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Kennedale council approves joining regional Municipal Animal Services
Summary
Kennedale unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to join a regional Municipal Animal Services partnership with Everman and Forest Hill, accepting a proposed pro‑rata share of a $495,000 budget and a staffing model intended to expand 24/7 emergency coverage and boost adoptions.
Kennedale — The Kennedale City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement on Nov. 18 to join Municipal Animal Services, a regional partnership currently hosted by the city of Everman and including Forest Hill and Edgecliffe Village.
The council voted to authorize the city manager to enter the agreement after a presentation describing a consolidated shelter and animal control model intended to stabilize staffing, reduce duplicative costs, and increase adoptions. A representative of Municipal Animal Services said the partnership serves roughly 22,000 people across participating cities and over the past 12 months responded to more than 1,100 calls and processed more than 600 dogs and 175 cats.
The presenter introduced Ray Richler, the animal services manager, and said the proposed annual operating budget for the partnership is $495,000. Everman, as the host agency, is assigned a $100,000 base and the remaining $395,000 would be divided among participating cities on a pro‑rata basis by population. “Our goal is to get every healthy, adoptable animal out of our shelter,” the presenter said, describing outreach work and an adoption rate above 95 percent.
Council members pressed on staffing and continuity for Kennedale’s current officer. The presenter said no net staff loss is expected, but that officers will be scheduled across jurisdictions: “You would absolutely still see him within the community and he would be one of the officers that responds out here as a part of the team.” The group also described a 24/7 emergency response system that routes calls to on‑call staff via the police dispatch center if necessary.
The presentation described additional services the partnership would provide: monthly activity and outcome reports (including intake, adoption, and euthanasia data), public education, free microchipping for Kennedale residents, and participation at community events. The oversight structure would include a Kennedale city council member and a Kennedale citizen on the animal shelter advisory board along with a veterinarian and other representatives.
Councilmember Jeff Navarz made the motion to approve the interlocal agreement; the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will finalize the interlocal agreement and return documentation to the city manager for execution.
