City to Look at No Kill Policy Thursday

Austin, TX - A number of other cities in the US are already "no-kill"...is it Austin's turn? This Thursday Austin City Council members plan to look at ways to make the city a "no-kill" community.

Last year, the city euthanized over 6,000 pets that had been abandoned at the shelter.

The goal of a "no-kill" Austin has been a dream form many for over a decade. Over the years, animal activists have been successful in reducing the euthanasia rate from 85 percent to the current rate of 30 percent.

Some recommendations that have been put forth to council include:

• Aiming for a live outcome goal of 90 percent
• Creating an animal shelter in East Austin
• Provide funding for an additional vet tech and veterinarian
• Hiring an animal behaviorist

Over the past few years, various animal rights groups from around the city have banded together to show their support for Austin's forgotten pets.

Austin No Kill Coalition and other animal supporters want this plan implemented because they want to save all the healthy, treatable animals that are being euthanized by the city.

Many of these groups have banded together in an effort to encourage citizens to e-mail the mayor and members of city council regarding the issue.

Last week, the Austin Animal Advisory Commission recommended the city become no-kill and called for an immediate moratorium on the killing of any animal unless it's for humane reasons.

The commission also recommended that Austin Pets Alive aid in adoption services and called for the preservation of the Davenport Building and kennels where animals are currently being kept.