Austin Animal Center overcrowding. (Howe: live, costs, dangerous)

[tick-tack]

I've been volunteering at TLAC/AAC for a couple of years, but I have never ever seen the overcrowding as bad as it is now. Dogs are coming in by the boatloads and adoptions are way way down.

Just looking for feedback here.....on a few questions.

1. Do you know that the city municipal shelter moved from Town Lake to Levander Loop in East Austin?

2. Would the fact the shelter is now in East Austin keep you from going there to adopt a pet?

3. Did you know that do to he overcrowding Austin Animal Center has moved 60 dogs back to TLAC?

4. Did you know that dogs are being euthanized for space?

5. Do you know that no-kill means they can still use that label as long as 90% of the animals that come in leave alive (ie 10% are killed)?

I'm just trying to figure out how I can help with the space issues.

If you have any constructive ideas please let me know.

Thanks!

[owlman]

That's sad. I assume the economy has something to do with it. To answer your questions,
1) Yep
2) Not really
3) Sort of... I heard some pets are being offloaded to Austin Pets Alive?
4) I had no idea. How is this any less killing than before? If they run out of space and dogs keep pouring in what happens, do you have to break the 10% limit?
5) no

[calel]

1. It's been well-publicized on the news.
2. Nope.
3. Didn't they design the new shelter with less kennels than the old one? I found that kind of odd.
4. For space? No...
5. I'm well aware that no-kill really only extends out to the adoptable dogs and the terminally sick & aggressive dogs are often put down.

[eichlerfan]

We just adopted the sweetest dog ever from Austin Pets Alive, who rescued him from the euthanize list. There is nothing better than adopting a pet in need. We gave a dog a second chance at a happy healthy life, and in return we get a ton of love and affection. It's a win win situation for all involved.

[capcat]

Maybe putting a face with a number would help, if anyone is in a position to adopt or foster an animal. You can enter specific information about the type of animal, size, color, age, etc. and take a look at the animals ready for adoption or fostering.

Looks like there are some very sweet animals waiting for a home.
View Adoptable Pets | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

I've lost touch with the center since their move, but will make it a point to visit. Thanks for bringing it back to mind, tick-tack. And, thanks for your volunteer hours with these animals.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

We just adopted the sweetest dog ever from Austin Pets Alive, who rescued him from the euthanize list. There is nothing better than adopting a pet in need. We gave a dog a second chance at a happy healthy life, and in return we get a ton of love and affection. It's a win win situation for all involved.

+1 to you. What kind of dog did you get?

[mickey65]

Yep, I've always heard that dogs adopted from the pound are really good and happy dogs - it's as if they "knew" they were "saved" and are forever grateful for it.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

We just adopted the sweetest dog ever from Austin Pets Alive, who rescued him from the euthanize list. There is nothing better than adopting a pet in need. We gave a dog a second chance at a happy healthy life, and in return we get a ton of love and affection. It's a win win situation for all involved.

Generally you are right. All our animals (three dogs, two horses and a lizard) are rescues. However, at the same time adopting a pet makes me feel like I am giving a free pass to some irresponsible fool who had an animal for years and then they decided they don't want it anymore. Or the people who just magically have a litter and then the easy thing is to dump it on the "system" and wash their hands off it. You see the same thing in horses, morons breading them in the backyard and they realizing that a horse costs $500/month to feed.

Anyways, above is why I both like and dislike shelters.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by mickey65

Yep, I've always heard that dogs adopted from the pound are really good and happy dogs - it's as if they "knew" they were "saved" and are forever grateful for it.

That's a myth . The animal is usually a reflection on the owner. Plenty of dogs get returned to a shelter because they "didn't work out". Most of the time it is due to a) shelter not doing a good enough job of screening the owner, b) unreasonable expectations of owners (got a puppy but works 7 am to 8 pm 6 days a week and has no time for puppy) or c) people and animal just don't get along or animal does not get along with other animals in the home. There are other reasons too but the three above are most common in my opinion.

With the above said, with shelters full of animals, they should be adopted....

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by mickey65

Yep, I've always heard that dogs adopted from the pound are really good and happy dogs - it's as if they "knew" they were "saved" and are forever grateful for it.

Originally Posted by ognend

That's a myth .

I suspect that, while the happy pound dog may be partially a myth, it is partially true, as the shelter does not adopt out animals that come in that are dangerous/angry/unmanageable. Since they have done this screening, the pound population is pushed toward the "good dog" end of things.