Conroe officials report higher live-release rate, new manager and facility upgrades at city animal shelter

Conroe city officials on July 9 gave an update on operations at the Conroe Animal Shelter, saying the city has increased full‑time staffing, raised adoption numbers and reduced euthanasia compared with the previous operator.

The update, delivered by Chief Buchholz and shelter operations manager Russell Laswell, came during the council’s administrative update. Chief Buchholz said Conroe assumed shelter operations Sept. 21, 2024, and transitioned to nearly all full‑time staff after an initial period of part‑time employees and hiring without a manager. “We have a SOP that’s quite old, and we’re working on it,” Buchholz said. He said a draft based on industry standards was in final review and would be shared soon.

Why it matters: shelter capacity, sterilization and volunteer support are central to the city’s live‑release rate and to reducing returns to the shelter.

Buchholz released comparative metrics showing a 91.4% live‑release rate at the Conroe shelter for the stated reporting period, compared with a lower rate under the previous operator. He said euthanasia numbers had dropped “very much” and highlighted volunteer support: in June volunteers contributed 163 hours.

New operations manager Russell Laswell described plans to expand off‑site adoption events, formalize a foster program and finalize volunteer agreements. Laswell said some community veterinary services were provided under existing memoranda of understanding; he named Dr. Michael White and Dr. Jennifer Money as veterinary partners for sterilizations and well care.

“We need more ability to do sterilizations,” Laswell said, describing a bottleneck that causes animals to require follow‑up appointments instead of being surgery‑ready for same‑day adoption.

Council members pressed for clearer public communications. Councilwoman Porter asked the shelter to publish hours, phone numbers and donation instructions on both the shelter and city websites; Buchholz said the shelter already posts donation items and a donate button and agreed to add information to the city site. Laswell provided the shelter contact and the city’s main transfer number: (936) 522‑3000.

City staff announced facility improvements and a selection of an architect to begin a phased renovation: public reception spaces, restrooms, cat areas and an outdoor kennel upgrade. Buchholz said the renovation would address deficient chain‑link fencing and “Home Depot‑grade” enclosures.

Buchholz and Laswell identified remaining gaps: insufficient on‑site sterilization capacity, limited off‑site adoption logistics and some rescue partners at or near capacity. Buchholz said the city had issued an RFQ to secure veterinary services and was working through agreements to expand sterilization throughput.

The shelter team fielded questions about hours and breed‑specific placement. Laswell said the shelter is open six days a week (closed Mondays) with extended hours 8 a.m.–7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on other open days. He said the shelter has contacted breed‑specific rescue groups but many rescues are full.

The presentation included a summary of the manager search and hiring: Laswell’s resume includes decades of field experience and prior roles managing open‑admission shelters in California. Buchholz said Laswell underwent a full background check before appointment.

Looking ahead: staff said they will post more data and regular updates on the website and social media, pursue additional sterilization capacity, expand volunteer recruitment, and begin public‑facing facility renovations in a phased schedule. No binding council action was taken during the briefing.