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Animal Care Services reports CityGate‑driven reforms, capital upgrades and an 80% live‑release rate for the first quarter

City Council · January 28, 2026

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Summary

Animal Care Services told council it completed more than half of CityGate’s 170 recommendations, has implemented staffing and intake reforms, is proceeding on kennel and MEP upgrades, and reported a first‑quarter live‑release rate of about 80% with 316 adoptions and 214 transfers.

Animal Care Services (ACS) presented a progress report on implementing CityGate Associates’ operational assessment and on related capital improvements.

Director Kathleen Chapa and Assistant Director Cynthia Martinez said ACS completed more than 56% of CityGate’s 170 recommendations in FY25 and aims to complete 50 additional tasks in FY26 to reach an overall goal of 85% completion. Completed operational changes cited by staff include a new field procedures manual, changing shelter public hours to open adoption windows at noon to increase access, adding an assistant director of operations, adding a second dispatcher, and creating dedicated volunteer, rescue/foster and adoption counselor roles to strengthen operations and community partnerships.

Capital projects reported: roof replacements and wash‑bay upgrades (completed), a planned Kennel Building 3 envelope and HVAC upgrade (design complete; construction expected June 2026 with 300 days duration), admin building MEP improvements (scheduled mid‑2026 to early 2027 due to manufacturing lead times), incinerator replacement (design ~90% complete), and security gate repair (complete).

ACS gave first‑quarter metrics: 762 dog intakes, 811 outcomes with 316 adoptions, 214 transfers to rescue, and 112 returns to owners. The department reported a quarterly average live‑release rate of about 80% and described its move toward managed intake, improved data entry via the Chameleon system, and targeted volunteer roles to increase capacity.

Council questions covered staffing, retention, data detail requests (for example, closure outcomes for calls, disposition of citations, breakdown of transfers by location), and requests to re‑circulate the presentation packet. City staff committed to provide further detail on turnover and on citation adjudication status.

What’s next: ACS will continue CityGate implementation, complete capital procurements as manufacturing lead times permit, and return with monthly operational data to the advisory board and council.