City of San Angelo Ends Partnership with Concho Valley PAWS

The city of San Angelo has decided to end its partnership with the local nonprofit shelter, Concho Valley PAWS. This decision came during a regular council meeting on September 16 and has sparked reactions from both the city and the nonprofit organization.

PAWS had been working with the city’s animal shelter for five years under a contract that started in 2020. As the agreement approached its conclusion, the council was faced with a choice: either accept a new proposal from PAWS to continue the partnership or revert pet adoptions back to the city’s management. Ultimately, the council chose not to renew the agreement.

City Manager Daniel Valenzuela expressed confidence in the city’s ability to manage the transition. “We feel confident that the transition can be easily managed by our staff,” he said at the meeting. “There may be some bumps in the road along the way, but we will move forward. We’ve done it in the past, and we can do it again.”

One of the strategies outlined by Valenzuela involves reassigning current staff members to take on roles related to pet adoptions. This shift aims to maintain the continuity of services while allowing the city to handle adoptions internally.

PAWS Responds to the Decision

Concho Valley PAWS shared its perspective through a Facebook post, expressing disappointment over the council’s decision. The nonprofit raised concerns about the city’s capacity to provide the same level of service that PAWS had offered.

“The decision will likely lead to fewer adoptions and options for pets, thus increasing euthanasia for space,” the post stated. It also highlighted historical data from the city’s previous adoption program, which saw over 9,000 cats and dogs euthanized annually.

In 2016, the city had sought to outsource its adoption services after assessing the effectiveness of its existing program. That year, PAWS stepped in and helped reduce the euthanasia rate from 80% to 30%. The nonprofit emphasized that while there were financial aspects to their partnership, the value of the services provided far exceeded the city’s investment.

“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our donors, supporters, adopters, volunteers and board of directors,” the post continued. “While this marks a start of a new chapter for our organization, we will continue to work towards a better future for San Angelo’s pets and the people who love them.”

New Leadership and Future Plans

Amanda Weddle, the city’s new animal services manager, shared her vision for the future of pet adoptions in San Angelo. She emphasized the importance of creating more accessible and community-centered adoption opportunities.

“Our goal is to broaden opportunities for placement rather than limit them, ensuring that every animal has the best possible chance at a forever home,” Weddle said. She also mentioned that the city plans to collaborate with multiple rescue organizations, including PAWS, to allow these groups to pull available pets.

Weddle acknowledged the efforts of PAWS in placing animals in loving homes and stressed that the city’s intention is to increase adoptions through a collaborative approach. “Our intention is not to hinder adoptions but to increase them through a collaborative, inclusive approach that benefits both the animals and the community we serve.”

Moving Forward

With the end of the partnership, the city is taking steps to ensure that pet adoptions remain a priority. While challenges may arise during the transition, officials are committed to maintaining the well-being of animals and supporting the community’s needs.

As the city moves forward, it will be important to monitor how these changes impact adoption rates and animal welfare. The collaboration between the city and local organizations like PAWS will play a key role in shaping the future of pet adoption in San Angelo.

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