AUSTIN, Texas — A cry for help is not only coming from the animals at the Austin Animal Center but also from Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland.
"We made pleas for adopters, pleas for fosters, we did everything we can, pleas for rescues. We were offering rescues $500 for every large kennel they opened," Bland said.
Still, the shelter wound up with more dogs than it had room for, which is why it is looking at other options.
"We found boarding facilities that would take them – have about 24 animals in boarding right now, currently offsite," Bland said.
Bland said it costs less to board some of the animals compared to keeping them at the shelter. He gave some examples of how the center is overcapacity.
The center has more than 300 large dogs on-site but only 252 large kennels. There are more than 90 small dogs but only 37 small kennels, and there are nearly 300 cats but only 165 cat cages.
"So, even the rescues that were helping us, you know, won't help us anymore," Bland said.
Last year, an audit of the office that oversees the Austin Animal Center revealed significant issues, including dogs being kept in too-small cages, dirty conditions and strained relationships with stakeholders.
Since then, Bland said staff have made some changes, including not keeping dogs in cages and launching a finder to foster program that lets stray animals be placed in foster care immediately if their finder chooses to do so, allowing for more space in the shelter.
But there is still work to be done.
"The city has identified a third party to come in and work with us and our stakeholders for a strategic plan, and that ball has started rolling. And so, by the end of the summer, they're hoping to have a plan put together," Bland said.
Daniel Lee and his wife are longtime fosters and are doing their part to help the city because they say it is the pets that hurt the most. Lee wants to encourage others to also consider fostering.
"The pet needs food and water and love and attention. And, you know, as a foster you can do that, to provide a space to get dogs out of a stressful environment," Lee said.
Bland hopes more people consider adopting from the shelter to provide help.
"The city's grown and the number of animals that we have in our city that need help and care has grown also," Bland said.
To look at the animals available for adoption, click here.