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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter March 2012© City of Georgetown, 2012 VOL. 10 • NO. 3 A Publication of the City of Georgetown March 2012 mark of a 90 percent live outcome rate used by some shelters, Austin reported that they were a “no-kill” shelter for 2011. At the Georgetown shelter in 2011, the live outcome rate was above 90 percent in five separate months. While Carey has not analyzed the figures for other shelters, she says the 90 percent live outcome rate for the Georgetown shelter is a fair measurement since it includes ani- mals assessed to be not adoptable. “Our numbers are true numbers of Without much public fanfare, the Georgetown Animal Shelter passed an important animal welfare mile- stone last year. In 2011, the shelter had a live outcome rate of 90 per- cent. That means that nine out of ten animals that came to the shelter were adopted to new homes, trans- ferred to rescue groups, or returned to their owner. “This is a big accomplishment for an open intake municipal animal shelter since we do not get to pick and choose what animals come through our doors,” says Jackie Carey, animal services manager. Carey says that despite some common misconcep- tions, the Georgetown Animal Shelter follows a practice that has broad public support. “We don’t euthanize any animals that we con- sider adoptable,” says Carey. She adds that animals were not eutha- nized due to lack of space at the shelter. Some animals that were not adopt- able due to medical conditions or severe behavioral problems like bit- ing were euthanized. However, some stray cats that were brought to the shelter and typically would have been euthanized in the past, since they were semi-feral, were adopted by ranchers and farmers in an inno- vative barn cat adoption program. Comparing live outcome rates for animals among municipal public shelters, nonprofit shelters, and res- cue facilities can be difficult due to varying rules for intake, adoptions, or shelter management. In January, the City of Austin animal shelter announced a live outcome rate of 91 percent for 2011. Based on a bench- Animal Shelter Live Outcomes at 90 Percent all animals that come in, including the animals we euthanized that were not adoptable, but are still count- ed,” says Carey. Behind the higher live outcome rate for 2011 is a multifaceted effort developed by the shelter over many years. That effort includes an active adoption program through market- ing and outreach events, frequent spay or neuter clinics, an active fos- ter care network, and community education. Cooperation with rescue groups, PetSmart store adoption programs, and other shelters in the area also has played an important role. Supporting the shelter in all its efforts are dozens of volunteers who take animals to adoption events, walk dogs, clean cages, foster ani- mals, coordinate fundraising events, and much more. “The live outcome rate we achieved last year was due to the work of so many people, including the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, our dedicat- ed volunteers, our hard-working shelter employees, and the broader community,” says Carey. “The result of all this effort is that so many more dogs and cats are healthy and living in good homes in our com- munity.” The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter will offer free spay or neuter clinics for free-roaming cats in Georgetown on March 3, April 7, and May 5. The goal of the clinics are to reduce the free-roaming cat population. Spay and neuter surgeries and a rabies vaccination will be provided at no charge. Appointments are required for the free clinics, which are offered on a first-come, first- Spay or Neuter Clinics for Cats served basis and are not necessarily for low-income cat owners. Cats or kittens must be at least three months old. Since the clinic is offered to free- roaming cats whose owners who live in the City Limits, bring a utility bill or other proof of residency. Call (512) 930-3592 to schedule your cat for surgery. All spay or neuter surgeries will be done by a licensed veterinarian. Appointments are limited to 60 cats. The spay and neuter clinic will be held at the Georgetown Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive. The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown PublicCommunications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact KeithHutchinson, public communications director, at (512) 930-3690 or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org March Events The Palace Theater Singin’ In the Rain, February 24 – March 25 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. First Friday,March 2 Downtown live music, shops and restaurants are open late. See the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Georgetown Quilt andStitchery Show,March 23 – 24 Presented by Handcrafts Unlimited at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, admission is $6. For details, go to Georgetownquiltshow.org Big Band Concert,March 25 The Georgetown Symphony Society presents the Temple Jazz Orchestra in an afternoon of Big Band sounds with guest saxophonist Ed Calle. At the Klett Center for the Performing Arts at Georgetown High School starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 or $20 for adults, $5 for students. Available at the Williamson County Sun, both Georgetown HEBs, the Sun City CA office (residents only), or at the door the afternoon of the concert. For details, call (512) 864- 9591 or go to www.gsstx.org. Senior Adult Dance,March 30 Put on your dancing shoes and come to the Senior Adult Dance for those ages 55+ from 6 to 9 p.m. The DJ playlist includes Big Band classics, Doo-Wop, Classic Country, and hits from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. The dance will be at the Community Center, 445 Morrow Street in San Gabriel Park. There will be a sing-a- long contest, a couples dance con- test, and Hula-Hoop contest—prizes awarded! Dress is casual and there will be light refreshments. Cost is $5 per person. Please RSVP by March 26 to Robert Staton at (512) 930-1367 or robert.staton@georgetown.org. The Georgetown Swirl Saturday, March 3 Sample top wines from Texas wineries and savory bites from local restaurants in downtown businesses while enjoying live jazz music at The Georgetown Swirl. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. on the downtown Square. Only 350 tickets sold online. Cost is $30 per person. Proceeds benefit the Main Street Program’s facade and sign grants. Go to Swirl.Georgetown.org for details and tickets. Red Poppy Festival April 28 – 29 Saturday night concert on the Square with Johnny Lee and Cory Morrow. RedPoppyFestival.com Georgetown Grand May 19 – 20 State Cycling Criterium Championship and recreational ride. Bicycle racing in the down- town streets in a one-mile, double loop circuit GeorgetownGrand.com Paws for Mardi Gras March 24 The 4th annual Paws for Mardi Gras dog walk to benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter is Saturday, March 24. The dog walk starts and ends at the gazebo in San Gabriel Park and follows a route on the hike and bike trail. Paws for Mardi Gras is a family-friend- ly event that begins at 10 a.m., rain or shine. The route will be one lap around the trail in San Gabriel Park. Wear your goofiest human and canine costumes for a parade and costume contest that starts at the gazebo after the dog walk. There will be prizes in several categories. Registration starts at 9 a.m. on the day of the event at the gazebo, or you can register online any time at paws.georgetown.org. Before and after the walk there will be a variety of activities and local businesses participating in our Pet Fest. For details, go to paws.georgetown.org. Eggs Away! on March 31 The Easter Bunny takes flight! Come to the Georgetown Municipal Airport for this first-time event, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and the Georgetown Municipal Airport. Candy eggs will be dropped from the B-25 Devil Dog WWII-era bomber during a flyover at the Airport. The plane drop is at 10 a.m. Plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m. Eggs Away! is for children ages 10 and under, and it’s free! Enter the Airport News items from across the city Upcoming Events at the North Gate by Halmar Cove. The inclement weather date is Saturday, April 8. For details, go to eggs.georgetown.org. State Preservation Conference A statewide conference for historic preservation commissioners, sponsored by the City of Georgetown, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions and the Texas Historical Commission, is being held in Georgetown on March 26 – 27. One hundred and fifty participants are expected at the event to learn about historic preservation. Georgetown was one of the first cities in the Certified Local Government program, started 26 years ago as an economic develop- ment and preservation initiative of the Texas Historical Commission.