Wimberley City Council Passes No-Kill Resolution As Movement For Shelter Change Grows

“Tonight’s vote is an important step for us. It gets us closer to our goal of No-Kill,” said Kate Shaw, who gave a presentation on the No-Kill Resolution. “This resolution is an important piece of the puzzle…”

A No-Kill Resolution was unanimously passed tonight. Applause broke out in the crowded room after Wimberley Mayor Susan Jaggers and City Councilmembers resoundingly endorsed their support for life-saving changes at the region’s animal shelter.

The No-Kill Resolution requests a pledge to shelter reforms and a commitment by the City of San Marcos leadership and the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter to actively work towards a 90% live outcome rate, to be phased in over time.

The resolution states that the City of Wimberley will provide support and resources to help SMRAS achieve No-Kill status.

At this time, the stated live outcome goal for SMRAS is only 70 percent.

“The City of San Marcos and Hays County must issue No-Kill Resolutions to show they’re working towards 90 percent live outcome. It will allow the shelter to seek grants that they’re not currently eligible for, and is a crucial step to getting more donations, fosters and volunteers to support their work,” says Sharri Boyett, a volunteer with the Hays County Animal Advocates.

“Tonight’s vote is an important step for us. It gets us closer to our goal of No-Kill,” said Kate Shaw, who gave a presentation on the No-Kill Resolution. “This resolution is an important piece of the puzzle, which is to build awareness and community support throughout Hays County for more resources and volunteers for the SMRAS. Wimberley was the first to vote this in, but I don’t think the other communities are far behind.”

Wimberley is a compassionate community of animal lovers. Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue has a team of volunteers which saves many dogs, diverting those from ever entering the shelter, and they also rescue dogs from the shelter. Wimberley is home to community cat volunteers who trap, feed and fix cats, and their Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Cathy Moreman, highlights photos of adoptable dogs at the Chamber offices.

Barbara Foss, President of WAG Rescue, submitted written comments voicing WAG’s full support of the No-Kill resolution. “We believe that every healthy and treatable animal should be saved.”

The resolution was brought forth by the Hays County Animal Advocates, which is a collective of organizations and individuals with a shared purpose of eliminating the killing of sheltered companion animals. They encourage residents who want to get involved to visit their website, haysanimaladvocates.org, for more information and to volunteer, foster or adopt at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter, 750 River Road, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Wimberley No-Kill Resolution

The purpose of this resolution is for the City of Wimberley to state their support and agency for the adoption of a No-Kill policy for the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter which provides Animal Shelter and Control services to all of Hays County.

The resolution supports the creation of an Inter-Local Task Force to implement steps necessary for the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter to achieve No-Kill status of 90% Live Outcome by achieving milestones in a multi-phased approach.

The Inter-Local Task Force will share in governance over Animal Services and be comprised of each of the participating city and county entities which contract for Animal Shelter and Animal Control Services. 

WHEREAS, a No-Kill animal shelter is identified as saving all healthy and medically treatable dogs and cats that enter the animal shelter system; and

WHEREAS, the City of Wimberley desires to invest time and resources toward the goal of saving the lives of 90% or more of the dogs and cats placed in the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter; and

WHEREAS, the City of Wimberley deems it necessary and proper as consideration for their portion of contract fees and in the best interests of the city, county, its citizens, and dogs and cats to have a No-Kill policy for the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter; and

WHEREAS, the City of Wimberley further desires to request that every effort be made to improve equipment and facilities, offer expanded support and training opportunities to the SMRAS staff, and strengthen relationships within Hays County to ensure success of a No-Kill policy for the region’s animal shelter; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY:

Section 1.  The City of Wimberley hereby respectfully request that the City of San Marcos declare immediately their intention to reach No-Kill status (90% or more live outcomes) by January 1, 2020.

Section 2. The City of Wimberley hereby respectfully requests that the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter implement all actions necessary to achieve said goal on or before the target date and to provide timely updates for transparent accountability.

Section 3. The City of Wimberley hereby respectfully requests that the City Manager of San Marcos provides a monthly report on the progress for implementation of said No-Kill policy to be published to the City of San Marcos website and the City of Wimberley website.

Section 4. The City of Wimberley shall appoint a representative to the Inter-Local Task Force.

PASSED, APPROVED AND RESOLVED this day of September 11, 2018.