Space running out at new animal center

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Even with a new animal center and a "no-kill" city, Lorii Michel knows there needs to be more life savers.

“We very much want to get the word out that dogs are being killed for space," she said.

Michel, an animal advocate who volunteers for Austin Pets Alive, worries that the term “no-kill” may be causing a misconception and complacency.

“There are animals in the city that are going to be killed," she said.

In 2011, the city achieved “no-kill” status because more than 90 percent of the animals that entered the animal center came out alive.

Ironically, that can be a double-edged sword.

“If the community gets complacent and we let our guard down, that status is going to go away,” said David Lundstedt, the chairman of the Austin Animal Advisory Commission.

Lundstedt said the misconception comes from people who feel more comfortable leaving a cat or dog at the animal center with the idea it will not be put down.

However, even at the new facility, space is filling up quickly leaving few options other than euthanasia.

At the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night, the agenda calls for a discussion about the possibility of euthanizing animals for space.

“What people need to realize is ‘no-kill’ status only refers to the past. It does not apply to today, tomorrow, or next month,” said Lundstedt.

And in some cases, the new building offers less space than the old one.

While there are more spots for cats and small dogs, there are 56 fewer kennels for dogs weighing more than 20 pounds. Big dogs are also the most likely to end up stuck in a shelter.

“It was a little bit of a surprise when we found out there was less space,” said Lundstedt.

The old Town Lake Animal Center is being used by Austin Pets Alive to help house adoptions and house overflow from the new animal center.

But with developers targeting the property for future building, those days could be limited.

So keeping space open and animals alive relies heavily on those ready to give dogs a permanent home, according to Michel.

“Adoptions are a critical piece of ending the killing," Lundstedt said.