El Paso Animal Services reports 1,930 January intakes, pilots post‑adoption app and highlights outreach

El Paso Animal Services reported 1,930 animals taken into custody in January and a live‑release rate of 89%, officials told the El Paso Animal Services Advisory Committee on Feb. 12.

The figures were part of the department’s monthly operations report delivered by Terry Kepschel, who presented intake and outcome data and field‑service metrics. Kepschel said January’s 1,930 intakes included 1,534 strays and 115 owner surrenders. He told the committee the shelter completed 665 adoptions in January and had about 2,456 animals in foster care — roughly half of those “foster to adopt” cases awaiting final surgeries.

The committee heard details on causes and outcomes. Kepschel said owner‑requested euthanasia appears to have increased; one slide listed 21 such requests while outcome slides later referenced 47 owner‑requested outcomes (the transcript shows both figures). He said the principal reasons for owner‑requested euthanasia were aggressive behavior toward people or other animals and, in some older animals, medical conditions the owner could not afford. Kepschel also said the department recorded 167 shelter euthanasias in January, with behavior and owner request among the leading reasons. “Owner‑requested euthanasia is usually because of aggression or public‑safety concerns,” Kepschel said.

Nut graf: The report shows continued heavy demand on EPAS services as the department balances high intake with robust adoption, foster and trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) activity. Committee members pressed staff for clarification on intake and intake‑policy practices after members and residents reported conflicting messages about whether the shelter was accepting animals.

Committee discussion and follow up Committee members asked for clarity about “open intake” practices after members of the public reported being told the shelter was full and to wait to surrender animals. Committee member Eileen said community volunteers and rescue partners receive messages saying the shelter will not accept intakes for a period (for example, 30 days). Kepschel said he and staff would follow up on specific cases; the chair indicated staff would provide further clarification between meetings and the item was retained as a follow‑up for the March meeting.

Petzl post‑adoption pilot and early results Michelle (listed in the meeting as the department’s marketing and public engagement manager) told the committee that EPAS launched a pilot of Petzl, a web‑based post‑adoption support application, in November 2024. She said EPAS has received 854 completed post‑adoption surveys — a completion rate of about 10.5% — and that 94% of respondents reported that the adoption was going “well” or “extremely well” at one month. The surveys are sent 24 hours, 30 days, 90 days and one year after adoption and provide tailored tips, access to adoption paperwork and answers to frequently asked questions.

Outreach, marketing and partnerships Michelle outlined EPAS’s broad outreach program, including off‑site adoption events, humane education, mobile microchipping, weekly TV segments and partnerships with local media. Staff said they conducted more than 450 outreach events in the prior year, noting multiple social accounts for different functions (for example, an account for cats at the Zoo adoption center). The department also reported continuing TNR activity (333 community cats handled in January) and field work that included 168 microchips placed by resource rovers and more than 2,800 service calls answered.

Budget and advertising The committee discussed advertising and billboards. Michelle said EPAS budgets for advertising through the City of El Paso and is selective about paid billboards because of cost. A committee member offered an outside estimate that local billboard rates can run $2,500–$3,500 per month with typical minimum buys of two months (about $5,000–$7,000 per billboard), and Michelle said Friends of El Paso Animal Services funds are currently prioritized for medical resources, spay/neuter and life‑saving programs rather than advertising.

Other items The committee was told construction at the West Side adoption center is on track and that October–December 2024 were record months for adoptions. Kepschel and staff highlighted individual community‑assistance cases — including veterinary care provided to unhoused pet owners and a cruelty case macaw that had been rehomed — to illustrate broader community work.

Votes and formal actions The advisory committee approved the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote after a motion from Sandy and a second from Stephanie. The committee adjourned by motion of Mary, seconded by Eileen; the adjournment carried by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: The committee scheduled its next virtual meeting for March 12, 2025. Committee members asked staff to return in March with clarifications on intake policies and any outstanding numeric discrepancies discussed during the Feb. 12 presentation.