City of Austin Audit Report on the Austin Animal Center

When: Presented to the Audit and Finance Committee on September 27, 2023

About: The Audit included a recommendation for the Chief Services Officers to work with stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor a strategic plan. 

Read:  Review the Audit Report here

Watch:  View the Report Presentation to the Audit and Finance Committee here

National Center for Animal Shelter Evaluation Report

When: Released September 2023 

What:  Council Resolution 220728-098 directed the City Auditor to identify and recruit an external expert knowledgeable in No Kill policies and practices to assist in identifying strategies and recommendations for improving ASO operations.  With input from the community, the City Auditor identified the National Center for Animal Shelter Evaluations that generated this report.  

Read:  Review the Shelter Evaluation Report here 

Outside Consultant Recommendations Provided to City Council Work Session

When:  Presented to City Council Work Session on January 30, 2024  

What:  Consultant hired to assist with working through Audit recommendations and developed proposed changes related to Austin Animal Services.  

Read:  Review the consultant’s recommendations here 

Watch:  View the City Council Work Session with Consultant Recommendation Presentation here  

Ordinance Amendments Related to ASO Passed by City Council

When:  Approved by City Council on February 1, 2024 

What: An ordinance amending City Code Chapter 3-1 relating to animal reporting requirements, impoundment procedures, public safety measures, and definitions to help create efficiencies within the Animal Services Office. 

Read:  Review the Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 3-1  

Updates Regarding the Results from the Animal Services Audit

When: Presented to Audit and Finance Committee on March 27, 2024 

What:  Chief Animal Services Officer update on the September 2023 Audit Recommendations, including announcing that they would be hiring a third-party vendor to facilitate the development of a strategic plan 

Read:  Review the ASO Audit Update Presentation 

Watch:   View the ASO Audit Update to the Audit and Finance Committee here 

Strategic Plan Kickoff

When:  June 25, 2024   

What:  Meeting with the Planning Group to initiate the strategic planning process and discuss Working Group members, stakeholder engagement, and timeline.  

Assessment Phase

When:  June to August 2024 

What: Key Stakeholder Interviews, ASO Staff, Volunteer, and External Stakeholder Listening Sessions 

ASO Strategic Planning Community Survey

When: July 17 to August 14, 2024 

What:  This survey will engage the broader community to collect feedback on ASO services, understand community priorities, and gather aspirations for the future of animal services. 

Draft Plan Framework Review and Feedback

When: Mid to Late November 2024

What: Opportunity for the stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft framework.Community feedback will be solicited on this SpeakUp page.  

Strategic Planning Workshop Series

When:  August 2024 to January 2025

What:  A series of workshops with the Working Group facilitated by the external consultant to collaboratively develop and refine the strategic plan. 

Presentation to Austin Animal Commission

When: Janauary 13 and February 10, 2025

What: ASO Strategic Plan 2025-2030 will be presented to the Commission and the public will be able to provide comment.