‘Stop killing animals for space’ Councilman draws a line at City Hall

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Animals are finding loving homes at Corpus Christi Animal Care Services but not all of them.

Despite dozens of adoptions each month, healthy cats and dogs are still being euthanized simply because the shelter has run out of space. Now, some city leaders say that has to stop even if it sparks a political fight at City Hall.

Step inside the shelter and the reality is immediate.

Wide-eyed kittens peer out from cages, barely old enough to understand where they are or why they’re there.

Just a few kennels away, dogs bark relentlessly. Some want a walk. Some want attention. Some just want to be noticed.

The shelter is full and loud.

Last month alone, 145 cats and dogs were adopted. But 55 others were euthanized.

Councilman Eric Cantu says those numbers are unacceptable.

“Tuesday should be the date that we stop killing animals for space,” Cantu said. “So I’m looking forward to the argument with other council members to debate this.”

Cantu wants Corpus Christi Animal Care Services to become a no-kill shelter meaning healthy, adoptable animals would no longer be euthanized just to make room for new arrivals. He and two other council members have placed the issue on next week’s City Council agenda.

City staff caution that becoming no-kill wouldn’t be simple or cheap.

“To get to that step, we would have to do a comprehensive analysis,” said Assistant City Manager Sonny Peronel. “If council decides this is the direction we want to go, then we would get with our consultant and determine how big of a campus we would need staffing, equipment, vet services, everything.”

That could mean a larger shelter, more veterinarians, more employees and significantly more funding. This year, CCACS has a budget of $6.2M 

Cantu says if the City can’t find the money, voters should decide.

“If they can’t find the money for the shelter, then let’s put it to the voters,” he said. “Set it aside in a bond election or something and build a bigger facility for our animals.”

Until then, city leaders say they’re relying on partnerships working with more than 100 rescue groups and animal organizations across Texas and across the country to keep euthanasia numbers down and adoptions up.

For the animals waiting behind those kennel doors, the outcome of that council debate could mean the difference between a forever home or running out of time.