Position Statement
We are aware of social media posts by a few concerned Austin Animal Center (AAC) volunteers and a media story about the intake of animals to the city shelter which allege APA! and AAC “began a campaign to make closed intake permanent.” This information is inaccurate and these communications unfortunately do not provide enough information or context around our ideas for reimagining animal services to better support our community of pets and people through community-based solutions to animal sheltering and pet ownership. While we cannot speak for the City of Austin or Austin Animal Center, we have worked our entire organizational career to save lives and this initiative will have metrics associated with it to ensure that lifesaving does not decrease. This model aims to provide a much more robust list of options for pets in need and offer more equitable services to their human families. There will not be a decrease in service, simply a change. Please click here for an overview video and blog post from APA! Executive Director Dr. Ellen Jefferson, as well as fact checking on the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project through our national division, American Pets Alive!.
