May 24, 2024

In March 2024, Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) presented recommendations to the Hays County Commissioners Court on how to develop and launch the Pet Resource Center for Hays County, recommended in a 2022 feasibility study compiled by Team Shelter USA and Animal Arts.

The 2022 study proposed a pet resource center model as the solution to Hays County’s expanding animal services-related needs, and as a remedy to the overburdened regional sheltering model currently in practice. The new model concept is a smaller-scale shelter supported by robust community programming and increased access to resources, primarily aimed at keeping people and pets together.

Austin Pets Alive! approached the work systematically through three lenses: facility planning, program development, and operational planning. With the guidance of a contract committee, a series of deliverables were completed. These included:

• Social Media Outreach Strategy

• Community Engagement

• Comprehensive Program Plan

• Location Review

• Plan to develop a Non-profit Fundraising Organization to support the center.

• Operating Budgets, Staffing Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures.

Other significant work also included a completion of the Community Need and Values Survey, launching Hays County P.A.S.S. virtual resource center, creating a brand identity proposal, earning the designation of a Human Animal Support Services (HASS) pilot community, and partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank for a larger-scale pet food distribution in Hays County.

Hays County P.A.S.S. – Virtual Resource Center

Launched in January 2024, the Hays County virtual pet resource center tripled use in the first two months! The program includes a local pet resources guide as a central source of information for the Hays County community and dedicated online case management support.

Program leadership continues to collaborate with the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) team to serve as the surrender prevention program. Through this partnership, Hays County P.A.S.S. has reduced response time to those considering surrender from 2 weeks to 24 hours. The majority of cases are rehoming assistance and navigating veterinary services costs.

As Hays County leaders consider what steps to take next, APA! continues to provide dedicated support to owners facing pet-related challenges, through Hays County P.A.S.S. and partnering with other community organizations.

Source: Austin Pets Alive