If you only have a few interactions with Austin An...

If you only have a few interactions with Austin Animal Center, chances are you'll have a good experience. Many of the staff who care for the animals and interact with the public are devoted, caring people. But the staff, volunteers, and the taxpayers deserve better leadership. AAC's outcomes are getting worse in many categories. At the time of this review, intake is down, but adoptions, fosters, returns to owner, and transfers to rescue are down even more in the last six months from the previous year. Even though dogs sometimes stay for months, quality of life and dogs' need for walks and exercise have been an issue for years and the problem remains. Volunteers who raise concerns are often ignored or censored, and some of those who criticize, like me, have been banned from the volunteer program. Volunteers and staff alike privately express a fear of speaking up about problems and advocating for improvements. Austin's City Council, City Manager's Office, and funders like Maddie's Fund are so far willing to turn a blind eye to questionable and bad practices and the toxic environment at AAC. Austin Animal Center needs new, compassionate and competent leadership and true oversight, transparency and accountability.