The city of San Angelo ended its partnership with the local nonprofit shelter Concho Valley PAWS. Here’s what the nonprofit had to say after the decision and what the city plans to do to ensure pet adoptions don’t take a dip.
The decision was made on Sept. 16 at the regular council meeting.
PAWS helped the city animal shelter with pet adoptions within a five-year contract that began in 2020. Facing the end of the agreement, the council members could accept the new proposal from PAWS and continue contracting rescue services or revert the adoption to the city.
Council members decided to not renew the agreement.
“We feel confident that the transition can be easily managed by our staff,” Daniel Valenzuela, city manager, said at the Sept. 16 meeting. “There may be some bumps in the road along the way, but we will move forward. We’ve done it in the past, and we can do it again.”
One of the solutions Valenzuela mentioned was moving current staff members around to step in and work with pet adoptions.
What did PAWS say?
PAWS made a Facebook post stating the organization was “disappointed” in the decision made by council. The nonprofit is concerned that the animal services department lacks the resources necessary to provide the services PAWS was providing.
“This decision will likely lead to fewer adoptions and options for pets, thus increasing euthanasia for space,” the post stated. “Historically, the city managed its own pet adoption program, during which over 9,000 cats and dogs were euthanized annually and disposed of in the city landfill.”
In 2016, after assessing the effectiveness of their existing program, the city issued a request for proposal to outsource adoptions to an animal welfare agency.
When PAWS stepped up in 2016 after the city was looking to outsource their adoptions, the euthanasia rate fell from 80% to 30%, according to the post.
“Although there are concerns about how these changes will affect our community, PAWS extends best wishes to the new shelter manager, staff, and the animals during this transition,” the post stated. “While there was a financial element to the contracted relationship with the city, the cost of services provided far exceeded the city’s investment so this will in no way prevent us from saving lives.
“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our donors, supporters, adopters, volunteers and board of directors. While this marks a start of a new chapter for our organization, we will continue to work towards a better future for San Angelo’s pets and the people who love them.”
Amanda Weddle, new animal services manager, said with the reintroduction of in-house adoptions, they are creating additional avenues for people to adopt, making the process more accessible and community-centered.
“Our goal is to broaden opportunities for placement rather than limit them, ensuring that every animal has the best possible chance at a forever home,” Weddle said to the Standard-Times.
Weddle said they are also extending the opportunity to multiple rescue organizations, including PAWS, to pull available pets.
“PAWS has worked tirelessly to place animals in loving homes throughout the San Angelo area, and their dedication has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” Weddle said. “Our intention is not to hinder adoptions but to increase them through a collaborative, inclusive approach that benefits both the animals and the community we serve.”
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Here’s how City of San Angelo plans to keep up pet adoptions after ending PAWS partnership
Reporting by Rosanna Fraire, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
