SAN MARCOS, Texas — Austin and Williamson County have them, and now San Marcos is hoping to turn its animal shelter into a 'no-kill' facility.
While there's no official definition for "no kill," the accepted standard is a "live outcome rate" above 90%. For San Marcos, that would take a 17-percentage point improvement over last year.
A task that could take years.
But, it's a chance to save a life. In San Marcos, that could be any of the 73 adoptable animals' lives.
"We're working fast and furious trying to make improvements to our structures and different outlets for these animals and trying to build that up to have better outcomes," DerryAnn Krupinsky, the Assistant Director of Neighborhood Enhancement, said.
It's part of her job to keep the shelter running, and now increasing its "no kill" status. The plan they're working on now is the "Pawsetive Outcomes Implementation Plan," which aims to get the shelter's live outcome rate to 90% or better – an improvement from 2018 when they saved 73%.
Right now, their goal is to get there in five years.
"We don't think it will take five years. We'll try to get there as quick as we can," Krupinsky said.
It's a task that not only takes time but also money – possibly millions of dollars according to Krupinsky.
As for those who help with the animals, like Gail Sharp, the biggest concern is keeping animals who will never be able to get adopted.
"Yes, with strong programs and animals getting to leave shelters and go to homes, who can argue with that?" Sharp said.
It's hard work, but they said it's worth it to save lives.
"Fewer animals in, more animals out," Krupinsky said. "That's the simplified equation."
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