HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9230 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9230
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 20, 2010
`�'IiTt�fO
Page 1 of 1
a
SUBJECT: ANIMAL SHELTER CLOSING TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAYS
tats
Since the Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Control Center opened in 1998, it has been operating
seven days per week providing its full spectrum of services to the public. These services include
lost pet reclaims, animal adoptions, sale of City pet licenses and permits, found animal drop-offs,
animal trap check-out / in and responsible pet ownership education classes.
The FY2010 budget process resulted in the elimination of three animal attendant positions. To
offset this reduction, the shelter was scheduled to be closed two days each week starting on
November 1, 2009. However, with negotiations in process to open a second animal adoption
center within a PetSmart retail store, and with concerns about the impact of reducing operating
hours at the shelter on animal adoption rates, it was determined that the closure of the shelter
should be postponed until after the new adoption center was operational.
The grand opening for the new pet adoption center at the Hulen and 1-20 PetSmart is scheduled
for May 1, 2010, and it will be open to the public seven days per week. Given this, staff will now
proceed with the closing of the Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Control Center two days a week.
The closure will be phased in starting Sunday, May 2th, 2010. The shelter will be closed every
Sunday from that date forward. A second closure day will be added mid-summer 2010. Staff will
communicate this change on the City's web site, through the E-News distribution, media and
other sources.
The closures were delayed through the use of volunteers and temporary labor. Between now and
mid-summer, staff will continue to use temporary labor and will continue to recruit volunteers to
help at the shelter and the new adoption center. If a sufficient number of new volunteers can be
recruited between now and then, staff might be able to forgo the closure on the second day.
Volunteers have been and continue to play a vital role in Code Compliance. Code Rangers and
Animal Care and Control Volunteers have taken on an even larger role in these tough economic
times. The Department has volunteer positions available at the new adoption center, the existing
shelter, special events, community outreach and education and a variety of other assignments.
Citizens interested in volunteering, should contact Mike Matura at 817-392-7092 for more
information.
The new pet adoption center is funded 100% by charitable donations. Securing additional
donations is vital to the ongoing operation of the center. Citizens interested in donating to the pet
adoption center c get more information by calling 817-392-6567.
Dal�A. Fisselor�P/E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS