Weatherford Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Regular Session – July 15, 2026

The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee met in regular session on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Weatherford City Hall, 303 Palo Pinto Street, Weatherford, Texas. All committee members were present. Staff provided updates on shelter operations, health concerns, renovation plans, community events, and adoption successes. The committee approved the prior meeting minutes, scheduled its next meeting for September 3, 2026, and adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

Administrative Items

• The committee approved the minutes of the March 12, 2026 Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meeting. Dr. Kathryn Garofalo made the motion, Montanna McMasters seconded, and the motion passed.

Shelter Operations Update

• Levi Leal, Animal Services Manager, reported on new hires: Animal Control Officer Joshua Colwell and Animal Care Technician Ariel Lucer.
• Leal explained that kitten season runs from early spring through late fall, with peak months April through September. Newborn kittens often require round-the-clock bottle feeding, and the shelter relies on rescue partners and fosters for that care.
• The shelter received a donation of enrichment toys from Nylabone. Leal said enrichment helps reduce stress, prevent boredom, encourage natural behaviors such as chewing, and improve animals’ mental health while they await adoption.
• Describing monthly statistics, Leal said intakes, adoptions, and departures have been somewhat lower, while euthanasia increased this month because of sick and injured animals, particularly during kitten season. He said rescue partners remain strong, though many area rescue groups are full.
• Leal reported on a rooster-fighting case that began in March involving chickens and roosters taken from a Parker County property. A rescue placement was found, but testing before interstate transport showed infectious herpesvirus: seven of nine submitted sample sets were positive. State rules required euthanasia of the birds and a 30-day ban on housing birds at the shelter after decontamination. Leal praised staff, volunteers, and partners for their work on the case and noted the effect on April’s save rate.
• Five staff members attended the Texas Unites for Animal Conference, hosted by Operation Kindness at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin from April 23-26. Sessions covered shelter medicine, behavior, animal control, community outreach, volunteer management, and lifesaving strategies.

Veterinarian Health Update

• The shelter veterinarian reported that New World screwworm has been found in Texas over the past month and a half. The maggots feed on living tissue rather than dead tissue; the disease was previously eradicated from the U.S. and has moved north from Central America. The shelter has educated staff, monitors for signs, and has preventive products available. The USDA has ramped up sterile fly production as an eradication strategy.
• The veterinarian reported a case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in a young donkey rescued from a nearby sale barn. The donkey was euthanized, exposed equines were isolated, and no spread has been reported. She noted the significance of Parker County’s horse industry.
• A puppy from a group of seven shelter puppies was adopted, then diagnosed with canine distemper one week later and euthanized. Follow-up testing at the shelter has been negative. The veterinarian said the shelter is being proactive in surveillance given a costly distemper outbreak several years ago.

Shelter Renovation Update

• Levi Leal said the completed phase of the shelter renovation is holding up well, with positive feedback from animals, staff, and the community on how clean and professional it looks.
• Planning continues for the next phase, including drawings and possible requests for bids or qualifications. Leal and other staff said the city is committed to adding more buildings and new features across the shelter campus. More details are expected at the next committee meeting.

Events Update

• The shelter participated in Martin’s Elementary Career Day on May 5 and Wright Elementary Career Day on May 12, teaching students about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
• Barbarossa, a gray pit bull who arrived severely malnourished while caring for five puppies, served as an ambassador at a career day and was adopted shortly afterward.
• The shelter attended the Texas Health Super Safety event with Hazel, a black pit bull, to share dog bite prevention and safe pet interaction information.
• At the Peach Festival over the previous weekend, the shelter and festival together achieved 20 adoptions.
• The annual Clear the Shelter event will be held August 29, 2026, with adoption sales and discounts throughout the month.

Animal Success Stories

• Staff highlighted Abby, a senior Labrador mix estimated to be about 10 years old. Abby was adopted after only 10 days in the shelter by a couple and picked out her own toy. She was heartworm positive, but Parker County Pets Alive sponsored the cost of her treatment, removing an adoption barrier.
• Staff highlighted Titus, one of 18 German shepherds removed from a property with poor living conditions. All 18 were brought in on a single day. Most have since been placed, and Titus was adopted by a family. Parker County Pets Alive also sponsored Titus’s heartworm treatment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• After the future meeting announcement, no citizens came forward to comment on non-agenda items.

Key Outcomes

• The committee approved the March 12, 2026 meeting minutes.
• The next Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
• No formal action was taken on staff reports; they were informational.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.