Animal Care & Control

Position Paper: Increasing Live Outcomes at the Fort Worth Animal Shelter

Posted Oct. 11, 2011
Updated April 7, 2013

For the past several years the City of Fort Worth has been focused on increasing its animal shelter live release rate. While economic conditions have not been conducive to large-scale program enhancements, the City has demonstrated its commitment to this effort by successfully implementing several new initiatives that have had positive results. Highlighting these new initiatives include: a new spay/neuter clinic, enhanced preventive medicine protocols at the shelter, and two new satellite adoption centers in partnership with PetSmart and PetSmart Charities. On the near horizon are additional projects that are in-process, including pursuit of funding for a medical isolation ward at the shelter, an animal foster home program and a policy discussion in consideration of a trap/neuter/return (TNR) program for feral cats.

The City enjoys strong partnerships with a diverse group of animal welfare agencies, including over 200 local animal rescue groups. Efforts have been made to enhance these partnerships and provide incentives for rescue groups to make our shelter a desired partner. Part of these efforts include providing spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip services at no cost for every animal taken from our shelter by a rescue group.

Much has been accomplished, but there is much more to do. Our efforts to date have resulted in a significant increase in our shelter live release rate from 35 percent in 2009 to a high of 66 percent in December 2011 and 60 percent in January 2012. Healthy, adoptable animals are now finding new homes; however, we continue to strive to work with the next tier of shelter animal that has illness, injury or temperament issues that are potentially manageable or treatable with additional time and resources.

Download the position paper for a detailed overview of the City’s plan to increase live outcomes with accomplishments to date specific to each objective.

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Animal Care & Control Administration
4900 Martin St. | 817-392-1234

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