[{"_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",6539153,"mediaKeyId","3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f","parentId",3731019,"title","GoodFix volunteer marketing group pushes for higher turnout at July clinic; commissioners approve working-group members","audioSeconds",441,"startMs",5329000,"endMs",5770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f&start=5329&end=5770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f/thumbnail_5329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539153/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/GoodFix-volunteer-marketing-group-pushes-for-higher-turnout-at-July-clinic-commissioners-approve-working-group-members","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539153-2444f699f921156552f81164f06c1fcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509153&Signature=IzfGntrteubTHaL4kVOocZpHQfcnI9vluQGLeYnp-ZiysaAh12sItNR1nEEhXDkosQeriIBwRN8d0OzeFkFqV9sI-Vixs6Bz9ZDDnSzXK89hHr9W3cAJg3AGU7iNZGniI88af2Am7R8Mn4YoBl~HP-ZDx-~je7IVDBYNjyEbJm-~vfyCprxESAlKoZIwwN2PR-yeApnRjuARlVWpQkw6Sbhg~w~8CpeWS3Z41B2cIpwQE4EiXUcJZKbwBVteNBhe2PBelYAsk9Ws2PvZHYV-eJs~Srte83XXZtUvRxNLuQJOxUVR8jOy8Ak8zVLu-hVzcESUcFHggeG4mUUftdBqbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Volunteers in the GoodFix spay/neuter clinic working group told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission on June 16 they hope to increase turnout for the July 28–August 1 clinic and asked for additional marketing and outreach support from the Austin Animal Center.

Shelly Liebman, a volunteer who has worked multiple GoodFix clinics, described a recent clinic in Alaska where volunteers and local ground partners provided extensive support that increased turnout; she urged similar coordination in Austin for the July clinic. Under the contract with GreaterGood Charities the original target was 1,200 surgeries per clinic; Liebman said the cumulative target for seven clinics was 8,400 but that the program had reached about 4,086 surgeries to date. She asked the commission and community to help with targeted flyers, neighborhood outreach and other marketing tactics.

Liebman: “The majority of folks who staff these clinics are volunteers. Vets, vet techs, dog handlers from all over the country. They give up their personal time to be here, and let's make it worth their while in July.”

Commissioners moved to expand and formalize the GoodFix marketing working group roster. The commission approved the list of commissioners and public members for the working group in a single vote: commissioner members named included Paige Nelson, Erin Ferguson, Luis Herrera and Whitney Holt; public members approved included Shelly Liebman, Tammy Wilkinson, Jen Daniel, Vicky Pridgen and Carolyn Clay. The motion to approve the members passed in the meeting transcript (vote counts were not recorded in the transcript).

Staff and volunteers discussed specific marketing tactics — outreach to neighborhoods near COTA (the clinic venue), posting in local media, flyer distribution, and leveraging partner organizations — and said working-group members would distribute materials and coordinate volunteer outreach in the coming weeks.

Why it matters: Higher turnout at GoodFix clinics reduces surgical wait times regionally and directly supports public-animal health goals; volunteers stressed that advance marketing and local partnerships are essential to hit clinic capacity targets.

