The Crisis: A Shelter at 138% Capacity As a veterinary professional with nearly a decade of experience in animal welfare, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the city is failing residents and pets at every level. According to city reporting, El Paso Animal Services has operated above capacity for extended periods. City of El Paso’s animal shelter is operating at 138% capacity, placing animals, staff, and the community at risk. City leadership frequently attributes this crisis to “strays.” However, available evidence suggests the root cause is far more complex: housing instability, landlord policies targeting pet owners, and a lack of transparency around city animal services. Residents who are actively helping—fosters, pet caregivers, and advocates—are facing retaliation, administrative barriers, and housing threats, while meaningful policy solutions are being blocked from formal review. This situation is unsustainable for both El Paso residents and the animals who depend on responsible city leadership. ⸻ Evidence of Systemic Ongoing Failures: Administrative Gatekeeping Community-proposed solutions have repeatedly been kept off the official agenda of the Animal Services Advisory Committee. Chair Chris Canales has declined to move housing-related pet solutions from public comment into the Official Action Agenda, preventing a formal review and vote by El Paso City Council. Housing Retaliation Against Fosters and 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 overcrowding. Aggressive Animal Double Standard Section 7.12.080 defines an “Aggressive Dog” as one that threatens or menaces the public. Yet enforcement disproportionately targets ordinary pet owners while high-volume illegal breeding operations with 10+ animals often go unaddressed. These operations pose a real public health risk, particularly regarding vaccination compliance. Financial Exploitation Without Accountability 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 one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their families and reduce shelter intake. However, the city has failed to proactively promote and expand universal access to free microchipping services. Federal Housing Protections Ignored Under the Fair Housing Act, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are legally protected. Housing providers cannot deny ESA accommodations based on breed stereotypes or unverified claims such as “allergies.” Determinations must follow the Direct Threat standard, requiring evidence of specific behavior. ⸻ Our Mandatory Demands for Action 1. End Administrative Gatekeeping We demand that the Animal Services Advisory Committee immediately place Housing-Related Pet Solutions on the official agenda for a formal vote. 2. Establish a Foster & ESA Bill of Rights • Prohibit eviction or retaliatory fees for authorized fostering or documented ESAs • Require aggression claims to meet the Direct Threat standard under federal housing law 3. Landlord Accountability Landlords collecting pet rent or pet deposits must ensure pet-accessible areas meet basic safety and habitability standards. 4. Protect Pet Care Providers Residents providing in-home pet sitting or dog walking must not be classified as operating illegal businesses or face housing retaliation. 5. Enforce Breeder Regulations The City must prioritize enforcement of Texas Rabies Control Act and local breeding regulations against illegal high-volume breeding operations. 6. Universal Microchipping & Transparency Provide free microchipping for all El Paso residents and establish a public dashboard detailing all available city animal services. ⸻ 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, residents will continue escalating this issue through media, public records requests, and voter advocacy. Demand accountability from the El Paso City Council! Sign the petition now.