The Austin TX team was contracted by the City of Austin to develop community engagement strategies and recommendations for targeted zip codes. These zip codes were chosen due to the disproportionately high number of animals who are brought in to the center from the areas as well as the low number of successful return to owner rates that occur within them. Team Austin was contracted by the City to develop community engagement strategies and recommendations for the targeted zip codes as well as recommended performance measures to quantify outcomes.

Through research of best practices, staff and stakeholder interviews, review of the AAC’s community analysis, and a ride-along in the targeted neighborhoods, the ICMA team identified a number of challenges to engagement, including specific barriers to trust; a transient population and gentrification that may impact neighborhood cohesion; and diverse cultural norms around pet ownership and care.

Get more information on Leadership ICMA.