What’s next: The working group will continue outreach and provide materials to the shelter and commissioners said they expect a formal recommendations update at the next meeting packet; the July clinic dates are July 28–Aug 1, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Animal Advisory Commission - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A volunteer working group reported marketing and outreach ideas to boost turnout for the July 28–Aug 1 GoodFix spay/neuter clinic and commissioners approved membership to the GoodFix marketing working group; volunteers urged more shelter marketing support and local community outreach to reach the 1,200-case target for each clinic.","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},6539156,"CommunityCats volunteers ask commission for consistent protocol, voucher review and field support role",381,4512000,4893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f&start=4512&end=4893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f/thumbnail_4512000.jpg","/articles/6539156/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/CommunityCats-volunteers-ask-commission-for-consistent-protocol-voucher-review-and-field-support-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539156-cc6b9101169a8f2454e9cd9a6f29a058/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509153&Signature=JImPR2hIXVaoQlKx~XTwss4xi26TZOhiS5WSBhDtrZY1Ks6bfZCTYOQbcVOm2N2gshF9Ylqk-sIKAF4xr9KrHsGZ~U0N5vzdjcXjVIqrFSBWhxdIbwWV4xlr9cWnRTmCGpZNWw52zmPH7h39udyd3XRpU3GFnowg6gOTrI0sNckq5u3N55rj7aNi5c5sRpO5QZbg3H4NRXq1LV2GqjQ36fcxZghDIM1ZU9ZJSLYD5MFWJ7wJ4iQHmhreuydpu8JxN1RiuSzHdaEJllSJTUHO8~wFZXzL1G-4aWwFy~CJLgEpp3vBJVMyLHJX4QLsuRWozCEWQUYbqwxIX0R4HtNe6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers who run trap-neuter-return (TNR) operations across Travis County told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission on June 16 that program problems are eroding public trust, increasing volunteer burnout and reducing effectiveness.

Deborah Rowe, representing the CommunityCats Working Group, said volunteers encounter inconsistent treatment depending on which staff member is on duty, that colony cats promised to caregivers were sometimes adopted without notice, and that 3-1-1 staff had outdated guidance. Rowe asked the commission to adopt five formal recommendations (to be submitted in writing) including a single shared protocol for handling community cats, clearer coordination among PRC (public reclaim), SNR and community-cats teams, and a fiscal reassessment of the medical voucher program.

Rowe: “We need a single shared protocol that is used consistently across public-facing teams.”

The group told commissioners that the current medical voucher cap of $250 (the amount volunteers and advocates said is in effect) has not kept pace with veterinary costs and that volunteers often pay the balance out of pocket. Another recommendation asked staff to explore restoring a dedicated field or trapper support position — a staff role that previously coordinated trapping logistics and reduced volunteer burnout.

Jacoby Alvarez, a volunteer, said a staff trapper or designated field support person would improve responsiveness, help triage urgent requests and reduce the operational risk tied to an entirely volunteer-run scheduling spreadsheet. Laura Nesmith, another volunteer, asked the commission to require more collaborative development of volunteer-facing materials and identification: she said a city-issued shirt designed without volunteer input failed to meet field visibility and safety needs.

Commissioner Holt and Commissioner Huddleston (who have been leading commission engagement with the working group) said they plan a one-on-one meeting with ASO community-cats staff to finalize the recommendations and asked staff to schedule the group’s written proposals for the next meeting packet.

Clarification at the meeting: volunteers and commissioners discussed the voucher amount; speakers and commissioners stated $250 as the current cap and recommended a fiscal evaluation — they did not adopt a new cap during the meeting.

Why it matters: TNR volunteers operate across the county and are critical to community-cat management and public-health outcomes; inconsistent practice or insufficient funding could reduce volunteer retention and program effectiveness.

What’s next: The CommunityCats working group plans to submit written recommendations next month; commissioners signaled they will review the proposals and consider formal action.","Members of the CommunityCats working group presented preliminary recommendations to the commission asking for a single coordinated protocol for community cat intake and return, a fiscal review of the $250 medical voucher cap, restored or designated trapping/field support staff, and more appropriate volunteer identification materials.",{"_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},6539161,"Animal Services begins implementing 2025–2030 strategic plan; staff set baselines and seek commission input on targets",802,2663000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f&start=2663&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6539161/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Animal-Services-begins-implementing-20252030-strategic-plan-staff-set-baselines-and-seek-commission-input-on-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539161-197ff408bcb129325eeaae6c3bab917e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509153&Signature=olBkEKKFIb4~W9DPCFm1JO0enDuMxwZQm0Ks5et1V~3vLIZ8NTsrm0NkTF5SPUkV9inyz2FZtnvGVGSExPR6U3Ch9jzh90plBXX8gaNwV0tgNOoclNOEF8~JHGWCtiSqcvwLLPScwbYf67N1wJ6nXnu2-bIxWn1uEldofNA6Gg6cVq0dCgz30Ug8qFXL8mMvcEc3SJRGo9dgydIADBqTc55~O-oInYULT~tAblOXtSEelu-C77GGmo6dhUtcXm8cK5WqneVBdUHThSLGBll6J8UprzYsWm8e7RhqDWDIn5kbiFXbDNHbvT4pGwH~RHLy43~bKw-IJw21iRyBZ8vkbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Animal Services Office (ASO) told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission on June 16 that it has moved from plan adoption to implementation and is building baselines, tracking metrics and aligning staff responsibilities to measure progress against the 2025–2030 strategic plan.

Juana (Jowani) Torres, strategic plan project manager for ASO, said the plan — adopted by council in March 2025 after a year-long community process — contains six focus areas, 18 goals and 64 strategies. Since May 19 (the plan’s implementation kickoff), staff have been running workshops, creating an internal tracker, collecting baseline data and defining roles to measure and report progress.

Torres: “We are developing what that baseline will be — where are we now, where are we starting, and where are we going when it comes to the measures and targets that we're working toward.”

Torres outlined ongoing actions tied to the plan: expanding playgroups and cat portals, a greeter position, faster pathways for spay/neuter and transport programs, a pilot for microchip scanning and expanded volunteer on-boarding and SOPs. She said staff are preparing a dashboard that will be launched in January to show status updates and metrics; quarterly written memos to mayor and council and twice-yearly in-person presentations to the commission are planned.

Interim Animal Services Officer Rolando Fernandez framed five leadership priorities that feed into implementation: team culture, documented procedures and operations, resource alignment, facility improvements (short-term HVAC fixes and a longer-term bond-funded plan), and community relations to coordinate with partners that perform services outside ASO’s core responsibilities.

Fernandez: “We are working to make our facility better for our animals and our people…and developing a long-term plan as part of our bond program.”

Commissioners asked for a standing process to provide commission input on targets and measures. Torres suggested the commission consider forming a working group to advise on targets and metrics; commissioners expressed interest in receiving draft targets in advance so they can prepare for votes or formal feedback.

Why it matters: The strategic plan sets the department’s priorities for five years and will guide staffing, partnership and facility decisions that affect shelter operations and community programs.

What’s next: Staff will continue collecting baseline data through December and work with commissioners and community partners to refine targets and performance measures; a public dashboard is planned for January 2026.","Staff presented an update on the Austin Animal Services Office (ASO) 2025–2030 strategic plan implementation: baseline metrics, an internal tracker, cross-staff alignment, and a public dashboard planned for January; commissioners were asked to consider a working group to provide input on targets and measures.",{"_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},6539165,"Austin Animal Services reports high intake, 90% live outcome rate and short-term space-management steps",808,1452000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f&start=1452&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f/thumbnail_1452000.jpg","/articles/6539165/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Animal-Services-reports-high-intake-90-live-outcome-rate-and-short-term-space-management-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539165-8841023fbfbe644f7bf6fe4dc6a5a0f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509153&Signature=owexSNJHdjgyLAi9NiqPEkx~qduXZcX4RreEvazLrj7uX7dlNgAMFhR0IIT19KaahwTqH56OihQD7Q6t9QtRcOPlLiCAAPxS2rZUJwvCk1eGGxXJviqddChK9axQ81p6iu-BlhB6Lsl3vgmRrSSKFrnaCn-VB6ETMI19qwsd6Mg~VIZczgO~QFuJ9XSxGwStDdENaC35EyhoHARASPtzZ3mFkkbwLXZ2wLjkrD4TYbqOxvTK0pZvXp0w7GO9ZytOHY0kjmRTXNrPy5o8k6T3RMgcCNxVvj0MlUc6CDCtgb2qktXuUj1phzg4u2xEA~d8VtJSsxdcEVrc6dXUVnKl9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Animal Services staff told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission on June 16 that May 2025 was a high-intake month and outlined current operational responses to capacity pressures.

