As a veterinary professional and advocate in animal welfare, I've witnessed firsthand how the city is failing residents and pets at every level.

Time and time again, we see El Paso news reporting how the animal shelter is at over 138% capacity, citing an "influx of strays with no microchips", consistently blaming the "irresponsible ownership". What the city fails to mention is that the community is not a monolith. Every day, responsible residents are doing the work the city refuses to do----Fostering, Caring for our pets, Rescuing animals at our own expense, and Reuniting pet owners with their lost pet, and Reporting animal neglect and cruelty. By imposing this blanket label of "irresponsible" on all the residents, the city is attempting to justify its own lack of transparency and overall administrative failures. 

This situation is unsustainable for both El Paso residents and the animals who depend on responsible city leadership. 

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El Paso City Systemic Failures: 

Administrative Roadblocking: Community-led solutions and public testimonies are being intentionally silenced. ASAC Chair Chris Canales has actively blocked public comments from being included in official action agenda meetings and formal meeting notes. By erasing these contributions from the public record, the committee is preventing a transparent, democratic path to City Council votes. 

Housing Retaliation Against Fosters and Pet Caregivers: Residents who foster animals or provide pet sitting/ walking services have reported threats of eviction or "illegal business" fees from landlords. Under Title 7 Animal Ordinance, these residents are not classified as animal establishments, yet they are being penalized for helping reduce shelter.

The Double Standard: The city enforces "Aggressive Dog" ordinances (Section 7.12.080), yet ignores high-volume breeding operations (10+ animals). When residents report documented aggressive animals from these colonies—including loose, rampaging dogs killing wildlife and livestock—and cite a total lack of State-Mandated Rabies Vaccinations, the city and dismisses the safety report as "harassment." This selective enforcement prioritizes illegal breeders over public safety and state health laws. 



Financial Exploitation: Many landlords charge non-refundable pet deposits and monthly "pet rent" while failing to maintain safe and sanitary conditions for animals on their properties. If landlords profit from pet ownership, they should be required to uphold minimum safety and habitability standards for pets.  

The Microchip Access Gap: Microchipping is the single most effective tool for reuniting lost pets with their families and directly reducing shelter intake. However, the City of El Paso has systematically failed to proactively promote universal access to these resources—            [Intentional Misinformation] Current outreach efforts falsely portray microchipping as an "event-only" service. This creates unnecessary barriers for pet owners who may not be able to attend specific pop-up clinics.                                                                                                                      [EPAS Fred Wilson Facility] The city has failed to transparently inform the public that free microchipping is available year-round at the Fred Wilson location.                                                          [The Impact] By treating a permanent public resource as a series of exclusive events, the city is suppressing the number of protected pets in our community, leading to higher euthanasia rates and overcrowded shelters.



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Our Mandatory Demands for Action

1. End Administrative Gatekeeping: We demand that Chris Canales and the Animal Services Advisory Committee immediately place Housing-Related Pet Solutions on the official agenda for a formal vote.  

 2. Landlord Accountability: Landlords collecting pet rent or pet deposits must ensure pet-accessible areas meet basic safety and habitability standards.

3. Protect Pet Care Providers:  Residents providing in-home pet sitting or pet boarding must not be classified as operating illegal businesses or face housing retaliation.

4. Enforce Stricter Breeder Regulations:  The City must prioritize enforcement of Texas Rabies Control Act and local breeding regulations against illegal high-volume breeding operations.

5. Universal Microchipping & Transparency:  Update the City of El Paso websites to feature year-round free microchipping services, ensuring all residents are well-informed.

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Official Petition for Municipal Action 

We, the undersigned residents and voters of El Paso, call on the City Council to adopt the reforms outlined above.

El Paso's animal welfare crisis is not caused by compassionate residents—it is caused by policy failures and a lack of accountability.

 If the City refuses to act, I urge residents to continue escalating this issue through media, public records requests, and voter advocacy. 

Demand accountability from the El Paso City Council! 

PETITION GOAL: 3,000 signatures to trigger an Initiative Ordinance under the El Paso City Charter.

By signing, you are demanding that the City Council formally adop these life-saving reforms and end the administrative suppression  of animal welfare advacacy.

Sign the petition now!