Re: Resident Opposition to Proposed Temporary Animal Holding Facility

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Dear Mayor, Council Members, City Officials & Animal Advisory Board,

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I am writing as a concerned Frisco resident regarding the City’s current consideration of a temporary animal holding facility to house lost animals for the brief stray-hold period before transferring them to the county shelter.  While we recognize the City’s intent to address a growing need, this proposal falls far short of what our community and animals want and deserve.

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Frisco is a city known for innovation, progress, and high standards. A minimal holding facility does not reflect these values. What residents overwhelmingly have been asking for—and what Frisco truly needs—is a full-service animal shelter and animal services department offering:

• A Community Hub, meaning a full-service animal service center, that cares for lost, abandoned, and adoptable animals. 

• A Community Hub that offers pet adoption services, low-cost spay/neuter programs and vaccination and microchipping clinics

• A Community Hub that collaborates with respected partners offering low-cost services such as The Spay/Neuter Network and Texans for Them

• A Community Hub for pet lovers to volunteer which offsets the operation costs and staff duties.

• A Community Hub for pets supporting local rescues and outreach programs to encourage adoption, fostering, and responsible care.

 

The truth is the process surrounding this decision has lacked the transparency and public involvement that Frisco citizens expect. Unlike other city initiatives, there have been no open forums or public meetings to discuss the proposed facility. The city has not consulted with local animal welfare groups or included the community in the conversation. It leaves us with many questions including:

1. Where is the data to support that a facility like this would work?  What other US City has a facility like this?  Did you visit it?  Why have you not published any data to show this facility works?

2. How much will it cost to build?  Maintain?  Operate?  (compared to a traditional Animal Services Center)

3. What data do you have to support the idea that a temporary holding facility would be less stressful on the animals?

4. Who is the private partner? Will the private partner have medical, zoonotic expertise to run a facility?  Why the lack of transparency behind this question time after time?

5. Will the facility have a volunteer program that allows for community engagement?

6. What data do you have this facility will be more efficient and effective than a traditional Animal Service Center?

 

Even more troubling, the City’s own Animal Advisory Commission has not visited in an official commission capacity another local animal shelter in the area.  How many of the advisory members are current volunteers at a local shelter and how many hours do they volunteer a week?  Better yet what is the attendance rate of those who sit on the committee?

 

As residents and taxpayers, we respectfully say NO to a temporary holding facility or any solution short of a comprehensive, full-service animal shelter. Our city has the resources, the leadership, and the community support to do better—and we are ready to work with you to make it happen.

 

Please reconsider the current direction and VOTE NO to a temporary holding facility and commit to building an animal center that reflects the heart and values of our city.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to your response.

 

Sincerely,
Your Name
Concerned Resident of Frisco, TX