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Interim AAC staff say emergency veterinary contract recommended for budget cut; volunteers warn closure would increase animal suffering
Summary
Interim Austin Animal Center leadership said emergency veterinary services are included in recommended budget cuts; commissioners and volunteers warned closing the service would shift costs and animal suffering outside shelter hours.
Interim Austin Animal Center leadership told the Travis County Austin Animal Advisory Commission on Aug. 11 that emergency veterinary services were among recommended reductions in the department’s recommended FY26 budget. Staff, volunteers and commission members described consequences if the 24-hour emergency veterinary arrangement is cut.
Rolando Fernandez, interim animal services officer, said the department submitted budget cuts like every other city department and that the emergency clinic arrangement was an easy target because it lacks a formal contract and ongoing oversight. Fernandez…
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