In the time it takes you to finish thisarticle, you could have held five cuddly,adoptable pets that need “foreverhomes.” Over 400 cats and dogs a weekwill not find those homes. Many SanAntonians may not know what No Kill2012 means for the community. But forthe 30,000 pets euthanized annually byAnimal Care Services, it means a lot.
In February 2006, Mayor Phil Hardbergeraddressed the need for a strategicplan to significantly reduce thenumber of homeless animals in BexarCounty. “We’re seeking dynamic solutionsto meet this challenge – savingthe lives of all healthy adoptable pets by2012,” explained Hardberger.
In response, the City of San Antonioand the San Antonio Area Foundationformed the OwnUp SA Consortium ofPartners, a group of more than 20 civic,corporate and community leaders,including representatives from the city’sAnimal Care Services Advisory Board.Together they adopted Nathan Winograd’snationally recognized No KillEquation (www.nokilladvocacycenter.org)as an operating model to help fulfillthe mayor’s goal.
Among the key components to reachingNo Kill status are: frequent adoptionevents, free and low–cost spay/neuter programs, feral cat trap/neuter/return (TNR) programs and committed,passionate volunteers.
From the beginning, it was clear thatsuccess depended on increased communityawareness and participation.In March 2008, OwnUp SA kicked offwith an array of eye–catching billboardspromoting the “Opt to Adopt” message.Civic leaders including Bexar CountryJudge Nelson Wolff; Peter Holt, corporatechair for Spurs Sports and Entertainment;as well as two–time worldboxing champion Jesse James Leija –along with their family pets – proudlylent their support by participating inbillboard and on–line advertising.
As word about the OwnUp SA initiativespread throughout the community,volunteer efforts have flourished.Adoption events are held quarterly andhave helped increase adoption rates by42 percent throughout local area animalshelters and rescue groups. Out of theseevents came a multitude of upliftingadoption success stories.
“I was going through the empty nestsyndrome. I was very depressed,” saysSan Antonio resident Siri Castillo. “Myhusband took me to the Animal DefenseLeague. He picked out this little3–month–old, fox terrier mix. I just lovehim. Three years later, Ricco De Jesusrode in his first 3CR4 Scooter Rally. Wereally saved each other.”
Others take pet adoption quite seriously.
“My wife and I just moved to the EastSide of San Antonio about 10 monthsago,” says Fabien Jacob. “We have alreadysaved 10 dogs and about the same numbersof cats – all of them have found new,loving homes and are in good health.This has shown us that no matter whereyou live, second chances are alwaysgiven.”
By continuing to build communityawareness and supporting the dedicationof volunteers, No Kill advocates ferventlybelieve adoption rates will continue toincrease as more adoptable pets arerescued.
“I know the people of San Antoniohave enough room in their hearts to takein every healthy homeless pet in BexarCounty,” Holt says. “It’s time for all ofus to put this compassion into actionand step–up on behalf of all companionanimals.”
