History
In February of 2006, San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger informed citizens of the urgent need to decrease the number of unwanted animals in our community. It was announced that the city’s animal control facility kills some 50,000 abandoned and abused cats and dogs each year. The city’s Animal Care Services Advisory Board developed a strategic plan to transform San Antonio into a “no kill” community by 2012.

Collaboration
The San Antonio Area Foundation is collaborating with the city through funds from the Aid To Helpless Animals Trust of the San Antonio Area Foundation to engage the entire community in a comprehensive approach to improve animal care in San Antonio. 

The "Animal No Kill Consortium of Partners" (Consortium), a steering committee comprised of leaders representing a broad cross-section of the community, is working to engage the entire community to ehlp meet the mayor's goal.  The Consortium includes representatives from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services Advisory Board, the Area Foundation in addition to key segments of the community.

Goals
While much of the work will be accomplished through improvements within the Animal Care Services Department, achieving the goal will require tremendous effort by San Antonio and Bexar County residents. The Strategic Plan will be accomplished by developing a community awareness program, educating the public about responsible pet ownership, increasing the number of sites providing low-cost spay and neuter services and by identifying the most effective way animal care organizations can serve the needs of the community.

Key Accomplishments for 2007 include:

1. Conducted a scientific survey of community attitudes, beliefs and behaviors with respect to companion animal care.  The findings and policy recommendations have been presented to City Council and are being used to inform the public relations campaign.

2. Facilitated the development of the Alamo Area Partners for Animal Welfare (AAPAW), an association of local animal welfare groups working cooperatively to reduce companion animal euthanasia rates in San Antonio.  AAPAW will be instrumental in providing input and expertises in key areas such as spay/neuter, responsible pet owner education and adoption.

3. Nationally recognized No Kill expert and author Nathan J. Winograd visited San Antonio in October 2007 to motivate, inspire and teach the community about how to acheive this goal.

4. AAPAW held the IAMS Home 4 the Holidays Super Adoption Event in December 2007 at which 101 companion animals found new homes.