Crossposting is encouraged.
September 22, 2011
San Antonio's statistics below mean nothing as it's been a shell game for
the past 6 years. Refusing to pick up animals on the streets or accepting
them at the Facility means that the animals are roaming the streets
breeding, terrorizing neighborhoods, biting, fighting with each other and
spreading disease instead of becoming an ACS statistic. The "No Kill
Initiative by 2012" is dead in San Antonio and proves the legislative
approach does not work. RPOA hates it when we're right but we told them so!
...............................................................
http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/article/City-demotes-director-of-ACS-2180435.phpCity demotes director of ACS
By Vincent T. Davis
vtdavis@express-news.netUpdated 11:39 a.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The city has demoted its director of Animal Care Services two years after he
was brought in to modernize the shelter and reduce the number of pets
euthanized each year.
Gary Hendel, head of ACS since May 2009, will now oversee shelter, clinic
and live-release functions for the department.
Joe Angelo, the assistant city budget director of innovation and reform, has
been named interim director. Vincent Medley, assistant director of ACS, will
still manage bite investigations, cruelty investigations and enforcement.
"I can't control what folks will say (about Hendel's demotion)," said
Assistant City Manager Erik Walsh, who oversees the department. "He's being
asked to focus on key areas and deliveries we laid out in the plan."
Walsh informed Mayor Julián Castro and the City Council of the changes
Monday.
Walsh said the move will allow Hendel to work on a high-volume
rescue-partner concept included in the fiscal 2012 budget to increase the
number of animals adopted or rescued.
Walsh said the changes were aligned with three priorities for Animal Care
Services: enforcement, controlling the stray population and live release, to
include rescue, adoption and return of pets to owners.
"Gary has maintained a good relationship here in town and we have to build
on that," Walsh said. "Certainly there are things we need to do as a
department, but we are committed as are the mayor and City Council. We know
we can do a better job, this alignment will help deliver that."
Hendel promoted the Guardian Angel program, a foster-care program to stop
the killing of healthy adoptable animals, to help the city achieve its
no-kill goal.
In fiscal 2010, ACS picked up 24,495 strays, and 18,462 were euthanized.
Since October last year, ACS has picked up 27,525 strays and euthanized
18,435.
In September 2010, large stray and quarantined dogs were transported to the
South Side Auxiliary Shelter at Brooks City Base to reduce an estimated
100,000 stray dogs on San Antonio streets.
Several animal groups complained about the remoteness and accessibility of
the facility.
Gavin Nichols, program officer of the San Antonio Area Foundation, said the
organization is committed to help make San Antonio a no-kill community.
"We need ACS to be successful, and we're going to continue to work with them
to achieve that goal," he said.
Deanna Lee, president of Alamo Area Partners for Animal Welfare, said she's
talked with the interim director about concerns and possible solutions about
rescuing animals from ACS kennels.
"We're very optimistic that he'll be able to effect some changes fairly
quickly," Lee said. "We're open to any positive change for the benefit and
welfare for animals that come into ACS."
Phone calls for a response from Hendel were referred to the assistant city
manager's office.
Read more:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/article/City-demotes-director-of-ACS-2180435.php#ixzz1YcgSR0dnSubscribe to this announcement only email list to stay informed regarding
all Texas animal issues by emailing:
TX_RPOA_E-News-subscribe@yahoogroups.comDonate with PayPal or mail in:
www.rpoatexasoutreach.orgOur statewide membership includes concerned "John Q" Pet Owners with all
species of pets; dog, cat, bird clubs from all national registries; cat and
dog fanciers/exhibitors; all species rescuers; veterinarians; veterinary
technicians; sportsmen; working/hunting dog breed clubs and individual
owners; search & rescue dog owners; therapy dog owners; guide dog owners;
show dog handlers; pet sitters; dog trainers; pet groomers; boarding kennels
and other animal interests.
