Number of animals saved at El Paso shelter hits record high
The City of El Paso is working to turn its animal shelter into a no-kill facility.
The goal is to increase the live release rate to 90 percent by 2020. Officials believe they may hit that number sooner than expected.
The live release rate indicates how many animals leave the shelter alive. In December, El Paso Animal Services reported an 80 percent live release rate. That is a record high number for the city.
In 2016, the shelter reported a live release rate of 42 percent.
Paula Powell is the interim director for the shelter. “We’ve changed the intake process to allow the intake to occur in a different place, let’s say away from where you would adopt an animal. We also enhanced our adoption program. We now have more off-site adoptions,” Powell said.
The Animal Task Force has been working with the shelter’s staff to improve safety, capacity, cleanliness and to organize medical supplies.
The task force identified each of the items after reviewing the facility and speaking with the staff.
The shelter recently saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicle and equipment purchases. City Manager Tommy Gonzalez is recommending the staff use that money to continue to improve the shelter.
“Some of the things that you have heard in the last couple of council meetings: They did not have to buy 10 more vehicles so that saved $240,000. The chipping was less. That’s, like, half a million dollars. So, I am encouraging them to use that money and reapply that to other areas of the shelter that are needed,” Gonzalez said
City Rep. Michiel Noe thanked the council and city staff for funding the changes at the shelter and providing direction for improvements. He also acknowledged the work done by members of the Animal Task Force.
“We’ve taken some great strides. What we have done from a couple of years ago until now is amazing,” said Noe. “The city has won awards on that. But now I want to take it to the next step and I feel very comfortable knowing that is going to happen with you guys in charge.”
The shelter is looking for more volunteers to foster animals. Blankets, food and toys for the animals are also needed.
