Volunteers and rescue partners tell Travis County animal advisory commission Austin Animal Center’s live-outcome rate has fallen; callers urge hiring senior, in

Public commenters, volunteers and Austin Animal Center staff said the shelter’s monthly live-outcome percentage has slipped since April 2025 and urged the Animal Advisory Commission to press city leaders to prioritize experienced leadership.

Heather Myers, a public commenter, told the commission that “since April 2025 when the interim chief took over, AAC has failed month after month to meet the city's 95% live outcome goal. In June, it fell below 90%,” and called for the city to hire “a chief animal officer with proven shelter management experience.”

Julie Oliver, an advocate who cited the No Kill Advocacy Center and the American Humane Society as sources for a 90% benchmark, said the shelter’s year-to-date live-outcome rate was about 93.5% and that June fell below the 90% national standard. She told commissioners…