an outreach clinic there to help rescued dogs and encourage shelter access for residents in unincorporated areas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

TNR volunteers outline cumbersome workflow and ask commission to form working group

Austin staff present draft Animal Services strategic plan; commissioners and volunteers urge funding, clarity on intake and measures

Resident urges Austin Animal Services to stage outreach clinic after five puppies dumped in Elroy area