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Welcome to Animal Services
September 09, 2021
Intake of stray and owner-surrendered animals at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) reached all-time highs the last few months. Initially, shelter capacity was greatly expanded through our foster program as well as those of our rescue partners. After exhausting all options through our rescue networks and promoting adoption specials, it is with a heavy heart that we report that SMRAS has been forced to make difficult euthanasia decisions regarding some animals being housed at our facility. Our goal has always been and will always remain to unite pets with forever families, and the decision to euthanize is one that we never take lightly. However, SMRAS has been at critical capacity levels for months and a review was performed of the dogs with a limited adopter pool, including those with bite histories, behavior issues or degradation, and medical concerns. A total of 8 dogs have been euthanized in the last two weeks so the shelter can continue to do the most good for the most animals.
The City of San Marcos Animal Services division, under the Neighborhood Enhancement Department, is responsible for providing humane care for the animals in the shelter and for the health and safety of other animals, visitors, adopters, staff, volunteers, and the community in general. We understand the recent euthanasia news is difficult for many, especially those that support the shelter and pets in various ways. This is also a difficult time for shelter staff and volunteers, who selflessly dedicate themselves to helping our homeless pets and strive to save as many lives as possible. Their dedication and hard work is evident in the shelter’s live outcome rate, which has improved from 74% in 2018 to 92% in August, 2021.
Reducing the number of stray and homeless pets is a community problem, and not one that the shelter can overcome alone. Now more than ever we need the public’s encouragement and help to free up space and resources at SMRAS, and most importantly save pets’ lives. Please consider fostering or adopting a pet in need, or volunteering. A list of current adoptable animals and more information about our foster program may be found at https://bit.ly/3mTL4p6. Please follow our Facebook page and share our posts to help us improve animal lives throughout Hays County.
The Adoption Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m, and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Wednesday and Sunday for deep cleaning.
The Intake/Reclaim office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Those dropping off stray animals, owner surrenders, and owner reclaims are encouraged to call or email to make an appointment, and check-in using WAITWHILE. If you have found a stray dog or cat, please call 512-805-2655 for resources to help get the pet back home, or check our Lost/Found list.
For animal fostering, please email foster@sanmarcostx.gov . For rescues, please email rescues@sanmarcostx.gov .
San Marcos Animal Services is dedicated to protecting the pets and people of the City of San Marcos. Our mission is to care for, protect and find quality homes for abandoned and neglected animals, aid in the reduction of pet overpopulation, and provide community education for the mutual benefit of animals and people.
The animal shelter is both the stray intake and rabies quarantine facility for all of Hays County, and is progressive about placing animals for adoption and rescue. SMRAS provides internship, volunteer and foster opportunities, adoption and outreach events, owner assistance, low-cost microchips, and referrals for free or low-cost spay/neuter.
An Animal Protection Officer is available during regular hours of operation and responds to animal emergencies after hours. Calls for service include stray animals, non-domestic or wild animals, deceased or injured animals, bite cases involving people and/or animals, as well as nuisance, cruelty, neglect and welfare investigations.
Implementation Plan:
In December 2018, San Marcos City Council directed staff to develop a plan to achieve a 90% Live Outcome Rate (LOR) at SMRAS. A committee was established early in 2019 and presented the plan to council in June 2019. To learn more about the implementation plan, please click on the link to the left or email AnimalServicesInfo@sanmarcostx.gov.