MISSOURI CITY, Texas – The Missouri City Public Works Department announced major changes to the Missouri City Animal Shelter, aimed at increasing the quality of care and functionality of the shelter for the animals, city staff and volunteers.
These changes come as the city is working on an internal review of the shelter's processes and procedures that was prompted by violations and concerns highlighted by several reviewing agencies, including the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Volunteers said they had also been fighting for improvements for the last several months.
"We just want to save their lives," said Valerie Tolman, a lead volunteer for the Missouri City Animal Shelter.
Tolman spearheaded the volunteer program at the shelter years ago. Within months of volunteering, she noticed things that needed improvement. She said the doors to the shelter were inconsistently open. Animals would not always be able to get in.
"Every year, I'd bring it up that you guys need to hire someone for the front desk. This is not serving the public well. This is not serving the animals well," Tolman said.
She and other volunteers also pushed for more resources, but they felt their efforts fell on deaf ears because of budget issues. This winter, they asked the city again for a receptionist.
"We asked for $17,000 for a part-time position. The total budget for the animal shelter is only $208,000. That's all the salaries to run it -- very low budget," Tolman said.
Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter is a nonprofit group that raises money to spend on services for animals at the shelter.
"We exist to pay for vet bills," said Tolman, who is the treasurer of the nonprofit's board. "We've been paying all along -- spaying and neutering -- because our whole point is to help the dogs."
Last year, the group raised $42,000 for animal services that Missouri City would otherwise have to pay for. In February, Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter board members decided it would not fund services for the animals at the shelter until the city improved conditions there.
"The dogs were sick. (The shelter) didn't give any medication. They weren't heartworm testing. They weren't vaccinating on a timely basis. They weren't deworming," said Tolman.
The letter to the city read, in part, "We will re-evaluate our support once the City Council has voted and gone on record about what kind of animal shelter they envision for Missouri City. We feel that the city should take a stand and adopt policies that reflect the values of its citizens."
City officials said some of the shelter's services were affected after the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners found that there were several violations involving the shelter's possession and distribution of prescription drugs.
Volunteers said the medications were taken from the shelter.
The city also said it is currently doing an internal review of the procedures at the shelter, and it has created a plan to improve the shelter's functionality, processes and services. The changes were announced this week.
"We have laid out a plan for City Council at the last working session, seeking some new resources to have these new polices and new regulations implemented in place as well as new staffing needs that are required to make some corrections and move forward in a positive way," said Shashi Kumar, Missouri City's director of public works.
Some of the major changes include hiring a full-time shelter manager and a part-time veterinary technician to help with procedures.
"This is based on our internal review as well as the feedback given by the review agencies," said Kumar. "Currently, what we have is some volunteers that help us. We have an Animal Control supervisor, but where we see a need is somebody with oversight to manage, as well as work with, outside agencies and volunteers to promote adoptions."
According to the release the city sent, other changes include new software installed in the facility to help Animal Control manage day-to-day operations. The software would track and report on animals that pass through the facility. The facility is also installing five new security cameras and enhancing training for the handling of drugs and medications, and the staff is working on a contract with a veterinarian to administer medications or to train Animal Control officers on the procedures.
"My goal, and the challenge that has been given to me, is to take proactive measures, is to make this a better shelter and put in proper policies and procedures, both for the staff as well as the volunteers," Kumar said.
Major changes ahead for the Missouri City Animal Shelter amidst the city's internal review and violations. City says changes will be positive for the shelter and the city. Volunteers said they've been asking for changes for months. Only on 2-Story at 6 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/fddqWRFqOm
— KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon (@KPRC2RoseAnn) February 8, 2018
Volunteers said they have seen some of the changes happening. In addition, a receptionist has been hired, so the facility is much more accessible. Volunteers said they are glad to hear of the changes and hope that the city follows through. The results could help decrease the city's animal euthanasia rate.
"Right now, the Animal Control officers are doing everything. Right now, they're doing the vaccines, medicines, taking them to the vet. With a manager, they could organize that. And with a vet tech, we could get all the medicine done, vaccines and testing done," said volunteer Jennifer Gibbons.
City Councilmember Floyd Emery said he is hopeful that the changes will bring positive results for the city.
"The changes will be for the good. It will be best for the dogs and the cats that are under our control and our custodianship," Emery said.
The nonprofit has since reinstated its contributions for services. The city said the money never went to the city itself but directly to the service providers.
Kumar said the changes will be seen in the span of several months.