No-kill shelter vote ‘a cause to rejoice’

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter will be moving toward no-kill status with support from the Hays County Commissioners Court.

Animal advocates have spoken out in recent months to city and county officials about stating support for the goal of a 90 percent live outcome rate at the San Marcos shelter. At its meeting Tuesday morning, the commissioners court approved a resolution supporting the creation of a plan to reach that live outcome rate.

Advocate Sharri Boyett pointed out that the San Marcos shelter serves the entire county and thus handles a lot of animals.

“They’re constantly over capacity,” she said.

She called on residents to volunteer and to adopt and help the animals of Hays County and the shelter as it moves toward no-kill status. Boyett also thanked the commissioners, particularly Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe and Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, for addressing the issue.

“If you’ve ever had the warmth and reassurance of a four-footed friend, this resolution is a cause to rejoice,” she said. 

The resolution states support for cooperation among all stakeholders to “find alternatives and improvements to shelter operations and for the development of a plan to reach no-kill status for the shelter,” the county agenda states. 

The resolution calls for “1. the creation of an Interlocal Animal Services Commission comprised of representatives of all partners of the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter which will govern Animal Services, implement policies, operate in a transparent manner and provide periodic progress reports; and 2. the creation of an operational plan and budget by the Animal Services Commission which includes funding opportunities and the steps necessary for the Shelter to achieve No-Kill status of 90 percent live outcome within two years by achieving milestones in a multi-phased approach.”

The commission will include representatives from all of the city and county entities that receive animal shelter and control services from the shelter. 

Shell thanked Boyett and others for bringing the shelter’s needs to the commissioners’ attention.

“I believe the city of San Marcos has done the best that they can,” he said, calling the resolution an “opportunity to do something in the right way.”

Shell mentioned the expansion of programs that reduce the need for sheltering, such as spay-and-neuter programs. Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said he hoped that such programs will help encourage and educate people about responsible pet ownership. Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones thanked Boyett and Travis County animal advocate Darlene Starr for speaking out and providing information on the issue.

“It’s a great cause,” he said.

“Sharri and others — thank y’all so much,” Ingalsbe said. “It’s really special when we have so many people who truly care about animals. I think we’re here today letting everyone know that we care, that we want to work together with everyone.”

Ingalsbe also urged Hays County residents to volunteer and find other ways to support the shelter and the animals of Hays County.

“I would imagine in a county with a population of over 200,000 people, we have many folks that are willing to step up and take in animals … and really enhance our programs.”

City of San Marcos spokesman Trey Hatt said the San Marcos City Council does not have any similar resolutions on upcoming agendas. 

“However, they will have a work session on Nov. 7 to discuss increasing live outcomes at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter,” Hatt said. “Staff will see what direction is given during that work session and proceed from there.”