BREAKING: City of San Angelo Relents on Draconian Animal Shelter Limits

SAN ANGELO – The City of San Angelo and Concho Valley PAWS and other volunteer animal rescue organizations have reached an agreement that increases the number of dogs and cats that can be housed in the City Animal Shelter. 

According to information for COSA, the City enacted a capacity limit on Sept. 13 for the number of animals that can be housed at the Animal Shelter. The goal was set that the shelter must reduce the animal population by Nov. 30 to 125 dogs and 50 cats.

After meeting with adoption partner Concho Valley PAWS and several local rescue organizations, the City has reevaluated its September capacity limit. The previous Nov. 30 deadline of 125 dogs and 50 cats has been rescinded and updated to:

• No more than 180 dogs and 120 cats.
• Maximum length of stay will be determined by routine assessments of individual needs, as well as pet temperament and demeanor. The Nov. 30 deadline will not apply.

The capacity limit is necessary to maintain a more manageable and healthier environment at the shelter, in addition to allowing for extra space in the event of an emergency. Animal Services staff, Concho Valley PAWS, local rescues and the citizens of San Angelo have helped decrease the number of shelter animals by more than 100 dogs and 60 cats. No animals have been euthanized for space; however, some have been euthanized due to injury and temperament. Moreover, standards of care at the shelter have improved greatly due to a substantial increase in staff training, maintenance and outreach.

As of Oct. 26, the shelter has 185 dogs and 57 cats. Temporary foster homes or animal adoptions are needed to help these animals avoid euthanasia.

Those interested in fostering or adopting should contact Concho Valley PAWS at [email protected]. Available shelter animals can be viewed at petango.com/sanangeloanimalservices. To volunteer at the shelter, visit cvpaws.org/volunteer.

Animal Shelter staff will provide an update to the City Council at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live to the City's YouTube channel and SATV, Optimum channel 17. Public comment can be made in person at the meeting.