By Richard Bristol
As the city of El Paso closes out a year of measurable progress at Animal Services and continues evaluating the department’s future direction, this is an important moment to take stock of where the department has been, what has changed and where we still have work to do.
Over the past year, Animal Services has increased its live-release rate, reduced the time animals spend in the shelter, achieved nearly 10,000 adoptions and performed a record number of surgeries. At the same time, we have continued examining our operations and identifying areas where we can do better.
That work began in 2025, when city management commissioned an independent Shelter Savvy assessment as an operational tool to provide an outside perspective on day-to-day operations, identify gaps and help determine where improvements were needed.
The assessment was completed during a significant leadership transition, as the former Animal Services director retired and interim leadership took over. Since then, the department has been working through issues identified in the assessment as well as needs staff had already identified internally.
That work has resulted in meaningful changes.
Cleaning, sanitation and surgical protocols have been strengthened. Kennels, intake and examination rooms, and the surgical suite are cleaned and disinfected daily. Animal Services now closes one full day each month for facilitywide deep cleaning and staff training. Post-operative procedures have been strengthened, new equipment ensures proper disinfectant dilution, and an isolation camper previously used for cats has been replaced with an isolation ward.
We have also strengthened internal communication and training, including regular meetings throughout the organization and pairing new employees with senior Animal Care Attendants during their probationary period.
Those changes are producing measurable results – and the numbers matter because they represent better outcomes for animals.
Animal Services achieved 9,859 adoptions in the last fiscal year and returned more than 3,000 animals to their owners. Transfers have more than doubled compared with 2023, providing another pathway for animals to leave the shelter and find their forever homes.
The live-release rate increased from 77% in fiscal year 2024 to 83.6% in fiscal year 2025, and 85.3% in fiscal year 2026. Simply put, a greater percentage of animals entering our care are leaving alive through adoption, return to owner or other positive outcomes.
Animal Services also performed a record 18,113 surgeries, supporting adoption efforts and our broader work to reduce unwanted litters.
Length of stay has improved substantially. The typical shelter stay is now less than 10 days, and there are currently no dogs that have been in the shelter for more than one year. Shorter stays are better for animals and allow limited shelter space and resources to help more animals.
These accomplishments matter, but they do not mean our work is finished.
The Shelter Savvy findings and changes made since the assessment were recently discussed publicly with the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. That work is subject to continued review, including public discussion with the Advisory Committee, an internal audit requested by the city, and an independent assessment of the department’s medical program by Dr. Guy Johnson, a former president of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. The city also continues evaluating foster and shelter-partner programs, strengthening procedures and expanding staff training.
Community feedback gathered by the city is also helping inform priorities and expectations for Animal Services moving forward.
Accountability is not a single report or meeting. It is identifying problems, making changes, measuring results and continuing to improve.
The 2025 assessment was one operational tool in that process. As Animal Services moves forward, the progress is measurable, the areas requiring additional work are clear, and our commitment to improvement continues.
Richard Bristol is a deputy city manager for the city of El Paso and provides executive oversight of the Animal Services Department.
The post Opinion: El Paso Animal Services makes progress, but work remains appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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