[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6643445,"mediaKeyId","2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7","parentId",2532452,"title","Public urges Austin Animal Center to offer foster option when adoptions are canceled for medical reasons; staff says policy change is under review","audioSeconds",941,"startMs",94000,"endMs",1035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7&start=94&end=1035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7/thumbnail_94000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643445/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Public-urges-Austin-Animal-Center-to-offer-foster-option-when-adoptions-are-canceled-for-medical-reasons-staff-says-policy-change-is-under-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643445-1d4bcbb4836b80d62fd0116cc13862e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498419&Signature=gbi9elG7Z2ibBqGb7DFn4twlGVmEg0loiAP2Oi2poPIOI6aVecdAOGhT6z2aSTMWHt0j4wJyQqmMNz6L6~Nv5XXsKnvzfQqk0QBVDv~ci6e8A8zU~sTqVS0TYmAwL6AyR1jUMobpFX~~txwMWBBsndQ6E6YQ1MnwlwamFueYJNYQ1P~gImUATxTJZbrZemswAGyguXoPa5COl2dLMhPVy7jzdlUhE3qbpZSYZV0oroo5sPbcOI6J1wHu03KPMCLUb6ARFGOSq0sOYKK689pOgnGC8-zIZ9tI9CczjLI~hes~MutU5WLnx1paNwijAUpM5E852c1CGUlBBI2dY8yvXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","A public commenter told the commission March 10 that an adoption she had arranged was canceled four hours before pickup when the animal encountered a medical complication, and she asked the Austin Animal Center to offer medical foster options to prospective adopters instead of leaving adopters uninformed.

Caitlin Banas, who identified her address in Round Rock and said she works with Austin Animal Center volunteers, said the adopter was told only that “this is just the policy” and was advised to call daily to check whether the animal would be available. She credited an Austin Animal Center admin, Sadie Spalding, for proactively contacting her and helping apply as a foster, and said the shelter should make that offer the default when animals on hold are medically appropriate for fostering.

ASO staff responded during the staff briefing that, once made aware of the concern, they were reviewing the cancellation process. Jason Garza said staff will begin asking adopters, when an adoption is canceled for a medical hold, whether they would be interested in fostering once veterinarians clear the animal for a foster placement: “we're going to just follow‑up with questions like once the animal is available and the vets have cleared it to be available into a home, whether they'd be interested in fostering or not.”

Commissioners asked staff to follow up with specifics on the particular 311 incident cited in public comment; Garza said he would investigate and provide more information to commission staff for distribution to commissioners.

Ending: The commission did not adopt a new policy at the meeting but directed staff to follow up with the commenter and to implement the described change to follow up with adopters about fostering for medically held animals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Animal Advisory Commission - Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter said an adoption was canceled four hours before pickup because of a medical issue; she urged the shelter to offer a foster option when animals are placed on medical hold. Staff said they will include a foster follow‑up when adoptions are canceled for medical reasons.","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},6643450,"Public and commissioners ask Austin Animal Services to set measurable targets before council adoption of strategic plan",256,2616000,2872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7&start=2616&end=2872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7/thumbnail_2616000.jpg","/articles/6643450/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Public-and-commissioners-ask-Austin-Animal-Services-to-set-measurable-targets-before-council-adoption-of-strategic-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643450-84ba52e4dd19b979b0458c1de1246011/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498419&Signature=VvboTP1026GESeCFCqRhdVhAfz9per7t~yzh-HyXddxoClfOxYotLaA1OYG5EHFkS1sTtU9N7OKeFkYcsgvHwPCGeD0k0HI5c61pQjZL2mog6ANnMujy6faQTMQPH5tm1DMIsuDODqcF2NRAOLsTv4cddtAtbF9Z-MtC2unv9RsB~zqNQvxFmgtEilZFLbA3PtEKQpAp~AxctPONMfGg0xgBBk-Mb5I2-gYn-titgn-6R4xHpUG04a4pvrvqToEKHAdp~o6xwypv33VX-qlyxf8RitGpqeIQnN9PJKxAc0ygPUhsGhYupvNzRbvEF0uiVuBcOR5YFR8W1Pc9Xnddww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters and several commissioners urged Austin Animal Services and the commission on March 10 to develop measurable baselines and targets for the department’s strategic plan before it is presented to City Council.

Multiple working‑group members and volunteers said the plan’s language is useful but that unspecified or vague measures could be met with very small changes. Volunteer Shelly Leebam, who participated on a working group, said the plan needs numeric baselines before targets are set so stakeholders can see progress compared to current performance. Long‑time volunteer and former commissioner Pat Valdres told the commission she was “caught off guard” at the speed of the process and said, “I would like this to not be approved as a plan until it has targets.”

Commissioners discussed the need for baselines and what data ASO can provide. Staff said analysts must first confirm what measures are being requested; some routinely tracked measures are easier to produce than others. Staff indicated the city manager’s office may still involve the advisory commission in target‑setting and that the commission could continue to provide input.

Commissioners asked that the commission receive baselines and return with suggested targets so council decisions in the coming months are informed by quantifiable objectives. No formal vote was taken to withhold endorsement, but multiple public commenters and commissioners urged delaying final adoption until targets are agreed.

