A stray pit bull in one of the Animal Control Facility's cages.

Animal Control Facility | San Antonio, Texas, USA-

For years San Antonio, Texas, has had one of the largest stray animal populations in the United States. The city has consistently had more animals passing through its Animal Care & Control Facility than any other comparably sized US metropolitan area. And more often than not, these unclaimed and un-adopted animals were euthanized - also at a rate that exceeds the rest of the country.

An Animal Control Officer displays his badge

San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Division blames a local public that is largely uneducated in responsible pet ownership as a major cause of the high number of strays. They also cite a lack of adequate funding and space to hold animals as causes of the high rate of euthanization.  Additionally, there are many pet owners who voluntarily give up their dogs or cats if they can no longer afford to take care of them, if they move, or if they simply grow tired of the pet. There are even many dogs that were trained to fight in illicit fighting rings that are turned over to the facility if they are no longer seen as valuable.

A dog resists being brought into the Animal Control Facility's kennel.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists charge that the division uses outdated methods and facilities, and needs to spend more money on education and promoting animal adoption. Activists also argue that the use of the gas chamber for euthanasia is inhumane.

An exhausted Animal Control Officer rests for a moment before the next group of animals arrives.

After a public outcry during the fall of 2004, the department began investigating new approaches to the situation, including the use of more volunteers to help with education.  In August 2006, a 5-Year plan was released that aims to ultimately make San Antonio a “no-kill” city by 2012. Priorities of the plan include educating the public on responsible pet ownership; reducing the overall number of strays; and increasing the department’s budget, among others. However - to this day - the number of strays and unwanted animals passing through the Animal Control Facility’s doors remains high, and pets are fairing especially badly during the current economic crisis.

One of the gas chambers where unclaimed animals are euthanized.

Euthanized cats are used by area laboratories for research.

An Animal Control Officer holds a photo depicting evidence from a local case of animal cruelty.

A dog is about to be operated on in one of San Antonio's animal clinics. The city hopes to decrease the number of stray animals by offering low cost spay and neuter services.

A woman looks through the Animal Control Facility for her lost dog.

One of the kennels at San Antonio's Animal Control Facility.

This story and other recent work can be seen at http://www.bearguerra.com/