FINDING FUNDING The WCRAS serves several jurisdictions in Williamson County, including Hutto, Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock and all other unincorporated areas of Williamson County, meaning the organization’s budget is composed of funds from all serviced areas. The GAS serves only Georgetown.
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter FY 2021-22 budget
Georgetown Animal Shelter FY 2021-22 budget
WORKFORCE WOES Both shelters have open positions. Ocials said the challenges the vacancies pose are exacerbated when the shelter is overcrowded. Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter 3 open positions out of 44*
Williamson County: $1.49 million Round Rock: $547,222.70 Cedar Park: $255,265.76
$1.2 million from the city of Georgetown general fund
Leander: $187,911.25 Hutto: $144,930.15
Donations from Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter: $19,000
Donations and grants: $684,731
Total: $2.62 million
SOURCES: GEORGETOWN ANIMAL SHELTER, WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
HUNTER TERRELLCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Ongoing challenges Gunnin and Peier agreed funding levels for the animal shelters are not enough to support sta and opera- tional needs. “We are grateful for the money that we receive from our community lead- ership,” Peier said. “But when we are overwhelmed by animal intake, funds can diminish quicker than expected.” In FY 2021-22, the WCRAS received a total of $2.6 million from its ser- viced jurisdictions with 56.87% of that from Williamson County, 20.89% from Round Rock, 9.74% from Cedar Park, 7.17% from Leander and 5.53% from Hutto. The Georgetown shelter had a FY 2021-22 budget of $1.2 million, included in the city’s general fund. Both entities rely on donations and fundraising eorts. “Residents are very supportive of our programs,” Gunnin said. “Even if they just drop o a bag of dog food, every little bit counts.” The Georgetown shelter receives local donations from the Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter, a nonprot that has raised more than $19,000 in 2022. Similarly, the WCRAS has received annual support from national non- prot Petco Love. “The Williamson County Animal Shelter is one of the most eective and productive organizations in the region,” Petco Love President Susanne
Kogut said. “We are proud to have invested over $1 million to support [Williamson County] and their work.” The WCRAS 2021-22 annual report shows the shelter received an addi- tional $684,731 from community donations and grants. Another challenge facing the local shelters is stang. As of Oct. 15, the Georgetown shelter had six out of 14 sta positions vacant, and the WCRAS had three out of 44. Peier said while these numbers may seem small, they are signicant when caring for double or even triple the amount of animals the facility is designed for. Gunnin and Peier said even if all their positions were lled tomorrow, they would still need volunteers to operate smoothly. “Just coming in and taking a dog for a walk is a big help,” Georgetown vol- unteer Felicia Drummond said. “They never ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with, and you do it on your own time.” Gunnin said the shelter has accepted 251 volunteers, but only 64 have completed time. Comparatively, the WCRAS 2021-22 annual report states the shelter had accepted 366 volunteers, but not all committed hours. “I am thankful for all the employees and volunteers who give their time and eort at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter,” Williamson
County Precinct 3 Commissioner Val- erie Covey said. “We could never oper- ate a successful shelter without them.” Future partnership With the county quickly growing, Peier and Gunnin said the region will more than likely have to serve more animals. In response, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the county will take the appropriate steps as more information becomes available. “We value our animals in Williamson County and are always assessing their needs,” Gravell said. “We are keeping a close eye on the growing number of animals the shelter continues to see and the possible need for expansion in the future.” In 2019, the city of Georgetown conducted a study that showed the need for increased shelter capacity. That necessary expansion would cost the city about $7 million, according to city documents. The study also proposed another solution—the Georgetown Animal Shelter could be absorbed into the WCRAS. Under this model, George- town would contribute a portion of the WCRAS annual budget. According to a Georgetown city o- cial, both parties gave their sta direc- tions over the summer to explore a possible partnership. “I am looking forward to discus- sions regarding additional or improved
366 accepted volunteers
Georgetown Animal Shelter
6 open positions out of 14*
251 accepted volunteers
SOURCES: GEORGETOWN ANIMAL SHELTER, WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER COMMUNITY IMPACT
*AS OF OCT. 15
sheltering facilities to better serve the current and future needs of this community in the most cost-eec- tive manner,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Shroeder said. City documents state no for- mal decisions have been made yet. Georgetown Communications Ocer Keith Hutchinson said any future agreement would need to be approved by the WCRAS board, all WCRAS members and Georgetown City Council. “Whatever the outcome, we are all in this profession for the same rea- son: to help the animals in our com- munity,” Gunnin said.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022
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