Concho Valley PAWS led a peaceful protest at San Angelo City Council’s meeting last Tuesday, at the McNease Convention Center. They came to advocate for the welfare of San Angelo shelter pets. This is the latest event in the ongoing Animal Crisis in San Angelo.
Press Release Sparks Outrage From Concho Valley PAWS
On February 27th, the City issued a press release regarding the animal shelter. It stated that the shelter was removing all intake barrier at the shelter s for San Angelo residents. The release also stated that the 180-dog and 120-cat capacity limit will remain in place. The reason was to maintain reasonable operational care by limited shelter staff. The release also encouraged citizens to continue to, “advocate, share, foster and adopt shelter pets to help prevent euthanasia.”
In a Facebook post the same day, Concho Valley PAWS stated that the city shelter would be increasing euthanasia. It said this was due to new policies implemented by City Manager Daniel Valenzuela. PAWS also said the shelter would no longer provide public euthanasia lists when nearing capacity.
PAWS claimed that the shelter may even euthanize without notice. “Stray dogs without collars or microchips can be euthanized after 72 hours, and owner-surrendered pets may be euthanized upon arrival.” In an uncharacteristic attack on the City PAWS went on. “This policy reverts San Angelo to practices from 1960-2016 that resulted in over 9,000 animal deaths annually, making it one of Texas’ highest kill municipal shelters at the time. Capture and kill policies were ineffective then and remain so now.”
PAWS Protesters Address City Council
The group of protestors shared their opinions of the City’s euthanasia policy to San Angelo’s city council during public comment.
“The current animal shelter has outlived its efficiency, and it is an embarrassment to San Angelo. The current shelter policy has already resulted in a senseless loss of life. This policy was not well thought out, and is a lazy attempt to placate those concerned about the stray dog crisis,” Mary Wilson said. “It is past time for the city to care.”
“When the word went out that [this policy] was happening, not only was it a shocking experience for all of us, we pulled over 50 dogs out of that shelter immediately,” said Jimmy Black.
One of the main points made by protestors was a for better enforcement of spay and neuter policies. “[PAWS has] provided solutions numerous times, a revision to the breeders ordinance, that has been ignored… The root of the problem is spay/neuter and that has not been enforced like it should have,” Sinny Flores stated.
“If we enforce the law to the highest degree possible, things will get better,” Ashley Swider said.
Animal Services Task Force Not Involved In Recent Decision
On December 3, 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to assemble a task-force to address the animal services problem.
Citizen Donnalle Miller expressed concern with the euthanasia policy change just three months after the decision to form a task-force.
“I am concerned the public was made to believe that a specific committee would be formed and their findings would be discussed before changes were to be made, but that was not the case. It concerns me that PAWS was circumvented in making this decision as well,” Miller said. “I ask that the city renew open communication with PAWS and meet with their task force or consultants.”
[Editor’s Note: The City Manager did not change City policy. Only City Council can change official policy. But what he did do was instruct staff to not restrict intake of animals, which it had previously been doing. In effect, the City Manager instructed city staff to apply the policy as written.]
City Manager Responds
City Manager Daniel Valenzuela prepared a statement in response to the protestors.
Due to the increasing number of stray and abandoned dogs in our city, we are taking necessary steps to address this issue, including opening full intake at the city operated animal shelter. Unfortunately this does mean that at times euthanasia will be a measure of last resort to manage shelter over-population and ensure public safety…
I can assure you the city has no intention of euthanizing immediately after the prescribed time…
Every effort will be made for a placement in a home, especially for adoptable animals.
The city shelter has been operating at near-capacity for an extended period, leading to difficult decisions regarding animal care. While the City is committed to working with animal rescue groups, fostering programs, and adoption initiatives, these resources are also stretched thin…
The key to addressing the issue lies in responsible pet ownership…
I remain hopeful that through community involvement, responsible pet ownership, strongly enforced ordinances, education, volunteers, and adoptions, fostering, and partnerships with animal rescue groups we can significantly reduce the number of animals euthanized…
I encourage all citizens to be a part of the solution by adopting, fostering, donating, and advocating for responsible pet ownership.”
The Animal Services Task Force will make policy recommendations. The City Manager will bring those to the City Council for consideration later. But the Task Force will not do so for several months.
In the meantime, the City is adamant about keeping stray animals off the street for health and safety reasons. PAWS and a large number of San Angelo citizens oppose euthanasia of stray animals. Both parties agree that the obvious solution is spay and neuter policies and more responsible pet ownership.
The City Animal Shelter is located at 3142 US Highway 67 North. It is open 10AM to 6PM Monday through Friday. Concho Valley PAWS is located at 3134 N US Highway 67. It is open 12PM to 6PM Tuesday through Friday and open 11AM to 3PM on Saturdays.
Feel strongly about this issue and want to share your thoughts? Send a letter to the editor at editor@conchoobserver.com
At Tuesday’s meeting City Council also:
City Elections
Approved the Certification of Unopposed Candidates related to the May 3, 2025 election
Declared unopposed candidate Mary Coffey elected for City Council District 6 related to the May 3, 2025 election
Amended Resolution 2025-013 to extend early voting dates and hours for the May 3, 2025 election
River Stage Improvements
Approved a “Not to Exceed” ROM proposal for the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial River Stage modifications from Basic IDIQ in the amount of $1,320,000 for new and remodel construction services and related site work
Annexation
Accepted an annexation petition for 9.712 acres of land, from Abstract A-8211 Survey A Willeke S-002, located west of Pendleton Parkway and south of Willeke Dr., creating an extension of Trippington Way, and 7.12 acres of land from Abstract A-8211 Survey A Willeke S-002, located west of Pendleton Parkway, creating an extension of a minor collector, Pinon Ridge Dr.
Annexed into the City of San Angelo, by petition of the property owner, unaddressed tracts with a total of 1210.726 acres in Tom Green County, located south of US Hwy 67, east of the US Hwy 277 and US Hwy 67 interchange and Harriet Rd.
Annexed approximately 200.11 acres out of Survey 20, W.C. Ry. Co., Abstract 8138; approximately 143.78 acres out of Survey 19, W.C. Ry. Co., Abstract 4018; and approximately 8.39 acres out of Survey 4 ½, J.W. Johnson, Abstract 8647, and approximately 316 acres out of Sarah R. Robertson Survey No. 178, Abstract 847
Airport
Approved TIPS Contract #23010402 with CC3 Construction Consultants for the purpose of repairs and upgrades to the commercial terminal of the airport in the amount of $84,783.91
Cultural Overlay District
Called a joint public hearing of City Council and the Planning Commission regarding amendments to Section 311 “Cultural District Overlay Zone” of the Zoning Ordinance, Section 313 “Use Table” of the Zoning Ordinance, Section 304 “Commercial District Intent Statements”, Article 12.04 “Signs” of the Planning and Development Ordinance and Section 420 “Offsite Signs” of the Zoning ordinance and establishing alternative notice procedures
Allowed the Fire Department to accept a donation of $2,500 from Atmos Energy Corporation
Zone Change
Approved an ordinance for Z24-17, a request for a zone change from the General/Heavy Commercial zoning district to the General Commercial zoning district located at 2401 N. Chadbourne
Boards and Commissions
Approved Chrys Carter to a second term on the Design and Historic Review Commission, Jimmy Barton to a first term, Carlos Rodriguez to a second term, Steven Mahaffey to a second term on the Development Corporation, and Charles Young to a first term on the Zoning Board of Adjustments