Ending: Commissioners added a budget discussion to a future agenda and requested staff follow up on baseline data for the plan’s measures.","Public commenters and commissioners pressed Austin Animal Services to develop baseline data and specific targets for the department’s strategic plan before council consideration; some asked the commission to delay endorsement until numeric targets are set.",{"_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},6643455,"Austin Animal Services reports February outcomes, staffing vacancies and unmet budget requests",1720,819000,2539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7&start=819&end=2539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7/thumbnail_819000.jpg","/articles/6643455/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Animal-Services-reports-February-outcomes-staffing-vacancies-and-unmet-budget-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643455-ee6d0e939bad283ef9052497a91da3e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498419&Signature=V7cP05A-7jJSKhmVFLe0kBnCryRJ9CQ9C44gX26a6aClSd2RPHo~LRl34U6Z1nX~Z8ZlPzbWJwxPDwEUdeg9mlCbhL3AS59rutpy-5N0bkWIpddqSbcmaQhbJHBah021WNm8p5NxucLwVwtTUWF~jG0thu3ABMBOG46p~-LdIEsRd12oxs4~2D2rTsMtTR3V9BiSdjHPQSxeHf7KzWt93lp0F7svzNE828YVpxoeYQbNoVR1EV7N88QX1BtJacJt53l3-i50jUZLs6zo36ehEe~TLMY82rOI0KPSMY3~RZ-ok4L03tG-blKemyqlERAjKyNI8wtqe4t9kfB~hN4FoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Garza of Austin Animal Services presented the department’s February report and an overview of the current fiscal year budget and unmet needs.

Garza reported a 95.81% live outcome rate for February and said the center took in 846 animals that month. He said 526 animals were adopted and about 75 animals were returned to owners; staff made more than 2,200 public contacts, handled 197 rabies exposure reports, delivered roughly 62 wildlife animals to partner rescues, and received 89 injured animals. Garza said veterinary staff performed more than 700 exams and spayed or neutered about 405 animals.

Garza said 536 volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours, and the shelter has approximately 802 approved fosters working from an active foster group. On staffing, ASO reported 4–5 vacant regular full‑time positions (some in process of hiring) and 1.5 temporary vacancies.

On the budget, staff provided the commission a snapshot of ASO’s current budget of roughly $23.47 million (general fund and an interlocal agreement with Travis County). ASO reported it submitted unmet need requests totaling about $3.6 million, including 36 new positions; the final adopted budget provided roughly $677,000 and 2.5 regular positions for foster and adoption counseling.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Nielsen pressed whether baseline data for the strategic plan targets could be compiled; staff said baselines will depend on which measures are requested and that staff can provide data that are tracked routinely. When asked about a public comment concerning adoption cancellations for animals on medical hold and whether fostering might be offered, Garza said staff would implement follow‑up changes: when an adoption is canceled due to medical hold, staff will ask whether the adopter would be willing to foster when the animal is medically appropriate for fostering and will follow up with adopters once the animal is cleared by veterinarians.

Ending: Staff said they would provide additional follow‑up on specific 311 incidents and vacancy details to commissioners on request, and commissioners asked to place budget discussion on a future agenda to allow more detailed review before the council budget cycle.","ASO staff reported a 95.81% live outcome rate for February, 846 intakes, 526 adoptions and unmet‑need budget requests totaling about $3.6 million (36 positions). Council awarded partial funding of roughly $677,000, including 2.5 FTEs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643460,"Commission forms working group to boost turnout for Good Fix spay‑neuter clinics; April clinic set for April 3–7",751,4067000,4818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7&start=4067&end=4818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7/thumbnail_4067000.jpg","/articles/6643460/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-forms-working-group-to-boost-turnout-for-Good-Fix-spayneuter-clinics-April-clinic-set-for-April-37","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643460-7624de54656b3556ba28f1ff5ca561a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498419&Signature=INqGDNAlosGERBYGCK5F3q8FzmO~0db9lSSqiqnnz910TAc-WZUMNc6EX6fFflY2ZMBNZ8yV70ul39SUqUvjnQJAkql3STk2hZ0gi~eswb0n7XShmwOL3JRY0E6eVPAttd12JmtWTiRFVOzYWJOOcPGF0N2LMduGrfyoGNA6V85CFiS~xh5WWRDYL0NX6-S-k7gnfroXUJ-LVuSMt3bxSI1q-YhCuabdmCYPe1jGWwIAi~OXhNCf4G0gEAdVE7Md23XUenvsb5yKc7bLsXydE8ZlB~TMZLd6iqNlcxfK-YMulzqj9z4Rhp3NUz7TB9m6rkUpg010ukCHMKmh5ry-IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Animal Advisory Commission on March 10 unanimously approved forming a working group to improve outcomes for Greater Good Charities’ Good Fix spay‑neuter clinics, including marketing, outreach and volunteer support.

Public commenters and volunteers urged stronger promotion, earlier media outreach, Spanish‑language outreach, and help with transportation to clinics. Volunteer Shelly Leebam reported that the three Good Fix clinics held so far spayed “near a total of 3,140 animals” but said the program has fallen short of the contract target of 8,400 surgeries across seven clinics and the per‑clinic goal of 1,200 procedures.

Jason Garza and staff said the city will increase outreach efforts, use bilingual outreach coordinators, distribute flyers to council offices, and pitch stories to local media. Staff also confirmed the April clinic will run April 3–7 at 4115 South Capital of Texas Highway. Staff described check‑in procedures: attendees will be checked for Travis County residency (examples cited included a utility bill), cats should be in carriers and dogs on leashes, and pets will be picked up after surgery by phone notification. Staff said check‑in begins early in the morning (staff cited an approximate arrival/check‑in window starting about 7:30–8:30 a.m.).

Volunteers and commissioners said transportation remains a barrier for some residents; staff and commissioners discussed recruiting volunteers to provide rides and boosting Spanish‑language outreach. Commissioner Holt and others emphasized that outreach should reach East Austin neighborhoods and that flyers should state accessible proof‑of‑residency rules to avoid confusion about IDs.

The commission’s motion directed staff and the working group to coordinate outreach and report back; no additional funding was approved at the meeting. Volunteers were encouraged to contact commission members and staff to assist with April clinic planning.

Ending: The commission established the working group and encouraged public participation; staff will send the clinic flyer electronically to commissioners and coordinate outreach.","After public comment about lower than expected clinic turnout and volunteer concerns, the commission voted to form a working group to support marketing, outreach, and volunteer coordination for Greater Good Charities' Good Fix clinics. The April clinic is scheduled April 3–7 at 4115 S. Capital of Texas Highway.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643465,"Animal advisory commission forms working group to study long‑distance adoptions",788,3160000,3948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7&start=3160&end=3948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532452-6541da0dd6d7484b017318d16de7c7e7/thumbnail_3160000.jpg","/articles/6643465/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Animal-advisory-commission-forms-working-group-to-study-longdistance-adoptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643465-f2b5dafcdc1f04654109a42443337a38/orig.mp4?Expires=1775498419&Signature=AXRDbPhDPqmvyOeYgzq6s7PqjENZNMR-59ntbzPnH0x74vXi6O5CEQFuRDEc99XFWykexCeqszapVuge06k5f~ZmYUciL0yxvKJBXlw~DSEWuQf6DsBjbtrVUvpk5WGYaZqgX~DHEzlNVGWvbEsRgkVqdxWbl5i5azUpy2bf-BMvffCciPZWD1K-ru6B707IG9XVwcl8MjvLgbOQ-SP46h7mJZ481Ptcp7aTaep26pP2FMFJ3Db4ZNPF~v-Fs2ogGsZUCL4UMruhWy6gOtzKZhmm6fM1fEq5Gk1NH2ZlUCRF~l1KxRHlT4cMexIQIS~O0jGAg~iGm5l4PC2k4JQjjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Animal Advisory Commission on March 10 voted unanimously to form a working group to study long‑distance adoption models, including direct long‑distance adoptions to individual adopters and transport to out‑of‑state adopters.

Commissioner Holt moved to form the working group; Commissioner Hoch seconded the motion and the commission approved it unanimously. Holt volunteered to chair the group and asked commissioners and volunteers to join.

Commissioners and volunteers said long‑distance adoption differs from transferring animals to out‑of‑state rescue partners, and that a responsible, vetted program could increase placements for animals that are harder to rehome locally. Commissioner Holt said, “Long distance adoptions sometimes get conflated with the idea of transferring to rescues out of state. Those are two separate things.”

Public commenters who support the idea described successful volunteer‑led transport and placement efforts. Volunteer Shelly Leebam said she’d discussed out‑of‑state marketing last fall and called the long‑distance model “a wonderful idea.” Long‑time volunteer and former commissioner Pat Valdres urged a working group to sort through the “nuances” and balance local needs against regional transfers.

Commissioners acknowledged risks raised by commenters: no‑shows by remote adopters, potential harm to animals if vetting is insufficient, and the effect of transferring pets on shelters in receiving communities. Commissioners said the working group should study screening, logistics, funding, volunteer role, and safeguards to protect animals and receiving communities.

Next steps: the working group will convene with staff to scope a feasibility study and report back to the commission. The commission did not adopt a policy at the meeting; it created the working group to research options and return recommendations.

Ending: The working group is expected to meet informally soon; volunteers and commissioners interested in participating were asked to contact Commissioner Holt by commission email.","The Austin Animal Advisory Commission voted unanimously March 10 to form a working group, chaired by Commissioner Holt, to research long‑distance adoption models and feasibility, after public comment and commissioner discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public urges Austin Animal Center to offer foster option when adoptions are canceled for medical reasons; staff says policy change is under review

Public and commissioners ask Austin Animal Services to set measurable targets before council adoption of strategic plan

Austin Animal Services reports February outcomes, staffing vacancies and unmet budget requests

Commission forms working group to boost turnout for Good Fix spay‑neuter clinics; April clinic set for April 3–7

Animal advisory commission forms working group to study long‑distance adoptions