Groups protest Austin Animal Center, say leaders aren't fixing changes needed

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some Austinites gathered downtown on Saturday in a peaceful sidewalk demonstration, saying "poor leadership" is leading the Austin Animal Center.

Local group Here for the Dogs organized the protest as a way to advocate for policy changes at the animal shelter, according to the Here for the Dogs website.

Those people said they take offense with Don Bland, the current chief animal services officer at the Austin Animal Center, who they said isn't committed to Austin's no-kill mandate.

David Loignon, who works a number of volunteer groups around Austin, said the city was making good on its commitment before Bland.

"We made a commitment 10 years ago -- more than 10 years ago -- to be no kill, and we've done a very good job up until the point Don Bland got here. And then you can see it fall apart," Loignon said.

Two years ago, Bland received a vote of no confidence from the Austin Animal Commission over concerns about alienating partner organizations and volunteers, compounding the center's overcrowding.

“We know the emotional toll that being involved in animal welfare takes even in the best of times, and we’re so appreciative of our staff, volunteers, and community members for helping us save 97% of the lives that come into our care month after month,” Bland told KXAN in a statement. “Our goal is always to find appropriate placement for as many dogs as possible while balancing intake requests and humane care, and we welcome any assistance in getting these dogs placed.”

Back in January, a resolution discussed by Austin City Council called for changes to the city's requirement that the shelter hold dogs for at least 72 hours in the shelter before releasing them to foster.

The resolution also asked the shelter to define the language "animals" from the city code, which governs the city's "no kill" rate, and change it to "cats and dogs" so the city's reports more accurately reflect pets.

At the time, Bland told KXAN the changes were a start and there's more to come.