The San Angelo City Council on Tuesday approved the creation of a city-operated animal adoption program and adopted a resolution adding animal adoption-related fees to the city’s Schedule of Fees and Charges. The move comes after the council recently approved transitioning Animal Services from a contracted operation to direct management under the city.
Animal Services Manager Amanda Weddle, who assumed the role on Sept. 15, presented the item to the council, noting the in-house adoption program officially began Oct. 1.
“We started our in-house adoption Oct. 1, and the purpose of this was to reduce the unaltered animals within the city limits, provide increased avenues for subjects to adopt animals, as well as increase avenues for rescue transfers and reduce euthanasia of adoptable animals,” Weddle said.
How The Adoption Program Works
Under the new process, potential adopters sign in and meet with an outcome coordinator before meeting the desired animal. Once the contract is filled out and a veterinary appointment is scheduled for sterilization and rabies vaccination, Animal Services transports the animal to the veterinarian, and the adopter picks it up after surgery.
Newly Adjusted Adoption Fees
The new resolution also establishes adoption fees of $150 for dogs, $90 for cats, and $120 for kittens.
“This was based on a fee calculator that we did on what we are spending, as well as we did compare other area adoption centers. We are a little higher on cats, however on the dogs, we’re right in the average,” Weddle said.
She explained that fees encourage adopters to make thoughtful, long-term commitments.
“We find that if you do not charge an adoption fee, emotional responses are more often than not the factor of whether or not you adopt, and they may not think it through fully, so we want to ensure that we have an adoption fee that people are being conscious about their decisions before they sign the contract and take on the life of an animal,” said Weddle.
Council members discussed monitoring the fees and adoption data to determine whether fee adjustments should be made in the future.
“We want this [program] to be successful, and it’s going to be a work in progress as we move forward,” said Mayor Tom Thompson.
In the program’s first three days, Weddle reported three dogs adopted—two already recovered from surgery and one scheduled for surgery—along with two cat adoptions set for surgery this week. Additionally, one emu was adopted, four dogs were transferred to Concho Valley PAWS, and eight cats were transferred to Critter Shack.
“I feel like to start it off, where we haven’t had anything in-house for five years, this is a good start,” she said.
Not Ready to Adopt? You Can Still Make a Difference
Weddle also highlighted the “Walk to Rehome Program,” a new initiative suggested by residents that allows volunteers to walk adoptable dogs for exercise and socialization. Participants sign in, receive a leash and treats, choose a dog, and report any behavioral or health observations after the walk.
What’s Next for Animal Services
Weddle said future program enhancements include adding the leptospirosis vaccine, now recognized as a core vaccine, as well as heartworm tests for dogs and FeLV/FIV blood tests for cats to help identify and properly place contagious animals (FeLV/FIV are viral infections that weaken a cat’s immune system).
Future goals for Animal Services include expanding hours of operation—potentially adding Saturdays after the start of the new year—and developing volunteer and foster programs, both still under review.
The motion to approve the city-operated adoption program and fee schedule passed unanimously, 7-0.
San Angelo Animal Services is located at 3142 U.S. Highway 67 North, San Angelo, TX, and is open Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
