Setting a New Standard for Animal Care in Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Corpus Christi Animal Care Services (ACS) is taking concrete steps to improve animal well-being and enhance operational efficiency.

The Corpus Christi City Council has remained steadfast in its commitment to improving animal welfare services by approving over $2 million in investments for Animal Care Services beginning in fiscal year 2021 and authorizing a thorough assessment of the department in fiscal year 2023. 

When Peter Zanoni became City Manager in 2019, the City of Corpus Christi faced a series of major priorities that demanded immediate and strategic focus. At the time, the City concentrated efforts on strengthening public safety, investing in infrastructure and street repairs, water and wastewater infrastructure, enhancing quality of life amenities for working families, expanding economic development opportunities, and reshaping the Public Health District. These core initiatives were foundational to stabilizing and positioning Corpus Christi for long-term success.

While these critical needs were addressed, however, building a modern, full-service animal care system required deliberate, phased action and creating operational capacity that did not exist before 2019.

Historically, Animal Care Services was not designed as a comprehensive shelter operation. It originated as a division within the Public Health District, where it operated primarily as a short-term holding facility for animal control. In 2012, ACS was transferred to the Police Department, integrating animal control efforts within broader law enforcement services. In 2021, it was moved under the newly formed Neighborhood Services Department, a structure that limited its ability to evolve fully.

Recognizing the need for dedicated leadership, operational modernization, and a more strategic focus, in June 2023, the City of Corpus Christi, under Peter Zanoni, established Animal Care Services as a stand-alone department. This pivotal step enabled the City to begin building the leadership team, staffing structure, and service framework needed to create a modern, full-service animal welfare department. A Director and Assistant Director were hired to lead daily operations and drive transformational change.

At the time of this transition, the state of ACS reflected both opportunities and challenges. The department operates with 57 budgeted full-time positions, including officers, kennel technicians, veterinary staff, and administrative personnel, but faces staffing gaps. The shelter facility on Holly Road, built in 2004, houses 118 dog kennels and 39 cat kennels, operates seven days a week to provide intake, care, field operations, and adoptions. However, the aging facility, growing animal population, staffing shortages, and the need for updated policies all signaled that a more structured, forward-looking plan was essential.

To achieve this, the City engaged Citygate Associates, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in local government and animal care services. Citygate was tasked with conducting a complete operational assessment, benchmarking ACS against national best practices, and identifying strategies for sustainable improvement.

Citygate’s evaluation produced a detailed, actionable roadmap, resulting in 170 targeted recommendations aimed at modernizing ACS across five key areas:

•       Policy – Updating standard operating procedures and aligning practices with industry standards

•       Operations – Streamlining animal intake, care, and live release strategies

•       Staffing – Expanding and optimizing the workforce to meet service demands

•       Facilities – Upgrading shelter capacity, public access, and animal care spaces

•       Culture – Enhancing internal communication, professional development, and workplace environment

Already, progress is underway. Of the 170 recommendations from Citygate, 12 have been completed, with 53 actively in progress, for a total of 65 to be completed by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. The remaining 105 recommendations will be addressed through the City’s five-year phased implementation plan, ensuring deliberate, sustainable improvement over time.

Twenty-eight of those recommendations require formal City Council consideration, primarily related to budget allocations, including necessary staffing expansions and facility enhancements to support operations.

“This is a strategic investment in the future of Animal Care Services,” said City Manager Peter Zanoni. “We are putting the structure, leadership, and operational framework in place to deliver lasting improvements for Corpus Christi.”

With these foundational steps in motion, the City of Corpus Christi is committed to building an Animal Care Services department that operates at the highest efficiency, compassion, and professionalism standards. Every element—from staffing to facilities, from policies to daily operations—is being aligned to national best practices and the community's evolving needs.

As the five-year phased implementation plan advances, ACS will continue to deliver measurable progress, ensuring that animal welfare remains a priority and a cornerstone of community wellbeing. However, achieving this vision requires more than internal reform. It depends on the partnership of Corpus Christi residents. Responsible pet ownership—spaying and neutering pets, microchipping and licensing, adopting animals from shelters, reporting strays responsibly, and supporting volunteer and foster programs—is critical to sustaining a humane and effective system.

The City of Corpus Christi invites every resident to participate in this transformation. Through shared responsibility and strategic action, Corpus Christi is building a future where animal care services reflect the best of what a strong, compassionate community can achieve.

For more information, media representatives can contact Robert Gonzales, Public Information Manager, at 361-826-3233 or robertg8@cctexas.com.