Animal Care Services Analysis Shows Improved Outcomes & Indicators

Published on May 21, 2026

Highlights include improved live outcomes for animals in ACS care, including an increased overall placement rate, and a decline in roaming dog indicators.

SAN ANTONIO (May 21, 2026) — At the request of City leadership, San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) recently completed an informational analysis examining shelter intake trends and related community indicators during the first half of FY2026. The analysis highlighted improved live outcomes for animals in ACS care, including an increased overall placement rate of 89.6% year to date, compared to 86.4% during the same period last year. The placement rate includes indicators such as the number of adoptions, rescues, owner reunions, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) for sterilized community cats. Adoptions specifically saw an increase of 20.7%, while foster placements increased by 18.1% so far in FY26.

The analysis also found decreases in shelter intake, stray dog intake, aggressive dog calls, and deceased animal pick-up calls compared to previous years. Taken as a whole, there are community indicators that suggest fewer stray and roaming pets are being observed citywide. Key findings from the analysis include:

The analysis also found decreases in shelter intake, stray dog intake, aggressive dog calls, and deceased animal pick-up calls compared to previous years. Taken as a whole, there are community indicators that suggest fewer stray and roaming pets are being observed citywide. Key findings from the analysis include:

• A 7.7% decrease in overall shelter intake compared to FY 2025.
• An 11.3% decrease in overall dog intake.
• A 9.3% decrease in roaming dog calls for service compared to FY 2025.
• A 14.1% decrease in roaming dog intake compared to FY 2025.
• An 18.1% decrease in aggressive dog calls compared to FY 2025.
• A 3% decrease in deceased dog pick-up calls compared to FY 2025.
• A 93.6% critical call response rate through April, compared to 82.4% in FY 2025. 

The analysis notes the FY26 adjustment to the way shelter intake is calculated to align with emerging industry practice. Previously, animals supported through caretaker programs were counted in intake totals even if they never physically entered the shelter. Under the updated methodology, only animals physically brought to the SAACS campus are included in shelter intake figures.                      

While the analysis has shown positive movement in several key shelter performance metrics, San Antonio continues to face challenges connected to roaming dogs and residents are urged to ensure their pets are properly socialized and supervised in the interest of public safety. Local pet guardians can learn about all the resources SAACS offers, including free spay neuter and vaccination clinics at SAACS.net.