DAS Things to Know Newsletter - January 25, 2022

In Director MeLissa Webber's email yesterday, we let you know that due to our continuing staffing challenges, beginning this Thursday, DAS will be temporarily closed to the public for adoptions on Thursdays. This memo was also sent to both members of City Council and the Animal Advisory Commission.

We were aware this was a possible change last week, but until it was approved by City Leadership, we were not permitted to share the information with staff or volunteers. Last week, after Director Webber's meeting with our Assistant City Manager, the Leadership Team sent him a statement outlining the proposed adjustments to our public hours so that he could share the situation with and seek approval from the City Manager and City Council Quality of Life Committee. We were unsure if the request would be approved, but if it was, we had planned to let staff and volunteers know prior to any public announcement.

As the topic was discussed among City Leadership, interest in the topic grew and led to a memo being sent to the full City Council. That memo was then included in publicly available Council materials, where it was found and published by media.

With City Leadership's support, we are moving forward with the plan to close the building to the public on Thursdays temporarily. It is our hope that we will be able to reopen on Thursdays soon, and in the meantime, Field operations, animal care, and pet redemption will continue seven days a week.

If you have any questions on how this will affect you or your daily tasks, please speak with your direct supervisor.