KILLEEN, Texas (Dec. 11, 2023) - City Auditor Matthew Grady has conducted an independent review of the City’s Animal Services Division and has published his findings for public review.
The audit objectives were to: (1) assess the performance of the City’s Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the United States to operate the Fort Cavazos Stray Intake Facility; and (2) conduct follow-up on the City Auditor’s prior audit of Animal Services in the areas of live release rates, pre-sterilization, and trap-neuter-return (TNR). The scope of the audit covered activities from FY 2020 through FY 2023.
The City Auditor’s review of the Animal Services division found marked progress in several areas, countered by setbacks in others. The infusion of cash from the Intergovernmental Support Agreement with Fort Cavazos allowed Animal Services to address key long-standing deficiencies raised in a 2016 needs assessment. In addition, the Division has made significant strides to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, utilizing both traditional and social media.
However, the division’s progress was offset by a decline in live release rates, which fell to 66 percent in FY 2023, a factor of rising intake and static adoptions and rescues fueled by rising economic inflation. Sterilization rates also declined, a factor of limited local vet clinic capacity, which was exacerbated by the closer of Texas Humane Heroes in Killeen in early 2023. Finally, the division’s TNR program had largely stalled. Colony managers appeared to have opted out of the program, which needs a paradigm shift away from its compliance-oriented approach towards a best practice approach based on outreach and education.
Despite these setbacks, there are opportunities for significant improvement. The purchase of the East Lake Veterinary Center brings with it additional kennel space and the potential in-house vet clinic capabilities that should sharply reduce or eliminate the need for space-based euthanasia and ensure that all adoptable animals are spayed or neutered before they are released for adoption.
The full report can be viewed on our website at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Auditor.