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Highland Village outlines animal-shelter changes after parvo outbreaks, pauses surrenders
Summary
City staff described facility upgrades, a suspension of owner surrenders after repeated parvo outbreaks, use of a contracted kennel service and volunteer program, and council asked staff to return with hiring options for an in‑house kennel technician.
Highland Village officials gave a detailed update on animal services on Feb. 11, describing recent investments in the city shelter, a temporary halt to owner surrenders after three parvo outbreaks, continued use of an outside kennel service for cleaning and overflow, and the city’s efforts to limit onward transfers of hard-to-adopt animals.
The report, delivered by the city’s animal‑services presenter identified in the session as Steve, said the shelter has capacity for about 10 dogs and 14 cats. Steve said the city pays $233,574 out of the police‑department budget for animal‑services expenses (about 4% of that department budget) and that $53,000 was budgeted for contracted shelter services; the annual contract value with the vendor All American Dogs was given as about $45,074 per year. He said the city has paused accepting owner surrenders since March 2024 after three parvo outbreaks and to reduce overcrowding; intake numbers dropped notably after that suspension.
Why the pause matters: the presenter said parvo outbreaks and related animal deaths prompted the change. He described operational problems the shelter has faced — power interruptions, a failed air conditioner, towels and donated items that introduced pests, and the need for electrical and kennel‑replacement work. He said cat‑kennel replacement alone was estimated at roughly $17,000 in a recent year and that some facility work requires landlord approval because the city rents the building.
City staff described what they currently provide: one full‑time animal‑control officer (Wes), five additional sworn officers certified for animal control, a volunteer auxiliary program, and agreements with regional rescue partners and software tools (BigCurve shelter software and postings to RescueGroups.org). The presenter said the shelter posts incoming animals immediately to rescue websites and Facebook to improve reunification and adoption. He also said the shelter had about a 66% return‑to‑owner rate for animals collected as “at‑large” (55 of 83 collected animals returned to owners in the previous year) and that many bite reports involved owned dogs that escaped their yards rather than feral animals.
Public comment and council response: resident Martha Perlmutter (624 Timbercrest Circle) urged the city to hire its own kennel technician rather than continue reliance on an outside facility, and said she was aware All American Dogs was under state and federal scrutiny. Steve and other staff said the city suspended surrenders in part because of the parvo incidents and because fewer animals needed transfer after the suspension. Council members asked follow‑up questions about transfer statistics to All American Dogs (dates and outcomes) and whether staff had verified adoption and euthanasia rates at the vendor; staff said they have records and could provide the requested data. Council asked staff to bring discussion of hiring an additional animal‑control officer or kennel technician as a future agenda item.
No formal council action was taken on animal‑services staffing during the session; the council did request staff return with options and data. Several council members and residents praised recent shelter improvements (shade, turf and outdoor viewing spaces) and noted adoptions from the shelter by council households.
Staff emphasized operational constraints: the shelter building is rented and modifications require landlord approval; certain maintenance and large equipment replacement require bids when costs exceed threshold amounts; and the city retains the discretion to accept emergency surrenders (for example, after an owner death). The presenter said the shelter employs body‑worn‑camera evidence and other record keeping for enforcement and inspections; state inspections are performed annually and the shelter has received satisfactory ratings.
Looking ahead, staff said they will continue to prioritize preventing infectious outbreaks, finishing required electrical and kennel upgrades, using donations (cash only, not used blankets or food), and working with regional partners to move long‑stay animals when space allows. Council directed staff to return with hiring options and requested records showing how many Highland Village animals were transferred to All American Dogs between March 2022 and December 2023 and the outcomes of those transfers.
