Pecos animal-control officials hail spay-neuter clinic, report 12 months of no euthanasia for adoptable pets

Chief Lisa Tarrango and the city’s animal-control supervisor reported to the Pecos City Council that a recent spay-and-neuter clinic treated 107 animals and that the shelter has operated 12 consecutive months without euthanizing an adoptable pet. Christy, the animal-control supervisor, said the clinic exceeded its budgeted capacity but met community need. "We asked for the funds for 60 animals, and we ended up seeing 107 total pets," Christy said.

The chief and Christy said the city paid roughly $50 per animal to secure a $240 value of veterinary services (spay/neuter, vaccines, deworming, flea/tick treatment) during the clinic and that the vet team from Austin has agreed to return in the fall. Christy said 70 animals received vaccinations or spay/neuter procedures that day, 58 were microchipped, and 18 were on a waiting list (five already seen; 13 to be scheduled). She said the majority of animals served were inside city limits, with some from nearby towns including Balmorhea, Saragosa and Paiute.

Christy and Chief Tarrango outlined ongoing operational needs: travel crates for transport, leashes and towels for reunification and animal handling, vaccines and cleaning chemicals for the shelter, and fundraising or donations to offset costs. Christy said many crates travel with animals through a chain of transport vans and planes, and are therefore not returned; that increases the shelter’s ongoing crate purchases. "The crate stays with that animal most of the time," she said.

Christy provided year-to-date statistics to illustrate shelter operations and outcomes. Between January and June the shelter picked up 328 animals within city limits; 20 animals died or were euthanized, 11 of those were owner-requested euthanasia for medical/quality-of-life reasons, and nine were euthanized at the facility for other reasons (for example, severe medical condition or dog-bite history that staff judged unsuited for rehoming). Christy emphasized that in the 12-month period the shelter had not euthanized any animal judged to be adoptable.

Tarrango and Christy described partnerships and transport networks used to rehome animals. They named Austin Pets Alive as a distribution hub for flights heading north and said partner rescues include regionally based organizations in Texas, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming. The chief said the shelter’s adoption, transport and microchipping efforts have reduced local shelter intake and improved reclaim rates.

Council members and staff asked about recurring costs and the shelter’s budget line for food and supplies. Christy and Tarrango said donations and partnerships (for example with Tractor Supply and local pantries) reduce the need to draw on the city budget; when the budget is used it covers items including disinfectant and other shelter chemicals. Tarrango said the shelter now operates as a no-kill facility and noted the staff and volunteers who support transport logistics.

Council members did not take a formal funding vote in the meeting on a follow-up clinic or new budget line; staff said they will return with formal budget requests as needed.