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Home My WebLink AboutIR 24-1790 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1790 January 9, 2024 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 1 of 5 * *a rrn SUBJECT: CLOSING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE AND COMMUNICATION GAPS The purpose of this Informal Report is in response to the City Council's request for an update on Code Compliance's strategies for improving the animal shelter's live release rate. Live Release Rate The live release rate (LRR) is a key metric used in animal shelters to measure the percentage of animals that leave the facility alive, either through adoption, return to owners, or transfer to other organizations. From 2017 to 2022, the City's Code Compliance Department maintained a LRR greater than 90%. In 2020, the live release rate was its highest at 97%. 120.0% Shelters become"no-kill" status when reaching a 90% 100.0% + live release rate. 80.0% , 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 ■Arlington -Austi n —Dallas ■El Paso -Fort Worth ■Houston ■San Antonio *Comprehensive LRR data for smaller municipalities in the metroplex is unavailable for the reporting period above. Nationally, for several years, the market has been flooded with more homeless animals, and at the same time, shelters are not seeing much growth in adoptions. These factors have reduced the overall LRR and has posed complexities that were not relevant during the higher live release rate years. Before and during the Pandemic, there was an increase in animal adoptions that had a positive impact on the LRR. This was fueled by factors such as remote work, low inflation, and more affordable housing. However, during this time, agencies realized that maintaining these high adoption rates may not be sustainable in the long term, given that pet adoption is a commitment of 10-15 years (people do not generally adopt a new pet every year or two). ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1790 January 9, 2024 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 5 * *a rrn SUBJECT: CLOSING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE AND COMMUNICATION GAPS Increase in the Number of Owner Surrenders Since the Pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of owner surrenders due to several factors: • People returning to work and children going back to school has led to less time with pets and has created situations where pet owners feel that they can no longer care for the pet. This includes pets that are kept in crates for too long, are moved to yards for extended periods, and other situations. • Higher cost of living —This includes rent, food for people, food for pets, durables and other expenses. • Transitioning from houses to apartments —Owners find themselves in spaces too small for pets. When moving from one apartment to another, sometimes there are additional costs like pet deposits and increased rent they can no longer afford. Sometimes the new rental does not allow pets. Currently, the shelter is seeing about a 7% increase in animal intake with owner surrenders making up 31% of the increase. Owner Surrender 7,000 6,000 SIG/ lr�crease _ --------- ► : t: 5,000 ____----`` 4,008 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Increase in the Number of Stray Animals There has been a rise in the intake of strays; however, the term 'stray' can sometimes be misleading. These animals often have homes and owners but, for various reasons, are now roaming the neighborhood. Locally, fewer of these animals are being reclaimed by their owners. In fact, when owners are contacted about their lost pets, an increasing number are opting not to take them back. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1790 January 9, 2024 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 5 * *a rrn SUBJECT: CLOSING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE AND COMMUNICATION GAPS Stray Animals 131000 12,833 12,500 GC ease 121000 11,500 111000 10,827 10,500 101000 9,500 There has also been an uptick in 'stray' animals being brought to the shelter by individuals who, in many cases, are actually the owners. They see surrendering the animal to the shelter as the best option, partly due to our high live release rates in the past. In a sense, the shelter's success has inadvertently contributed to the intake. Area Rescue Groups and Not-for-Profits On the intake side, area non-profits and rescue partners are experiencing this same impact. As a result, they are also full/at capacity. Many of the animals that they would have taken in the past are now sent to the City shelters. Often, these referrals are animals that are harder to find homes for such as larger and older animals, animals with behavior issues, etc. Even so, without these partners, City shelters would be facing an even greater challenge. Filling the Gaps Even though adoptions are up slightly, increasing the LRR will require a significant change in the number of animals coming into the shelter. Reducing intake and increasing adoptions in this market will require more staff and creative strategies. The Department recognized this earlier in the year and requested additional resources. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, City Council approved the following positions to focus on this very challenge: • Two (2) new Veterinarian Technicians to supplement the Foster Program. This will increase the number of animals able to be placed in foster homes and provide necessary follow-up care. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1790 January 9, 2024 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 4 of 5 * *a rFrn SUBJECT: CLOSING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE AND COMMUNICATION GAPS • A second Volunteer Coordinator so each shelter has a dedicated coordinator to develop and maintain a more robust program. • A Media Specialist to focus on social media and other resources for educating the public about shelter programs, how to get involved, how to adopt and other communications. • The Department also reassigned an existing position to be an Events Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating events and developing additional partnerships within the community. The dedicated Animal Shelter staff are committed to providing the best care and environment for the animals. These staff have developed a number of progressive strategies to consider moving forward: 1. Partner with Spay Neuter Network to implement a managed intake pilot program for six (6) months that will be appointment based for non-emergency owner surrenders only. This approach involves appointment-based intake of animals in non-emergency situations into the animal services facility. It is only used for pets being surrendered by their owners that are friendly and healthy. Cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens, along with other companion animals may be scheduled for intake following an initial assessment (by phone or web/e-mail) to determine if shelter intake is the only viable option or the best option for that pet and family. 