By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel Animal Advisory Board discussed shelter operations, euthanasia policies, volunteer programs, flea and tick concerns and the city’s growing feral cat population during its May 21 meeting at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center.
Officials announced staffing changes at the Port Isabel Animal Shelter, including the addition of Elias Sanchez, who previously worked alongside Oscar del Abra before later working in veterinary and shelter operations in Weslaco, Harlingen and Port Isabel.
Sanchez recommended a cloud-based software system based on his experience using it at other facilities. According to Sanchez, the system would improve intake tracking, vaccinations, microchip records, adoptions and rescue coordination.
“It does everything from intake all the way through to adoption,” Sanchez said. “It tracks absolutely everything.”
Oscar del Abra, shelter operations supervisor and member of the Animal Advisory Board, said the proposal would still need Port Isabel City Commission approval before implementation.
Officials also stated the shelter recently passed both its required annual shelter inspection and annual quarantine inspection.
Residents and foster families raised concerns about flea and tick infestations. Shelter staff said animals are treated upon intake, while some attendees argued ticks may be developing resistance to commonly used chemicals. During the discussion, Patricia McGrath suggested exploring homeopathic or alternative remedies in addition to traditional chemical treatments.
Dr. Kellogg, the veterinarian member required by state law to serve on the board, discussed vaccination timing and disease prevention protocols, explaining that animals are vaccinated as soon as age requirements allow after intake. During the meeting, Kellogg also indicated he is present at the shelter approximately one day per week in his veterinary oversight role.
Questions were also raised about euthanasia policies. Officials repeatedly described the facility as a “no expiration” shelter rather than a traditional “no-kill” shelter.
“We don’t kill animals just to make room,” John Sandoval, assistant city manager and member of the Animal Advisory Board, said during the meeting.
Officials said euthanasia is generally limited to animals suffering injuries, serious illness or dangerous aggression. Shelter officials also said euthanasia statistics would be provided at a future meeting.
The board additionally discussed the suspension of the shelter’s volunteer program. Officials said volunteers had been removed due to liability concerns after bites and scratches allegedly went unreported, triggering quarantine complications for animals. Board member Karla Schurin suggested rebuilding the program with stronger oversight and formal training requirements.
“I think training volunteers is really important,” Schurin said.
Sandoval said the city was “not completely closing the door” on volunteers and agreed a structured program could eventually return if properly implemented.
Discussion also focused on the city’s growing feral cat population and whether trap-neuter-release programs should return. Jared Hockema, Port Isabel city manager, said the city’s goal was adoption and responsible ownership rather than releasing cats back into the community.
“I think our goal would be to try to eliminate cats being strays, just like dogs being strays,” Hockema said. “We want cats to get adopted and be in homes.”
Residents and board members debated whether trap-neuter-release programs help reduce feral cat populations, with some arguing the programs had worked successfully in other cities. Patricia McGrath raised a grant opportunity related to feral cat management. Sandoval said one key obstacle was the veterinary paperwork burden required to administer such a program.
“That is the most difficult thing, is finding a veterinarian, especially a private veterinarian, to do that on the back end for us without paying an extra cost for all that,” Sandoval said.
During the discussion, attendees also raised concerns that administrative and veterinary requirements tied to the grant could offset some of the potential financial savings.
Dr. Kellogg, who had weighed in on other topics during the meeting, did not comment during that portion of the discussion despite the conversation centering on the role a veterinarian would need to play in administering the grant program.
Officials also announced plans to begin opening the shelter on Saturdays for adoptions.
There will be a pet adoption event hosted by the Rotary Club of Port Isabel scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laguna Vista Library, where adoption fees will be waived and adopted animals will include vaccinations, spay/neuter services and microchipping on June 13.
No future date for the board’s next required meeting had been announced as of press time.
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