Marble Falls is looking to partner with the Humane Society to help save money and strays

Marble Falls is strongly considering partnering with the Hill Country Humane Society to address the stray animal problem. The deal could save the city money and provide higher quality care for stray dogs and cats. The partnership could also strengthen a federal funding request from HCHS to build a regional facility for all Highland Lakes.

Although no hard decision has been made about an official partnership, the Marble Falls City Council directed city staff during a special workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to move forward with negotiations and the necessary work to make the deal a reality.

The issue has been discussed among Marble Falls leaders for months due to difficulty maintaining adequate care and conditions for stray animals at the city’s shelter. The small animal protection facility is simple, run by a beleaguered animal protection officer and relies almost entirely on volunteer work and donations.

If all goes according to plan, Marble Falls would send an estimated 125-160 animals per year to the Hill Country Humane Society at a cost of $250 per intake, which equates to about $30,000 to $40,000 per year. A partnership with the Humane Society, 9150 RR 1431 in Buchanan Dam, would also require an upfront investment of $80,000 to $100,000 to build additional kennels to house the additional animals.

According to Marble Falls Deputy Police Chief Trisha Ratliff, the cost of working with HCHS in the long run is actually less than improving the current animal control facility, hiring more staff and providing the same quality of care to the animals.

“If we were to sign an interlocal agreement with the Humane Society, it would completely negate the need for a kennel technician position and likely any additions to the current animal services budget as it stands,” Ratliff told council during a lengthy presentation on the topic at the Tuesday workshop.

Ratliff estimated it would cost $20,000 a year to hire a part-time kennel technician to help care for animals at the city shelter. It would also cost about $96,000 to upgrade the facility and increase animal care standards.

The above costs do not include the cost of spaying/neutering, vaccinating and properly feeding adopted animals, which the Hill Country Humane Society would care for through a partnership with the city.

“I think the best way I can describe the animal control facility in Marble Falls is that it is truly a prison,” MFPD Chief Glenn Hanson told the city council. “We take an animal off the street, house it, feed it, water it and that’s all.”

Councilman Griff Morris expressed his full support for a partnership with HCHS and recognized the volunteers who help run the city’s animal shelter.

“I’m all for this (partnership),” he said.

According to Assistant Chief Ratliff, volunteers contributed approximately 1,000 hours of service to Marble Falls Animal Control during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Currently, Marble Falls has a full-time animal control officer who handles approximately 1,700 calls for service annually, 195 of which are for animal intake. Ratliff said that leaves little time for actual animal care, with volunteers picking up the slack.

According to volunteer coordinator Mary Jo Callaway, only about 10 permanent volunteers handle the work, which mostly consists of cleaning up after the animals and providing basic needs.

“(Callaway) has done an incredible amount of work,” Councilman Morris said. “She didn’t give up like many others did. I just want to say thank you.”

REGIONAL FACILITY

Ratliff said a sister city partnership with the Hill Country Humane Society would allow the nonprofit animal rescue to apply for federal grants through U.S. Rep. John Carter’s office. This money could be used to build a larger facility in a more central location that would serve the entire Highland Lakes.

Currently, Marble Falls is the only large local government in the region that does not partner with HCHS on animal intake services. Once a partnership is in place, Marble Falls may provide a letter of support as part of the Humane Society’s grant application, which could greatly assist their application.

“As the last holdout, we are kind of the gap between the regional facilities that you all talked about (and the grant funding),” Ratliff said.

Paighton Corley, executive director of the Hill Country Humane Society, spoke during the Marble Falls workshop and supported a partnership with the city, particularly regarding the possibility of obtaining grants for a regional facility.

“We really strive to be more than just an animal shelter,” she said.

No specific timelines or numbers were provided as to when construction would begin or where the regional facility would be located, but volunteer coordinator Callaway told DailyTrib.com that it could take two years from the time funding is received.

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