A perplexing rise in animals leaving the shelter unspayed and unneutered is causing a stir within the Animal Advisory Commission. During their meeting on Jan. 8, members grappled with December's numbers, revealing a jump in pets adopted or returned to their owners still intact. The Austin Animal Center saw 36 intact animals adopted and 29 returned to their owners in December 2023, a stark increase from just one adoption and 33 returns in the same period of 2022, according to the Austin Monitor.
Jason Garza, of the Animal Services Department, detailed to the commission how the shelter handled 681 animal intakes, with 98.7% recorded as live outcomes for the month. The center also saw a robust fostering ecosystem, with 83 new foster applications processed, adding up to a total of 1,467 approved foster homes in their system. Adoption figures stood at 594 for December, including 114 direct adoptions from foster care, suggesting active community engagement.
Lotta Smagula a commissioner, expressed her unease with the situation. "But that just seems like a huge number to adopt out intact. For us to be sending these animals out intact, it doesn’t sit well with me," she said, as per the Austin Monitor.
Commissioner Whitney Holt asked the shelter for data from the voucher program to gauge the rate at which owners are returning to complete the sterilization process. "Because if we’re able to show 100 percent within 30 days go out and get their animals fixed, then I think that just kind of changes the perception and might make people feel better," Holt stated in the Austin Monitor.
