Katy City Council tables animal control budget change

By R. Hans Miller | News Editor
Posted 4/27/21

Katy City Council members tabled a budget amendment which would have added $7,000 for a pilot program to focus on animal care at Katy Animal Control’s shelter. In a 3-2 vote most councilmembers …

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Katy City Council tables animal control budget change

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Katy City Council members tabled a budget amendment which would have added $7,000 for a pilot program to focus on animal care at Katy Animal Control’s shelter. In a 3-2 vote most councilmembers voted to give a recently formed advisory committee more time to come up with a detailed plan for improvements to the department.

“I don’t want the (Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) to feel pressured to – I mean, yes, we’re all anxious to see a plan with associated costs – but I don’t want them to feel pressured that they may take any shortcuts,” said Councilmember Janet Corte.

Councilmembers Jenifer Stockdick and Rory Robertson argued in favor of moving forward with the pilot program to begin vaccination, spay and neuter programs earlier rather than later, which can lead to more successful outcomes for strays or feral animals picked up by animal control.

Katy Police Chief Noe Diaz, who oversees Katy Animal Control, said the advisory committee has met three times now and has had productive conversations. Members of the committee, he said, have discussed challenges faced by the department and are examining what can be done to improve systems and procedures.

Councilmember Stockdick said she was not getting regular updates from her appointee to the committee and asked Diaz if updates and meeting notes could be provided to the council. Diaz said he was open to the idea and City Secretary Becky McGrew said she and her staff would coordinate with Diaz to ensure notes and reports were made.

Diaz also highlighted improvements already taking place in the shelter. All puppies are now being vaccinated upon intake using a ten-in-one vaccination which is purchased locally for $15.99 at Tractor Supply. Worming medications are given to puppies and kittens as well, Diaz said. The medicine is mixed with foods for the cats and is a tasteless liquid when given to puppies.

The department has gotten offers for volunteers, Diaz said, but currently does not have enough animals to warrant the need for volunteers to come in. Additionally, the department has partnered with the Houston Humane Society to assist with feral cats, injured animals and the disposal of animal remains when needed. The sally port at the kennel has been set up as a dog run and the construction of a new fence for the shelter area is set to ensure animals do not run loose, especially near I-10, Diaz added.

Diaz also said cameras have been installed throughout most of the animal control facility to monitor activity in the shelter. One additional camera will be installed in the shelter’s office soon once the installer has recovered from a health issue, he said.

Body cameras have been issued to the two existing officers as well and after Diaz identified the need for two additional cameras, two city officials volunteered to pay for the cameras at a cost of about $300 each.

“I would like to go on record that (City Attorney) Art Pertile and myself will each buy a body camera,” Mayor Bill Hastings said. 

Fort Bend County Animal Cruelty has begun surprise inspections the city’s facility to monitor for quality care for animals, Diaz said. One inspection has already been completed with no concerns.

Hastings, who rarely speaks on agenda items during meetings, asked for the budget amendment to be tabled until the advisory committee could come up with a detailed plan.

Stockdick and Roberts both maintained their objections to waiting to begin the pilot program, saying that it had been detailed in the April 12 meeting.

“I would like to not table it,” said Stockdick. “I just think if we wait until June to get a full report, (after) the … five months that they’ve been working on it when we can make changes to animals’ lives now. By doing vaccination upon intake, and I know you’re doing it for puppies and kittens, but we’re not doing it for all the animals that come in. And so, I don’t think moving $7,000 over to make immediate improvements is going to affect the overall project that the board is going to come back and tell you what they want.”

Katy City Council, Katy Animal Control