Garden Ridge pet owners could have five days—not the current 14—to reclaim a stray animal under an ordinance scheduled for City Council consideration Wednesday. After the proposed holding period expires, an unclaimed animal could be spayed or neutered, adopted, or transferred to a rescue or no-kill shelter.
The council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 in the City Council Chambers at 9400 Municipal Parkway. The animal-services proposal is listed as an action item, meaning council members may discuss it and vote, but the agenda does not establish that the change has been approved.
The city adopted the 14-day period in 2018 to give owners more time when they were away or did not know a pet was missing. According to the staff summary in the meeting packet, the city had only two known cases under the earlier three-day rule in which an owner tried to reclaim an animal after that period had expired. Staff says it has identified no similar cases since the hold grew to 14 days.
City staff is recommending a five-day period. Its written rationale says the shorter hold would help move unclaimed animals into permanent homes more quickly, open shelter capacity and reduce the staff time and resources needed while animals await disposition. Owners would retain an opportunity to reclaim their animals during the new period.
The change is part of a broader proposed animal-services ordinance establishing rules for animal control and care, service fees and penalties. The packet also says Public Works, which includes Animal Services, is developing procedures for animal intake and outcomes, planning improvements to animal holding bays and completing a volunteer handbook.
For residents, the immediate consequence is the proposed nine-day reduction in reclaiming time. Until the council acts, however, the packet describes a recommendation rather than a new rule. The recorded vote and final ordinance will determine whether the five-day period takes effect and whether council members revise any part of the proposal.