DALLAS — Dallas Animal Services is set to get a $2 million boost to help cover increased services related to suspected animal cruelty investigations, which have increased as the city works with law enforcement and outside partners. The funding will support veterinary care, transportation and temporary housing for animals seized during cruelty cases. Dallas’ proposed more than $5 billion budget ...

People wait in the lobby during the Dog Days of Summer event at Dallas Animal Services in Dallas on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News/TNS

DALLAS — Dallas Animal Services is set to get a $2 million boost to help cover increased services related to suspected animal cruelty investigations, which have increased as the city works with law enforcement and outside partners.

The funding will support veterinary care, transportation and temporary housing for animals seized during cruelty cases.

Dallas’ proposed more than $5 billion budget includes $21.8 million for DAS to cover operational costs, manage shelter populations, promote responsible pet ownership and connect residents with essential services, such as microchipping and vaccinations. That’s up from $19.7 million this current fiscal, even though the department is expected to lose four positions.

City officials say the additional funding will primarily be used for the department’s operating budget to match ongoing needs. Those include personnel costs, such as overtime for staff providing 24-hour animal care, as well as supplies and contracted services required for shelter operations.

Still, some council members pushed for more. The department needs more money to update its aging facilities and address overpopulated shelters, according to community advocates for animal well-being.

“I get it. We are in tough times. But again, because Dallas Animal Services is an essential service, it puts it at a different level than other departments in the city of Dallas,” said Shelby Bobosky, the former chair of the city’s Animal Advisory Commission. “We need to keep our city safe, and public safety is key.”

New animal shelter

During budget discussions, two council members raised concerns about the department’s West Dallas facility and pitched amendments that would further increase the department’s funding.

Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert, in a Sept 3 council briefing, said the outdated facility needed to be addressed in order to enhance services.

“We understand that we’re probably not going to be a general fund our way out of this problem,” Tolbert said. “I think we’re gonna be asking for this body support, maybe a future bond program that will dedicate funds to help enhance that service delivery overall.”

Last year, Dallas voters approved a $1.25 billion bond package, but updates to the shelter were not included. According to the department’s 2023 presentation, the city needs about $120 million in bond funds to upgrade or replace the West Dallas shelter, which was built in 2006.

The shelter’s current facility is 58,330 square feet, including parking and outdoor space. The proposed facility is 122,000 square feet, including enclosed space. Of that, 62,000 square feet was designated for canopy-covered outdoor dog runs and covered parking.

Bobosky said the commission was very frustrated when the proposal for the new shelter didn’t make it out of the committee and a scheduled tour of the facility for the committee was cancelled.

“I would ask every elected official in the city of Dallas, have you visited the shelter? Have you taken a tour?” Bobosky said. “Have you gone with an animal control officer on a ride-along? Because only then can you see the true needs of our city when we face our animal challenges.”

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis presented an amendment to increase funding by $400,000 for animal services to expand spay and neuter programs, as well as microchipping and vaccination programs, in order to reduce shelter intake.

During the discussion, Willis said increasing funding for spay and neuter programs would alleviate the department’s overcapacity.

“They are taking so many pets, and when they have pets coming in from various conditions, sometimes that leads to an outbreak,” Willis said. “We are not building a new shelter; we need to get ahead of this issue (overcapacity) and educate the public about spaying and neutering.”

Council member Adam Bazaldua introduced a similar amendment for $2.5 million.

Both council members said these amendments were in response to the increased demand for DAS services and to residents’ requests for more resources. Neither amendment passed.

Spay and neuter programs

The proposed budget does highlight continued investment in spay and neuter programs and trap-neuter-release services for community cats.

According to the department, in recent years, the city and its partners have facilitated more than 13,000 spay/neuter surgeries annually and provided trap-neuter-release services for roughly 4,000 cats.

The department operates one of the largest municipal shelters in the country and provides animal control services across Dallas. Its responsibilities range from sheltering and adoption to enforcing city codes on dangerous or stray animals.

City Council approved the budget at its Sept. 17 meeting. It will take effect Oct 1.