SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Achieving a "no-kill" shelter is no easy task but the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is on its way.
- Trying to achieve live outcome rate of 90 percent or higher
- Shelter has lacked resources in the past
- Possible property tax increase needed
Although, city staff is aware of the overhaul it takes to maintain a live outcome rate of 90 percent or higher.
"It's trying to turn our operations around 180 degrees into this new modern way of sheltering,” Implementation Plan Coordinator Derryann Krupinksky said.
Krupinksky coordinates committees that are in charge of creating an implementation plan.
"In the end, it'll help the government partners gauge the level of community interest and support in direction they take," Krupinksky said.
The regional shelter takes in animals from the county and surrounding cities, and the shelter's been strapped for resources in the past.
A big concern for city staff is the cost of maintaining no-kill status. San Marcos has looked to neighboring no-kill shelters for comparison.
"We've seen the increases in the realm of millions of dollars. And it might include a new shelter, operational costs, additional staff, supplies, even vet care, things like that," Krupinksky said.
In turn, Krupinksky said there may need to be a property tax increase, but it's too soon to say that definitively.
"There may be some people that want to raise their taxes no matter what it costs, and then some people who wouldn't want to raise their taxes at all. We're just trying to get some different striations in there to give our government partners," Krupinksky said.
There will be public input meetings and an online survey for community members to voice concerns, and give direction for the implementation of the no-kill initiative.
“It's the right thing to do. You know, I think the city feels that way, city council feels that way. The more animals that's that we can save the better,” Krupinksky said.