Published on March 13, 2024
Lifesaving, increased resource placement options highlight Animal Care Services Strategic Plan
SAN ANTONIO (March 13, 2024) – Pets deserve a lifetime of humane care. Additional resources and lifesaving placements are key features of the San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) Strategic Plan, which includes five focus areas that support a holistic approach to community animal care and control. A top priority to “support the placement of pets for life” with goals promoting higher channels of positive placement for dogs and cats ready for adoption. The goals also aim to create greater community understanding about the importance of humane pet care:
- Provide services and resources to keep animals in their homes
- Provide the highest standard of care for shelter pets
- Provide life-saving placement options for shelter animals
From FY23 to present, the shelter’s focus on keeping pets with their families has resulted in more than 4,400 interventions with at-risk pet owners by Animal Care Services Community Animal Support and Assistance Team (CASA). During the same period, 9,406 dogs and cats were also returned to their owners. While many of the pets were lost and taken to the shelter, others were allowed to wander by negligent owners who also received citations and education for their irresponsibility.
Spotlight adoptions, rescue partnerships, and other live release options increased the placement rate to 85 percent for FY24. More than 30,000 companion animals have been accepted into new homes. Additionally, SAACS participated in four off-site adoption events and a pair of rescue transports that saw two hundred and thirty-one pets transported to their new families outside of San Antonio. More than 170 dogs and cats found homes at a large-scale adoption event in Houston in which SAACS participated.
As staff increase playgroups and other enrichment options for shelter pets, SAACS will also conduct a community survey about humane pet care this spring. Through this outreach to local residents, SAACS hopes to establish a community standard of pet care. This resource will not only outline the socially acceptable level of pet care that San Antonio pet parents should provide, but will also serve as a guide for potential ordinance changes. The survey period included a series of public workshops to discuss community standards.
The inclusive City-sanctioned plan can be found in its entirety at SAACS.info/StrategicPlan.
