Animal Control reports 107 animals adopted amid COVID-19




Barbara Bowen Peeler (left) of Jourdanton rescued this little fellow, Butch, two weeks ago from the Atascosa County Animal Control. Pictured with them is Debbie Chisholm who encouraged Barbara to go see the ACAC facility. Be sure to stop by the ACAC where you just might find your furever friend. There are plenty of dogs and cats who need a loving home. ACAC is located at 292 Spur 162 in Jourdanton behind the Tex Best. ATASCOSA CO. ANIMAL CONTROL | COURTESY PHOTO

Barbara Bowen Peeler (left) of Jourdanton rescued this little fellow, Butch, two weeks ago from the Atascosa County Animal Control. Pictured with them is Debbie Chisholm who encouraged Barbara to go see the ACAC facility. Be sure to stop by the ACAC where you just might find your furever friend. There are plenty of dogs and cats who need a loving home. ACAC is located at 292 Spur 162 in Jourdanton behind the Tex Best. ATASCOSA CO. ANIMAL CONTROL | COURTESY PHOTO

While COVID-19 has made people spend more time at home, people have also been traveling to Atascosa County for a new pet.

Last Tuesday, Animal Control Director of Operations Chief Henry Dominguez gave the quarterly report for the Animal Control Facility during Commissioners Court.

“Currently, our levels at the facility are very good. Ever since this [COVID-19] began, people have been adopting,” Dominguez said.

Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley said the facility processed a lot of animals, but they are getting adopted by people.

“We don’t know whether it’s people spending more time at home because of COVID-19,” Hurley said. “A lot of animals have been saved.”

Hurley said the animal control facility in San Antonio was closed during the pandemic.

Dominguez said because of the closure in San Antonio people have been heading to Atascosa County to adopt animals.

From January to March, a total of 584 animals were processed, 107 were adopted, 168 were rescued/ transferred and 69 were returned to their owner.

During that time, 106 were euthanized for vicious tendencies, 85 were euthanized for being unhealthy, three puppies failed to thrive.

“We had to euthanize, unfortunately, 46 healthy animals due to space limi- tations,” Dominguez said, adding that animals were coming into the facility and they had nowhere to go.

“At that point, the decision is made to euthanize healthy animals,” Dominguez said. “Since people are at home more, they have had more time to adopt animals.”

He said the adoption rate will be higher at his next quarterly report.

“Our turn around rate is much better,” he said.

One of Atasocsa County Animal Control’s goals is to have as many live releases as possible. The current kennel capacity is around 20 percent.

“Anytime we have an adoptable pet that comes through our facility, it is always great to get them out alive,” Dominguez said.

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