Houston PetSet, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to ending Houston's homeless animal crisis, held The State of Animal Welfare Address on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The event featured special remarks from City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Co-Presidents Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust of Houston PetSet provided an overview of the current state of animal welfare in Houston and outlined the necessary actions to address the animal homelessness crisis. Mayor Whitmire discussed his administration's plans to make Houston a leader in the animal welfare community by allocating resources and establishing consistent standards for all Houston-area animal shelters. The event was hosted by Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankorious and attended by City Council Members Sallie Alcorn and Mario Castillo, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, and representatives from the Houston Police Department. Following the remarks, the floor was opened to questions from the press and members of the animal welfare community.

The consensus among attendees was that BARC, Houston's animal shelter, requires more support and funding to effectively address the animal welfare crisis. Collaboration between city and county jurisdictions was identified as a key factor in solving the issue. Mayor Whitmire expressed his commitment to working closely with City Council and Harris County Commissioners to pool resources and avoid duplicating efforts. Law enforcement officials pledged to prioritize animal welfare in the interest of public safety and ensure equitable access to safety resources across all Houston communities.

Tena Lundquist Faust, co-president of Houston PetSet, expressed gratitude for Mayor Whitmire's commitment to ending the crisis and highlighted his long history of prioritizing animal welfare. Mayor Whitmire acknowledged the severity of the crisis and emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing the problem. He commended the collaboration among stakeholders at the event and emphasized the need for increased funding for animal welfare in Houston.

Tama Lundquist, co-president of Houston PetSet, expressed hope for the future, citing the Mayor's commitment to solving the crisis, the dedication of shelter directors, and the support of the community. She emphasized the importance of continued advocacy for change until the crisis is resolved.

The conference was live-streamed to the public. Watch here: www.youtube.com/@houstonpetset