At the Jan. 13, 2025 meeting of the Travis County Austin Animal Advisory Commission, resident Rochelle Vickery asked the commission and staff to consider staging an outreach clinic in the Elroy/Del Valle area after she reported multiple dumped puppies and difficulty placing animals with local shelters.

Vickery said she photographed five puppies that had been left with a man in the Elroy area, described them as about four to five months old and said the animals showed signs of parasites but not severe illness. She told commissioners she visited Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive and said both declined to take the puppies at the time. Vickery asked the commission to consider bringing a clinic to the area in April to help residents who face frequent dumping and to improve access to microchipping and basic care.

Why it matters: speakers said outreach clinics could capture animals that otherwise remain in unincorporated parts of Travis County, reduce abandonment and help identify owners via microchips. Commissioners noted the jurisdictional nuance — Vickery and the speakers said Elroy is unincorporated and part of Del Valle — and suggested staff would discuss how Animal Services handles calls from unincorporated areas.

Key details

- Location and jurisdiction: Vickery identified the area as Elroy, in unincorporated Travis County near the racetrack and Del Valle; commissioners suggested staff follow up on jurisdictional procedures for animals found in unincorporated areas.

- Request for clinic: Vickery asked specifically for a clinic in April and offered time-stamped photos as evidence she had documented the animals.

- Shelter response: Vickery said she tried to place dogs with Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive and that Austin Animal Center had helped previously; she characterized the current situation as urgent and recurring.

Ending

Commissioners said staff would address jurisdictional handling and encouraged Vickery to speak with staff during or after the meeting to provide photos and location details; staff follow-up was requested so the commission can evaluate a possible outreach clinic request.