Six months of 90% no-kill at TLAC

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Wednesday officials from the Town Lake Animal Center released statistics which said it has surpassed the no-kill benchmark of 90 percent for six months, staying on track toward earning its no-kill status.

The live outcome rate was achieved during one of the busiest times for animals to be dropped off at the shelter and makes TLAC the largest municipal animal shelter in the country earning a no-kill status.

“This is truly an accomplishment and it shows that the hard work of the staff, partners and volunteers is paying off,” said Abigail Smith, chief animal services officer. “Despite the busy season and an influx of kittens and cats, we were able to overcome some serious challenges and continue to lead the nation’s largest cities in live outcomes. It’s a testament to Austin’s commitment to the no-kill goal, and an example of what success looks like when the whole community comes together. We are very grateful that Austin cares about its animals. This is no-kill in action.”

The Animal Center continues to work on the Austin City Council-approved 34-point No-Kill Implementation Plan, which focuses on programs, services and partnerships to reduce animal intake and increase live animal outcomes.

TLAC's rescue partners are a significant contributing factor in reaching the no-kill status, according to Smith. Austin Pets Alive! and the Austin Humane Society, the top two rescue partners, save hundreds of animals from the shelter each month. In June, APA! saved 350 pets and the humane society rescued 90.

Since the beginning of the year, staff has worked on adoption promotions and special events at TLAC to increase the number of adoptions at the shelter. For the first time, the shelter remained opened on a holiday and offered $4 adoption fees for the Fourth of July. The response was significant with 49 pets leaving the shelter alive.

Also, the foster care network continues to grow with more than 900 pets being sheltered by volunteers in the month of June. Generally, the program has approximately 100 foster families actively caring for animals in need. The volunteer program takes vulnerable and at risk pets out of the shelter environment allowing kennel space for other animals that end up at the shelter.

Click here to view the year-to-date operational reports for live animal outcomes.

About Town Lake Animal Center

Town Lake Animal Center is the largest animal shelter in Central Texas, providing shelter to more than 23,000 animals each year and animal control services to all of Austin and Travis County. It is an open-intake facility where stray and owned animals from Travis County in need of shelter are accepted regardless of age, health, species or breed. It is the goal of the Austin Animal Center to place all adoptable animals in homes.

The city of Austin will open a new Austin Animal Center in November on the Betty Dunkerley Campus west of U.S. Highway 183 at 7201 Levander Loop, about five miles from the current site.

TLAC, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more information, visit the website or call 3-1-1.