city of San Antonio


Some of our meetings have moved. View additional meetings.

File #: 20-4946   
Type: Miscellaneous Item
In control: City Council A Session
On agenda: 9/10/2020
Posting Language: Ordinance approving a High Volume Pet Partner contract with San Antonio Pets Alive!, in an amount not to exceed $330,750.00 for the rescue of up to 4,410 animals from the City's Animal Care Services facility, for a one-year term with the option to renew. [David McCary, Assistant City Manager; Heber Lefgren, Director, Animal Care Services]
Attachments: 1. Draft Ordinance, 2. Agreement, 3. Ordinance 2020-09-10-0632
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
No records to display.

DEPARTMENT:  Animal Care Services

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD:  Heber Lefgren

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: City Wide

 

SUBJECT: High Volume Pet Rescue Partnership with San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) 

 

SUMMARY

An Ordinance authorizing a contract with SAPA!, a High Volume Pet Partner to rescue 4,410 animals from ACS in the amount of up to $330,750.00 for a period of one year beginning on October 1, 2020 with the option to renew for three, one-year terms. 
 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In September of 2011, ACS revised its Strategic Plan by focusing on three key departmental strategies: (1) Enhanced Enforcement of existing laws and codes; (2) Controlling the stray animal population; and (3) Increasing the City’s Live Release rate. In FY 2015, a fourth Strategic Priority of Engage and Educate the Community was added.  Resulting from the implementation of the revised ACS Strategic Plan, the Department was able to increase its Live Release rate from 31% in FY 2011, to a record high 91.6% in FY 2018, and has maintained a Live Release rate over 90% since.  

 

The Department’s ability to increase its Live Release rate to over 90% is largely due to the successful implementation of the City’s High Volume Pet Partner (HVPP) program, initiated in FY 2012. In FY 2012, FY 2013, and again in FY 2017, ACS received City Council approval to enter into an agreement with San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!), most recently for the rescue of over 4,000 pets annually at a rate of $75 per qualifying animal.  Since FY 2012, SAPA! has rescued over 38,000 pets from ACS as part of the HVPP program and often facilitates rescues and adoptions for animals at risk of euthanasia.     

 

As the current contract with SAPA! Is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2020, ACS is recommending the renewal of this successful contract with slight changes to the HVPP Program.   In particular, ACS is proposing to allow SAPA! to pull animals from ACS that are still within their stray hold period. While this will not increase the number of animals rescued under this contract, it will help free up kennel space at ACS to allow the intake of additional animals and potentially decrease the number of animals that are euthanized for capacity. If SAPA! pulls an animal within its stray hold period, SAPA! Will be responsible for assisting with contacting the animal’s owners when identification, such as a microchip, is found on the animal and for finalizing the return to owner if applicable. 

 

By continuing the HVPP initiative with SAPA!, ACS anticipates maintaining its recent successes and Live Release rate. 

 

ISSUE:

This Ordinance authorizes a contract with San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) for the rescue of up to 4,410 animals from ACS in the amount of $75 per pet (up to $330,750.00). 

 

The ACS Director will also have the authority to amend the agreement without further action by the San Antonio City Council to: 1) adjust the amount of funding, or 2) adjust the rate per animal.

 

ALTERNATIVES:

Should these contracts not be approved, ACS will be required to find alternative rescue options for over 4,400 animals. If alternative rescue options cannot be found, ACS could see a significant decrease in its live release rate. 

 

FISCAL IMPACT

This Ordinance authorizes a contract in the amount of up to $330,750.00 payable to SAPA! for high volume animal rescue services. Funding for this contract is included in the ACS FY 2021 Proposed Budget and will be available in the FY 2021 Adopted Budget, contingent upon City Council approval.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance authorizing a contract with SAPA!.