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Director says external consult affirmed many practices but recommends training revamp for Metro Animal Care
Summary
Director Harrington told the Council Pet Grouping working group she requested a no-cost external consult that affirmed many of MAC’s current practices but recommended training changes, procedural tweaks and program expansion; leadership is weighing cost, turnover and limits to implementing some recommendations.
Director Ashley Harrington told the Council Pet Grouping working group that she asked an outside consultant to review Metro Animal Care (MAC) operations and that the agency received a grant to cover the review at no cost to MAC or the city. “We received a grant through them. So it was no cost to, MAC or their budget or to the city,” Harrington said, describing the consult as largely affirming existing practices while identifying areas to strengthen.
The consult recommended several operational changes, Harrington said, including a rethink of ACO (animal control officer) training. Currently new ACOs pair with senior officers and complete on-the-job training, plus two National Animal Control Association (NACA) certification courses within their first two years. Harrington said MAC is debating whether to move some of those required trainings to the beginning of employment to improve readiness but worries about the cost and wasted investment if turnover remains high.
Councilmember Russ Bradford suggested tying pay incentives to certifications as a retention tool. “There may be something for us to look at when we’re looking at financials, because that might give folks an incentive,” Bradford said, referencing raises that can accompany national certifications in other workplaces.
Harrington also told the group that some consult recommendations — including a suggested initial policy to turn away community cats until they clear vetting — caused concern among MAC leadership and partners, who said the system of vetting, spay/neuter and partner filtering would be difficult with current capacity. “They wanted us to, you know, turn away all community cats, and I don't necessarily think that's the answer,” Harrington said.
On staffing, Harrington said MAC’s scheduling is typically two to three officers on day and evening shifts and one overnight officer; the agency still faces capacity constraints for animal care even when authorized positions are filled. She said MAC will provide more-detailed budget estimates and staffing requests ahead of the next budget cycle so councilmembers can evaluate staffing and program expansion.
The consult, NACA trainings, and the staffing and compensation questions emerged as items the working group said it would pursue in coming months; Harrington and councilmembers agreed to post follow-up answers and documents on Council Connect for transparency. The meeting closed with a commitment to continue planning and to forward any specific budget figures when available.
