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Discuss the Animal Adoption Center's capacity and future needs.
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BACKGROUND:
At the request of Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Richard Jackson, staff is sharing an update on the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center’s current and future capacity.
DISCUSSION:
The Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center opened to the public in 2009. The Animal Adoption Center, commonly called “a shelter,” was designed to house up to 25 dogs and 31 cats. Through the past 15 years, various upgrades and renovations have been completed to maximize the existing space and expand the care and capacity of the shelter. One such renovation added a surgery suite within the facility, providing the opportunity to have on-site veterinary care for animals in the shelter, including spay and neuter services. Other renovations and kennel updates have increased capacity to a maximum of 70 total animals, dependent on animal type and family/litter size.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that annual shelter intake equals roughly 3% of the total population served. The attached presentation provides the average daily animal counts from 2015-2023, showcasing similar increases. Staff reviewed previous intake and population data for Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center specifically and found local intake to equal just over 3% at 3.236%. Future intake is projected using 2030 and 2045 Farmers Branch population projections multiplied by that same 3.236%.
Space alone, however, is not the only contributing factor to shelter capacity and future needs. Volunteer and foster programming, community partnerships, medical/behavioral needs, and other factors affect animals’ average length of stay and positive outcomes. Programming and partnerships such as these lower the likelihood of reaching and exceeding capacity, as well as reduce the amount of time an animal stays in a shelter.
As staff explore expansion and reconfiguration of the existing facility, future intake and best practices are considered. Utilizing these, staff will explore how to best maximize the usage of the existing facility to care for animals now and in the future.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation