Austin City Council has adopted changes to the city ordinance related to spaying cats and dogs at the Austin Animal Shelter, including an amendment that proved controversial.
Under the changed ordinance, the city will notify Austin Pets Alive! (APA) about animals that are lactating so that APA can pick up lactating animals within three hours of the notice. Mayor Kirk Watson provided that amendment, which a representative of Austin Pets Alive! praised during her comments to Council on Thursday. (Animals sometimes begin lactating prior to giving birth.)
Council Member Krista Laine objected to the addition to what she had proposed, which was simply to require more reporting on spays of visibly pregnant animals, the live release rate, and frequency of euthanasia. She also suggested that the city consider working with other animal groups. Mayor Kirk Watson pointed out that the city already has a contract with Austin Pets Alive!, adding that he had already checked with legal staff to ensure the contract does not need to be amended…