Jason Garza, presenting the monthly statistical report, said May intake totaled roughly 1,300 animals and that the department was transitioning data systems from Chameleon to Shelter Buddy. Garza said the month’s live outcome rate — combining records from both systems for the month — was 90.13 percent. He reported 500 adoptions, 80 returns to owners, more than 5,200 volunteers contributing about 6,880 hours and 656 members in foster care representing roughly 474 animals in foster.

Garza: “May was a rough month for us, at least with intake. We had a total of 1,300 animals. The live outcome cumulatively was 90.13 percent.”

Garza said veterinary services recorded many emergencies, especially among kittens; staff performed about 420 spay/neuter surgeries and transferred 326 animals to partner rescues. He acknowledged problems with national listing feeds (24PetConnect, Adopt-a-Pet) and said staff would investigate why some returned or fostered animals were not appearing correctly on external sites.

On capacity, Garza said the shelter was in the red across categories (large dogs, small dogs and cats). He described creative space-management measures: playgroups and compatibility assessments to double usable kennel capacity in some areas, grouping animals that arrive together, and targeting recruitment of foster and rescue partners. Garza said the department was offering financial incentives to rescues that pull animals to free kennel space, raising the reimbursement to $750 for some animals.

Interim Animal Services Officer Rolando Fernandez described management priorities beyond immediate space fixes: improving team culture, documenting operations and standard operating procedures, clarifying euthanasia criteria and strengthening facility maintenance. Fernandez said building services have been engaged on HVAC and that a long-term facility plan would be developed as part of future bond work.

Fernandez: “Facilities has been a major concern. We’re working on a short-term plan to make our facility better for our animals and our people, and a long-term plan as part of our bond program.”

Commissioners asked specific follow-ups: test and restore external listing feeds, confirm which animals under veterinary care can be listed for foster adoption, and bring euthanasia criteria and urgent placement-list procedures back to the commission for review. Staff said they would look into each request and provide specifics in later materials.

Why it matters: High intake and software transition affect adoption listings, volunteer coordination and shelter capacity; staff described both immediate workarounds and longer-term plans that could require budget or bond support.

What’s next: Staff said they would investigate external listing issues, provide memos on euthanasia procedures and continue developing the strategic plan implementation workstreams and facility fixes.","Animal Services staff told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission the department handled about 1,300 intakes in May, reported a 90.13% live outcome rate, described software transition impacts and outlined short-term strategies to manage overcrowding, while leadership said a strategic plan and facility fixes are underway.",{"_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},6539170,"Volunteers and residents urge Austin Animal Center to halt short-notice euthanasia notices and improve transparency",94,169000,263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f&start=169&end=263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731019-9782ddc5fde090b2fd3615dfd6d2cd2f/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6539170/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Volunteers-and-residents-urge-Austin-Animal-Center-to-halt-short-notice-euthanasia-notices-and-improve-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539170-58234ccdfc8d2bd7a492a88c7d0726b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509153&Signature=kzzJiyuj2w-ptvSsXfkkk0ODNY11PcMk8G0ij~2c0~L4U3aXFmoiGNiiuAGfAZRu6Q2IFVlCxEny9GJuz8-RVIuegd2R6H5D-PFnNKgh29gwiYTqC0-zN3r-Ve4lULMP5zOoaVwlzIEWg5B-WeyiGaij9PgmHgd3-Ab00lkccpgeM87un~keb943k~EWzwPLKSxytiyJNOXpe5FHO1aoIB~C3pJHnLTZmvjTEgtODNPVuBnmvtx0EzMWA10Y8TqueDarwh62hy1VFq3oVI7W50fWv1DN1~mgjxN~PDlPEGc-sPFYh1xXKDOy95~FrteK864L0deOGxMBVwo8JEo6FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers and community members told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission on June 16 that Austin Animal Center (AAC) issued four euthanasia notices earlier that day and that the notices gave too little time and too little behavior context for rescue partners to respond.

