City makes progress with animal shelter

Progress has been made in the city’s efforts to achieve no-kill status at the San Marcos Animal Shelter. The city council heard a presentation on the Pawsitive Outcomes implementation plan, which focuses on regional partnerships and community efforts to achieve 90 percent live outcomes at the shelter.

“The simplified equation of all this is less animals in, more animals out,” said DerryAnn Krupinsky, assistant director of Neighborhood Enhancement.

Krupinsky outlined the major components of the plan, including ambitious spay/neuter efforts, progressive adoption initiatives, reducing animal intake, controlling and preventing illness at the shelter, a robust volunteer program, community involvement and safety net programs.

Among the initiatives the city plans to undertake are encouraging microchipping and helping pet owners take steps to avoid having to surrender their pets, such as providing assistance with training, fencing, vet care and other issues.

Krupinsky said the city would like to consider a shelter/neuter/return program for free-roaming stray cats, but such a program would need support countywide for successful implementation.

“It’s really going to take the whole community,” she said.

City council member Melissa Derrick asked how the shelter would manage to help with training and fencing. Krupinsky said partnerships, such as the Habitat for Humanity model, would be a part of that. Neighborhood Services head Jeff Caldwell said donations would be a part of it, too.

Council member Ed Mihalkanin asked if helping out with microchipping costs is an option. Caldwell said they already do low-cost chipping. Mihalkanin then asked Caldwell to advertise that fact widely.

“The more people who know that, the more people you get knocking at your door,” he said.

Council member Mark Rockeymoore asked if there were any concerns about conflicting with private businesses when the shelter offers services to help animals find and keep homes. Caldwell said the city tries not to step on the toes of local veterinarians, many of whom offer services in support of the shelter.

“What they’ve asked is that we not become a competitor with them,” Caldwell said, noting that the city tries to refer people to organizations like Emancipet and others that provide spay/neuter services and other veterinary care.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, animal advocates Kate Shaw and Sharri Boyett spoke during public comments and praised the city’s efforts, though Boyett said she would like to see a shorter timeline for no-kill status. The city is working to achieve 90 percent live outcomes at the shelter within five years.

“Five years, as I’ve stated before, is just too long,” she said.