Austin Animal Services is urgently seeking assistance from the community to foster or adopt animals after the shelter experienced a significant setback, going without air conditioning for a prolonged period of ten days.
The shelter reported that while temporary repairs have been implemented, the need for community support remains critical. Approximately 80 dogs were affected by the malfunctioning air conditioning system, as two kennel runs designated for medium and large dogs lost cooling on August 14.
Elizabeth Ferrer, a representative from Austin Animal Services, explained, “Kennel runs are the individual areas housing one or two dogs, and we have two kennels with 40 runs each, impacting around 80 dogs in total.” Upon realizing the severity of the situation, the shelter promptly reached out to the city’s Facilities Management Department, which indicated that special parts would need to be ordered for a comprehensive repair.
In the interim, the shelter has utilized portable air conditioning units and box fans to help circulate air and maintain a more tolerable environment for the dogs. Staff members are focused on ensuring that the animals have sufficient water and are frequently monitored throughout the day, especially as Central Texas has faced record-high temperatures.
This incident is not an isolated case; the shelter has battled air conditioning issues since its relocation in 2011. Ferrer noted that various outages have occurred this year in different sections of the facility. The ongoing challenges have been compounded by the shelter’s overcapacity situation, which has persisted for nearly two years, limiting their ability to relocate dogs during emergencies.
“We have temporary kennels, sometimes referred to as rolling kennels, and currently, over 60 dogs are located in one of our conference rooms, with others positioned in hallways and near veterinary services,” Ferrer stated.
To alleviate the situation, the shelter is hosting a “Clear the Shelter” event on Saturday, August 29, where all adoption fees will be waived, making it easier for potential adopters to bring home a pet.
Animal activist Julie Oliver voiced her concerns on social media, emphasizing the dangers posed to dogs that cannot regulate their body temperature in extreme heat. “To endure such conditions for ten days is incredibly harmful,” she remarked, pointing out that the shelter could have initiated a call for foster and adoptive homes much earlier.
On Monday, conditions at the shelter were reported to be improving, with temperatures monitored closely. A permanent solution for the air conditioning issue has been ordered and will be installed upon arrival.
