Fact check: Does the city’s Animal Services prioritize community sheltering over shelter intakes?

The city of El Paso’s Animal Services encourages residents to temporarily foster found pets instead of bringing them to the shelter, according to the shelter’s operational manual.

The department promotes community-based sheltering for healthy, non-aggressive animals to increase reunification chances and reduce shelter intake, according to its  website. Residents who bring in untipped stray cats are encouraged to return them through the Community Cats program. People are asked to foster found kittens until they’re 8 weeks old.

For owner surrenders, Animal Services requires a counseling session and a 30-day rehoming attempt before accepting the animal. The manual also states the shelter “helps members of the public keep their pets.”

Sick, injured, or aggressive animals are exceptions, and are accepted immediately to receive veterinary care. The manual states that injured or sick animals will be impounded immediately to receive care.

On Aug. 31, 2025, just over 900 dogs and cats were in city shelters, while 2,440 were being fostered.