League City’s animal control shelter has plenty to bark about after it and one of its employees were recently honored at the annual Texas Animal Control Association Conference.
The shelter last week received a Texas Animal Control & Welfare Agencies Award for cities or counties with a population over 50,000, but less than 100,000, city spokeswoman Kristi Wyatt said. The award is given each year to the agency that has an effective employee development program, is involved in public awareness, and has made improvements such as upgrades to facilities, handling of animal enforcement, and efficiency of personnel, she said.
During the last year, the shelter’s holding capacity has been doubled, which allows stray animals to be held in a separate area from adoptable pets in an effort to control the spread of disease, Wyatt said. Stainless steel cages were also purchased for the cat holding area to limit disease, she said.
Additionally, the shelter’s interior was repainted, Wyatt said. Last year, homes were found for 77 percent of the dogs and cats that were picked up by the city’s animal control officers, she said.
“I’m very impressed and proud,” City Councilman Mike Barber said of the shelter’s award.
At the conference in Corpus Christi, animal control officer Sammy Garza also received the James Vyers Field Officer Award for his outstanding performance above and beyond normal duties. He has been an animal control officer for city the since 2006.
During Hurricane Ike, Garza voluntarily took animals from the city’s shelter to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. He remained there during the storm in difficult conditions and took care of the animals.
“That never ceases to amaze me,” Barber said. “A lot of people put so much effort in over there.”