City May Hire Animal Behaviorist

myFOXaustin.com (AUSTIN,TX)- The City of Austin could have it's own dog whisperer as part of a plan to transition the Town Lake Animal Center to "no-kill" status.

"Mommy wants to see that one down here," said Carrie Sullivan as she and her two children looked for a new addition to their family. "This is the one isn't she cute."

She's set her heart on 6-month-old Goldie, a stray that's well tempered and patient with all the sometimes "rough love" from 5-year old Alexandra and Kent.

"She's very sweet with the kids," said Sullivan.

So far, Goldie has been an ideal example of a dog who's fared well during the stress of entering into a very foreign world, caged-in with others barking and crying all around.

"Stress is a very big behavior changer and so it is.. it's sort of like being judged on your worst day of your life," said Dr. Ellen Jefferson.

She said for some pets, the behavior is perceived as aggressive, harmful, and un-adoptable. Almost all of those "bad behaved" pets are euthanized. The decisions made by what she calls unqualified staff.

"We don't employ a behaviorist now, but yet we put down more than 3000 pets but to behavioral problem," said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez.

Martinez added a pet behaviorist is in the city's plan that aims at transitioning Town Lake Animal Center to no kill status.

"You're not going to achieve 90 percent live outcomes unless you understand and know the behavior of those animals coming and whether or not they're adoptable. We think in many cases they are."

The behaviorist will be paid about $74,000 a year. The behaviorist will work with dogs to get them to the point where they can find a happy home. But Martinez said he or she will not only save lives, but money: lowering the kill rate will cuts costs.

"They can help a dog that may not seem like a good dog to adopt out, become a good dog to adopt out. I think that's great," said Sullivan.

So for the Sullivan family, Goldie has all the potential in the world, and their month-long search may have just come to an end. But for Goldie, it's chance at life once again.

The Austin Animal Advisory Commission will approve a final proposal. Then, city council will have a chance to vote on March 11th.