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Animal Services manager reports January and February shelter statistics, cites capacity strain and increased citations
Summary
Animal Services Manager Amanda Wedel told the board the shelter saw 205 arrivals in January (73.75% live-release rate) and 195 in February (68.54% live-release rate), citing capacity and medical/behavioral reasons for euthanasia, a rise in citations, and plans for a foster coordinator and legal review.
Amanda Wedel, Animal Services Manager, presented January and February 2026 shelter statistics to the San Angelo Animal Services meeting, reporting a modest decline in the shelter's live-release rate and increased strain on capacity.
"In January we had 205 arrivals, 52 adoptions, 72 transfers, 53 redeemed by owner, 11 wildlife released, 62 deceased," Wedel said, adding the shelter finished January with 228 animals in custody and a 73.75% live-release rate. In February she reported 195 arrivals, 42 adoptions, 54 transfers, five wildlife releases, 67 deceased and 193 in custody, for a 68.54% live-release rate.
Wedel outlined reasons behind euthanasia and deaths: in January 23 animals were euthanized for aggressive tendencies and 22 for sick or injured conditions; in February the euthanasia breakdown included 18 for aggression, 15 for medical reasons and 32 attributed to capacity. Field services calls numbered 755 in January (including 362 stray responses and 32 bite reports) and 714 in February.
The manager noted a change in how some outcomes are counted: staff separated SNR (spay/neuter/release) cats from "redeemed by owner" to better reflect the number of community cats processed and said SNR cats are fixed and vaccinated before release to their familiar area. She also explained that "adopted" refers to animals adopted directly from the shelter while "transferred" refers to animals sent to rescues.
On enforcement, Wedel said citations are issued both in the field and when people reclaim animals; an RVNC (a written notice/warning) may precede a citation. January saw 39 citations; comparing February 2025 to February 2026, staff reported an increase from six to 24 citations with top categories including spay/neuter failures and failure to vaccinate.
Wedel described several program and operations items: the Good Samaritan intake option remains available though some people decline it; the dog-walking volunteer program is "going very well," with groups (including service members) providing regular walking time; and a foster program is under consideration but staff aim to wait until the fiscal-year reset and budget for a part-time coordinator (targeting the new fiscal year in October). Legal counsel is reviewing foster-program procedures for medical care and ordinance compliance.
The presentation concluded with board members asking clarifying questions about data timelines, citation procedures and program details. No formal policy changes or funding decisions were taken during the presentation; staff described next steps as planning and legal review.
