On February 1, 2024, Austin City Council voted on a change to animal welfare ordinance without ethically consulting the Animal Shelter advisory committee beforehand. This is supposed to be a public city meeting with accessibility, and a check and balance system for decisions which impact all residents of the state capitol. The process is lacking in visibility, ethics, transparency, inclusivity and accessibility with what appears to be an intention to suppress the voices of the public. 

I would like to support a class action lawsuit against Don Bland at Austin Animal Center, Austin City Council, and City Mayor for discrimination against women, exclusionary behavior, and refusal to follow ethical and legal processes in place to allow city ordinance changes to be proposed with sufficient time for review or public participation before the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee (a public meeting). The Open Meeting Act and American Disability Act help to protect citizens, and are in place to maintain legal government conduct.

They have historically disallowed female animal welfare subject matter experts of a scientifically educated animal behavior background, as well as boots on the ground firsthand rescuers, Good Samaritans and volunteers, to submit input and participate. The FBI will corroborate that studies of The Link show 77% of animal cruelty is co-occurring with interpersonal violence, particularly domestic violence, sexual abuse of children, and elderly abuse. The lack of attention to all of these matters demonstrates the City of Austin's lack of regard for public health and safety of the most vulnerable members of our society, as well as their disinterest in consulting educated experts who can assist in developing sustainable strategies of a social work nature.  

Animal rescue and volunteering groups, which are forced to compensate for the city's long term animal welfare failings, are demographically comprised of 80-100% women, yet the mostly female participants are routinely silenced, dismissed, and excluded. This behavior is indicative of deep rooted and systemic misogyny and discrimination which perpetuates Austin's lack of animal cruelty law enforcement and education, insufficient animal welfare staffing and allocation of budget, lack of mental and financial support to staffed and citizen first responders, and is a threat to public health and safety.

Texan residents and constituents can no longer afford the negligence at city, county, and state levels which refuse to intervene on behalf of improving quality of life of people and animals.