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Multiple public speakers press council on alleged problems at Animal Services; call for audits, staffing and transparency
Summary
Numerous speakers at council’s public comment urged action on El Paso Animal Services, citing staff exit interviews, alleged management problems, shortages, and calls for more funding and oversight.
During the public‑comment period, a string of speakers urged the City Council to address systemic problems at El Paso Animal Services, describing staff turnover, poor management, alleged favoritism by supervisors and understaffing that advocates said have endangered animals and employees.
Speakers — including rescue volunteers, former employees and shelter advocates — described exit interviews they say document personnel problems: claims of supervisors lacking training, favoritism, employees feeling bullied and a hostile workplace, and inadequate shelter capacity. Several commenters asked the council to release two years of exit interviews and to review hiring practices. One former employee told council that the shelter’s atmosphere had become “toxic” and urged a meeting with human resources to review exit interview results.
Advocates called for expanded spay/neuter funding, more support for trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) programs for community cats and increased funding for the animal cruelty unit, whose voicemail advocates said is often full. Rescues asked the city to use existing facilities more effectively — citing unused school property that was designated as a shelter location — and to enforce existing licensing for backyard breeders and sellers who undermine shelter and adoption efforts.
Speakers also demanded accountability for alleged misuse of time and city property, claimed that some staff had been mistreated or that romantic relationships within the organization affected staffing decisions, and urged the council to investigate whether outside consultants were the right solution.
Council members acknowledged the testimony, and some urged staff to brief council on exit interviews, internal investigations and what steps the city is taking to address capacity and employee morale.
No formal council action was taken Wednesday; the public‑comment testimony added urgency to ongoing city reviews and to recently scheduled staff briefings and potential follow‑up.