2. Recommend implementing a rotational closure schedule for adoption and intake services at both the Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Shelter and the North Animal Campus—closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, respectively. The decision to close each shelter to the public one day a week brings numerous advantages, including staff training and development and deep cleaning of the facility, resulting in reduced risk of disease transmission and a cleaner environment. While each campus will experience a weekly closure day, residents can access services at alternate locations. For example, when the Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Shelter is closed, services will be available at the North Animal Campus, encompassing stray surrender, owner surrender, adoptions, and lost pet reclamation. 3. Continue to engage with the media to support pet adoptiATTon and pet retention. Craft compelling narratives that highlight the joys and benefits of pet ownership. Share stories that focus on successful adoptions, the positive impact of pets on mental and physical health, and features on resources like affordable veterinary care, pet food banks, and behavioral training that can inspire the community. Partner with local news, social media influencers, and community leaders who can reach a wide audience and foster a pet-friendly community. 4. Grow partnerships with non-profits that focus on pet retention, such as Spay Neuter Network and Operation Kindness that can provide behavioral and medical assistance for pet owners in need. 5. Implement a new mandatory spay/neuter campaign. Fort Worth has a progressive spay and neuter law. It is mandatory except for intact permits designed to accommodate AKC show dogs and similar situations. Staff have been and continue to aggressively enforce this ordinance. However, with the new media positions we can update our messaging and implement a new campaign. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1790 January 9, 2024 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 5 of 5 * *a rFrn SUBJECT: CLOSING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE AND COMMUNICATION GAPS Finally, we urge pet owners facing challenges to explore the numerous community resources at their disposal, including complimentary pet food, affordable spay and neuter services, and low-cost or free vaccines. If the difficult decision is made to part ways with the animal, we recommend considering rehoming within their circle of family, friends, or co-workers. This approach not only alleviates the shelter's intake, freeing up valuable space, but also contributes to healthier outcomes for the animals involved. Attachment "A" is the list of resources that we currently provide pet owners and it is updated as more resources become available. For questions regarding this information, please contact Chris McAllister, Code Compliance Assistant Director, at christopher.mcallister@fortworthtexas.gov or (817) 392-2766. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS PET SURRENDER RESOURCE GUIDE Resource Name Contact Information Type 4917 Briar haven Road Pet food Arbor lawn UMC Food Fort Worth, TX 76109 Pantry (512) 914-5784 www.arborlawnumc.org 5817 Waddell Street Pet food Bibles and Bread Sansom Park, TX 76114 Ministries (817) 773-8233 www.biblesandbread.org 1516 Hemphill Street Pet food Community Crossroads Fort Worth, TX 76104 (817) 921-3955 www.fpcfw.org 3000 Galvez Pet food Community Food Bank Fort Worth, TX 76111 (817) 924-3333 www.food-bank.org 300 Belmont Street Pet food Community Link Saginaw, TX 76179 (817) 847-4554 www.communitylinkmission.org 5929 E. Lancaster Pet food Eastside Community Fort Worth, TX 76112 Assistance (817) 446-3278 www.eastsidecommunityassistancg.org 3625 E Loop 820 S. Pet food Fort Worth HOPE Center Fort Worth, TX 76119 (817) 451-6288 www.fwhope.org 3117 E. Seminary Drive Pet food Spay Neuter Network Fort Worth, TX 76119 (682) 247-2740 www.spayneuterne".or Pet Food Meals on Wheels 1-888-998-6325 https://www.mealsonwheelsame[La,Qfg/ Available on Tuesdays & Thursdays Pet Food City of Fort Worth from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 4900 Martin St Fort Worth,Tx 76119 Resource Name Contact Information Type Low-cost 3117 E. Seminary Drive medical Spay Neuter Network Fort Worth, TX 76119 care (682) 247-2740 www.spayneuternet.org Low-cost 2400 Lonestar Dr medical SPCA of Texas Dallas, TX 75212 ca re (214)-742-7722 www.spca.org Low-cost Texas Coalition for (940) 566-5551 medical Animal Protection care (TCAP) https://texasforthem.org/ Low-cost (817) 282-1000 medical Low Cost Pet Vax https://www.lowcostpetvaccinations.net/ care Low-cost (972)385-1001 medical Vaccination Station https://www.vaccinationstation.com/ Ca re Pet Support SPCA of Texas https://spca.org/resources/pet-needs/support-to- keep-your-pet/ Rehoming Home to Home Home-home.org Rehoming Adopt a Pet https://rehome.adoptapet.com/rehome-my- dog/texas/fort-worth Join Facebook communities by searching for "Pet Rehoming Facebook Rehoming in Fort Worth" https://facebook.com/ Lost and Petco Love Lost https://lost.petcoIove.org/ Found Lost and Mission Reunite https://missionreunite.org/ Found Lost and PawBoost https://www.pawboost.com/ Found Lost and Nextdoor Post picture and location of pet. Found https://nextdoor.com/ Join Facebook communities by searching for "Lost Lost and Facebook and Found Pets in Fort Worth" Found https.//facebook.com/ Lost Pets: Check with your pet's registered microchip company and let them know that your Lost and pet is missing. Make sure your contact Found Microchipping information is up to date Found Pets: Check with local shelters or vet clinics to scan for possible microchip. If microchip is Resource Name Contact Information _ Type found, the microc4 company can be cont to advise of found pet, notifying the owner t pet has been found Free week of Dog Training _ Behavior https://Iinks.PoodpuD.com/shelter/FWACCTrainin Support Good Pup g Free online webinars https.//goodpup.com/webinar-series