Northeast San Antonio Metrocom Edition | March 2023

alternative resources for rehoming pets, which would cut down on the number of animals dumped in the more rural areas. Ocials are also working to bet- ter enforce penalties for dumping, to ensure those who abandon animals are properly ned, Jenkins said. Live Oak ocials are working to upgrade kennel gates to transition quarantine zones into adoptable zones, which will increase the num- ber of animals the shelter can hold. Kinney said there is a discus- sion about building a new facility, but those conversations have not moved forward. Kinney said ocials are also work- ing to revise city ordinances to help eliminate the issue of not being able to return animals to their owners. Revised ordinances will enable the city to microchip an animal to ensure the owners are easily reachable should the animal go missing again. “After the rst impound, when your dog gets out, we are going to microchip that animal,” she said. “That way, if we get it again, it is that much faster to get ahold of the owner.” Live Oak ocials also use social media, such as Facebook and TikTok, to promote animals in the shelter, which has led to an increase in adop- tions, Kinney said. “We go as far as doing collages for every animal that we have, and we go as far as doing TikTok videos for them,” she said, adding it has been an eective strategy as animals are being adopted more quickly. Over the last couple of years, Schertz has invested $650,000 in the shelter and worked to address holding space, building infrastructure and heating and cooling, which has alleviated some of the capacity diculties. However, city ocials continue to work on the shelter with the goal of adding an outdoor cat space and an agility course for dogs in the future, Lagunas said. The main initiative for Schertz is to educate residents about vaccinations and preventive measures for diseases and illnesses. Lagunas said the city relies on a pas- sionate team of volunteers and sta to collect the animals and care for them. “It is a hard job sometimes, but everybody is passionate about it,” she said. Community involvement Each shelter relies on assistance from the community with each in need of volunteers and donations.

The following organizations oer discounted services to residents who may have diculty accessing them. SPAYNEUTER Snipsa 210-237-9400 • www.snipsa.org San Antonio Humane Society 4804 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio 210-225-7297 • www.sahumane.org Spay/Neuter Assistance Program 6758 Ingram Road, San Antonio 210-673-7722 • www.snapus.org VACCINESMICROCHIPPING Vanguard Veterinary Associates 210-444-9237 www.vanguardvet.com Penny Paws 10330 Kotzebue St., San Antonio 817-993-1234 • www.pennypaws.com For Schertz, the shelter relies on the community to help with vacci- nations and ensure pets are properly secured outdoors. “We want to discuss rabies a lot with the community and help educate about responsible pet vaccinations,” Lagunas said. “The rabies vaccine is so important. ... The core of our exis- tence is to prevent the spread of rabies and zoonotic disease.” Area cities host events for dis- counted vaccinations, microchip- ping, and spay and neuter services. Schertz oers residents micro- chipping for $15, which is about $45 cheaper than other facilities. Similar to Live Oak, if an animal is impounded without a microchip, then it will be chipped before leaving the facility. In Universal City, the shelter has initiatives to provide low-cost micro- chipping and vaccinations in conjunc- tion with Penny Paws twice a month. Wilkiewicz said shelters such as the one in Cibolo rely on community sup- port to succeed, and without monetary donations and volunteers, the facilities would not be able to continue helping pets and other animals in the area. “We wouldn’t survive without the support of the community,” Wilk- iewicz said. “I have gratitude for the community and the feedback they give us and the continued support going forward. We are a small shelter, but we are holding our own.”

NEED MEALS? WE CAN HELP!

Meals on Wheels San Antonio can provide more meals with the support of the Bexar County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)! Please give us a call if you are: • Not able to prepare your own meals • 62 years+ • Have proof of residency for living in:

Schertz Somerset Universal City Von Ormy

Alamo Heights Balcones Heights

Helotes Kirby Leon Valley Live Oak

Elmendorf Grey Forest

Call us at 210-735-5115 to see if you meet all of the eligibility criteria and start the application process! If you don’t live in one of these areas or meet the above criteria, you can apply online at mowsatx.org/referral If you don’t need meals, but want to learn more about volunteering, donating, or referring someone else for services, visit www.mowsatx.org

210-735-5115 | 866-806-6972 | www.mowsatx.org

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION • MARCH 2023