SAN ANGELO, Texas — City of San Angelo Animal Services said it has saved more than 90% of its animals during the past fiscal year, making San Angelo an official no-kill community.
A COSA press release said this was achieved thanks to the City’s partnership with local rescue organization Concho Valley PAWS, as well as support from Animal Services staff and the community. The American Pets Alive! educational outreach association also served as a mentor with its data-driven strategies to help animal services achieve its no-kill goal.
“Regardless of species or special needs, countless changes were implemented to better serve animals in our community,” Morgan Chegwidden, Neighborhood & Family Services assistant director, said. “Families and pets alike are thriving in San Angelo. Becoming no-kill is just a symptom of that.”
Animal services set the goal to become no-kill in 2015, when its live release rate was only 33 percent. A complete overhaul of programs and shift of mentality had to happen.
That’s where the American Pets Alive! strategies came in. After the first full year of Pets Alive! programming in fiscal year 2019, animal services saved 60% of its animals.
New intake procedures, a community cat program and new protocols to prevent spread of disease inside the shelter and a focus on returning pets to their owners have been some of the most successful areas of improvement. Moving forward, animal services will have to continue to work to maintain its no-kill status.
“It’s important to remember that no-kill is not a destination but a day-to-day commitment to save lives,” Jenie Wilson, Concho Valley PAWS executive director, said. “Our work isn’t done; it’s just getting started. Everyone can do something to help us sustain and remain a no-kill community. You can volunteer, foster, donate, adopt and most importantly, get your personal pets spayed or neutered.”
Citizens interested in helping can contact Concho Valley PAWS at info@cvpaws.org, 325-656-7387 or visit cvpaws.org.
Other ways to help:
- Register your pet at Lost.PetCoLove.org.
- Call your microchip company to verify your contact information is current. If you microchipped through the City, contact 24PetWatch at (866)-597-2424.
- If your pet is not chipped, you can bring them in and get one for $13 during regular business hours at Animal Services (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. M-F, 3142 US Highway 67 North).
- Lost/found pets: Post a picture/description on the local lost and found website helpmegethome.com.
- Lost/found pets: View our live inventory at petango.com, search zip code 76905.
- Lost/found pets: Follow the City of San Angelo, Texas – City Government page on Facebook and watch for the Claim Your Canine posts.
