AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council has voted to strike a new deal with no-kill shelter Austin Pets Alive! (APA!).
On Thursday, Nov. 4, the council considered Agenda Item 38, which addressed the geographic constraints and minimum intake requirements of the City’s agreement with APA! and directed the city manager to negotiate terms for operations at the facility.
Council members approved a resolution that formally allows APA! to take in animals from five counties in the Austin area. The resolution also allows APA! to continue using its Town Lake Animal Center and to renovate that space.
The facility has been plagued by flooding issues due to plumbing problems.
“Supporters of Austin Pets Alive! have been asking for years for an agreement with the City of Austin that will allow APA! to rebuild the dilapidated structures at the Town Lake Animal Center so dogs and cats can have a safe place to stay while waiting for their forever homes,” the nonprofit said in a release on Monday. “The proposed Nov. 4 resolution allows more dogs and cats, who are currently at-risk of being needlessly euthanized, to receive medical treatment and behavioral care at Austin Pets Alive’s current location.”
"No matter where you sit on the spectrum of animal advocacy, we all want the same thing. We want happy and healthy outcomes for Austin's animals," Councilmember Leslie Pool said at Thursday's meeting.
The approved resolution also removes a requirement that said APA! has to take in a certain number of animals from the City each year. Council members said APA! was never meant to serve as an overflow shelter.
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