The Austin City Council Thursday considered the first step toward making Town Lake Animal Center a no-kill shelter.
“A community can be judged by how it treats its animals and in Austin we wouldn't be judged very well right now,” said Ryan Clinton of fixaustin.org. “We've killed about 10,000 animals at animal shelters in the last few years. We need to be better than that.”
The resolution could mean saving about 90 percent of the city's shelter animals.
Council member Laura Morrison and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez are already showing support for the resolution, but it's unclear whether it will pass among the entire council.
Similar no-kill resolutions have gone before council since 1998. The idea has never passed.
The plan up for vote during Thursday’s meeting is one developed by the Animal Advisory Commission. It gives more time to turn Austin into a ‘no kill city.’
The plan includes an adoption program, with off-site adoptions seven days a week, and a large-scale foster program with low-cost spay/neuter services.
According to the plan, Austin's Town Lake Animal Center would have 18 months to put it in action.
“A lot of people will say it's impossible. A lot of people will say it just can't be done so don't hold us to that standard. The problem with that argument is that communities across the country have done it and they've done it with less money and fewer resources and fewer people being involved. If other communities can do it, then Austin, Texas should do it,” said Clinton.
Current policy says shelter animals can be euthanized as soon as 72 hours after arriving at the shelter. Under the new resolution, the only animals that could be euthanized are ones that are severely injured or aggressive.
Supporters say the plan would save money because they argue the expense of euthanizing is greater than adopting the animals out.
Austin already has one of the highest annual shelter budgets in the nation. Reports show more than $5.5 million goes toward the shelter. A vote is expected by Thursday evening.
