San Angelo starts city-run animal adoptions, sets fees to cover surgeries

The San Angelo City Council approved a city-operated animal adoption program and a new schedule of adoption fees during its regular meeting, voting 7-0 to launch in-house adoptions and set fees to help cover surgical and vaccination costs.

The program, which began Oct. 1, allows prospective adopters to meet animals at the shelter, complete an interview with an outcomes coordinator and schedule spay/neuter surgery with the shelter’s contracted veterinarians. "On the day of the surgery, our officers are going to take the animal to the vet clinic and the vet takes care of everything," Animal Services Manager Amanda Weddle said.

Council members emphasized the program replaces years of off-site adoption arrangements and aims to reduce euthanasia of adoptable animals by increasing direct adoption and organized transfers to qualified rescues. Weddle said rescues that pull animals from the shelter will not be charged shelter adoption fees because rescues will assume medical responsibility for transferred animals.

Why it matters: The city has not operated in-house adoptions in several years. Council and staff framed the change as a step to increase placements, reduce euthanasia for capacity reasons and ensure animals are altered before they go home.

Key elements: The council approved a fee schedule intended to recoup surgical costs while encouraging responsible adoptions. The adopted fees are $150 for dogs, $90 for adult cats and $120 for kittens; adopters pay the adoption fee at the shelter and the city then invoices veterinary partners for the scheduled procedures. Weddle said the city negotiated discounted surgery rates and will schedule surgeries at the time of adoption so animals go home altered or are returned to the adopter after the contracted post-op period.

Council discussion and safeguards: Councilmembers asked how owner surrenders and after-hours welfare calls will be handled. Weddle said owner-surrender and impound fees already exist (an impound plus surrender totals $46 under current practice) and that police dispatch will contact on-call officers for after-hours emergencies. Several council members stressed they want to monitor public response to surrender fees, and noted the council can adjust fees later by resolution if needed.

Rescue and transfer controls: The shelter now requires rescue organizations to be pre‑approved (501(c)(3) status, veterinary references, welfare history) and to sign a standardized transfer form the city’s legal department reviewed. Weddle said rescues that demonstrate past welfare violations will be disallowed from transfers.

Early outcomes: Weddle reported early adoption and transfer activity in the first days of the program: three dogs adopted in the first three days (two already spayed/neutered and returned same day), two cat adoptions, an emu adoption, and multiple rescue transfers (Concho Valley Paws and Critter Shack pulled animals for placement).

What’s next: Staff said they will not immediately expand hours but will study a Saturday opening and a volunteer/foster program to support the adoption floor after the holiday period. Council asked staff to return with operational updates after the program has run for several months.

Ending: Council voted 7-0 to approve the adoption program and fee schedule. Tommy Hebert made the motion to approve; Karen Coffey seconded it. The city and the shelter emphasized continued cooperation with community rescue partners and legal review to guard animal welfare and public transparency.