The most direct comments came from Heather Myers, an attorney and AAC volunteer, who said AAC’s buildings were struggling to stay cool and that the shelter’s “urgent placement list” transparency commitment has not been fulfilled. Myers said at least four euthanasia notices were issued that day and that two of the dogs singled out — Sage and “Billy Girl” — were on the list as public-safety risks despite single-bite records that, she said, occurred while volunteers or staff were breaking up dog fights.

Myers: “We need more time, more transparency, and more humane decision making based on actual facts and common sense.”

Several other volunteers described the same concern. Julie Oliver, who said she volunteers about 20 hours a week at AAC, named the four dogs receiving notices as Fondue, Billy Girl, Sage and Dudley and said the dogs’ bite histories were months old and that, since those incidents, the dogs had continued safe interactions with volunteers and the public. She said staff had not provided consistent behavior reporting and raised several operational concerns, including lack of safety equipment for staff, insufficient daily walks for many dogs and an incident she said involved alleged taunting of a fearful dog by veterinary staff.

Julie Oliver: “This is about space and we are a no-kill shelter yet public safety is now being used to justify killing dogs that have shown no recent incidents.”

Max Oliver, a volunteer and mentor for new volunteers, told commissioners that Dudley — one of the dogs named in the notices — regularly meets new volunteers and has shown no aggression, and said the euthanasia notice felt driven by space constraints.

Jason Garza, who presented the monthly staff report for Animal Services during the meeting, confirmed the shelter has been transitioning software (from Chameleon to Shelter Buddy), reported May intake of roughly 1,300 animals and said the live outcome rate for the month was about 90.13 percent. Garza said veterinary services saw many emergencies and that a “good portion” of euthanasia counts in recent months consisted of very young kittens or cats that were not viable.

Garza also described space-management measures: playgroups to increase kennel capacity, double-housing compatible dogs, and incentives for rescue partners to pull animals (he said the department was offering up to $750 in reimbursement to rescues to free kennel space).

Interim Animal Services Officer Rolando Fernandez, who spoke later in the meeting, said the department is drafting a marketing/outreach plan, adding staff support for communications and working on short-term and long-term facility improvements. Fernandez also said leadership is reviewing procedures around criteria used when euthanasia is considered and offered to return with a written memo and a future presentation about those criteria.

Fernandez: “We want to make sure that as a department we are doing those things the right way… If we are doing the right thing and still having challenges meeting performance measures, then that becomes a matter of more resources.”

Commissioners and several volunteers asked for a formal agenda item or a working group to review urgent placement list policy, euthanasia-notice procedure and related transparency. Commissioner Del Zayde said she would add the topic as a future agenda item; Commissioner Linder and others said the commission could create a working group to follow up.

The public speakers also raised other operational concerns: problems with national adoption listing feeds, animals in foster not appearing online, and that animals under veterinary care are sometimes not visible to potential fosters even when they could be eligible.

Why it matters: Volunteers who know individual animals firsthand told commissioners that dogs on euthanasia notice had continued safe interactions and that the notices are being used to manage overcrowding. Commissioners asked staff to bring the euthanasia criteria and notification procedures back to the commission in a format that allows public scrutiny.

What’s next: Several commissioners suggested adding a formal agenda item or establishing a working group to review the urgent placement list, euthanasia-notice procedures, and the shelter’s transparency commitments. Staff said they would prepare memos and could present the euthanasia/behavior criteria to the commission at a future meeting.","Volunteers, frequent shelter visitors and residents told the Austin Animal Advisory Commission that four dogs received euthanasia notices with limited rescue time, arguing the actions reflect a space crisis rather than public-safety needs and calling for clearer criteria, more transparency and improved shelter conditions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

GoodFix volunteer marketing group pushes for higher turnout at July clinic; commissioners approve working-group members

CommunityCats volunteers ask commission for consistent protocol, voucher review and field support role

Animal Services begins implementing 2025–2030 strategic plan; staff set baselines and seek commission input on targets

Austin Animal Services reports high intake, 90% live outcome rate and short-term space-management steps

Volunteers and residents urge Austin Animal Center to halt short-notice euthanasia notices and improve transparency