Saving animals from the grassroots up

Despite being one of the most progressive cities in America politically, Austin's animal control policies and programs were anything but. In 2004, almost 13,000 animals died at its Town Lake Animal Center, more than half the animals that came in its doors. And in the years that followed, Austin's kill rate continued to increase, despite the fact that its intake stayed around the same and  Austin is a prosperous and animal-loving town.



In 2007, Austin killed more than 14,000 homeless pets. In 2008, Austin Pets Alive started pulling pets off of death row and finding homes for them, reaching a total of 2,741 by late 2009. Along with FixAustin.org, a group dedicated to reforming the entire shelter and animal control system in the city, this networker of rescuers, animal lovers and advocates conducted a guerilla campaign aimed at local media and the city council, working to get the city on track.



And it worked. Last month, the Austin City Council laid down the law to its animal control agency, and told it to get with the no kill goal by implementing large-scale foster programs, off-site adoptions, TNR for feral cats, and all the other programs that have reduced or ended the killing of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in other communities.



Helping lead that successful effort was Ryan Clinton of FixAustin.org. I saw Ryan speak at the No Kill Conference in Washington DC last May, and was blown away by his honesty and willingness to share what worked, what failed (sometimes quite spectacularly), and how other communities could -- and are -- doing the exact same thing.



PetHobbyist.com is launching a series of special guest chats on the topic of "Ending Pet Homelessness," and I couldn't think of a better person to get that series started than Ryan. He'll be online for an hour-long Q&A session on "Saving Your Community's Animals from the Grassroots Up" this evening, Monday, November 30 at 10 PM Eastern/7 PM Pacific Time in the Auditorium Chat Room (or, if you're not a registered user of PetHobbyist.com, you can log in here as a guest -- just select "Auditorum -- Special Events" from the menu).



He'll be discussing how to work with the media and politicians (and how not to), and how "the little guy" can effect big change for the animals, even against enormous obstacles.



Hope to see you there!

Comments

[mary frances]

Thank you for the information - this is good news from Austin - also at least from the photo - Ryan Clinton looks a little like the actor Bradley Cooper. (just had to say...)

[Nathan Winograd]

Good choice. Ryan is a smart, solid advocate for animals who is helping to reform Austin's antiquated and regressive sheltering practices. I look forward to tuning in.

[Rori]

The two heart dogs of my life came from Town Lake Animal Shelter, years ago. To think how easily I might have lived my life without them is heartbreaking. To me, "No Kill" is really "Saving Souls." Of more than just one species.

[Original Lori]

When I lived in Austin, I didn't know about any of this. It really surprised me to find out the kill numbers because Austin was such a hip, progressive, and aware city in so many ways.



I'm always rooting for Austin and they do love their animals, so I know they can fix all this. Go Ryan!