Animal Advisory Board

Advisory Board Meetings

State law requires that the Animal Advisory Board (AAB) meet at least three (3) times a year, however, the board typically meets every other month on the second Friday of the month.

Meetings are open to the public and provide a public comment period at the beginning of each meeting. Citizens are encouraged to attend and address the Animal Advisory Board with any concerns. Public Comment must directly relate to items on that meeting's agenda.

The purpose of the board is to review and recommend procedures for the care and maintenance of animal shelter facilities and impounded animals to insure compliance with state law; and to periodically review the city animal ordinances and make recommendations for revisions. 

The meeting agendas are posted on the city website at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Meet Sugar Land Animal Advisory Board Chair Barbara Willy

Board Membership

The creation of the Animal Advisory board is directed by state law and was expanded in 2017 to 11 members. Appointments to the board are made by City Council based on membership requirements and qualifications as required by state law and City Ordinance. 

All members are selected through an application process and must be a resident of the City of Sugar Land. The membership is to include:

  • A licensed Veterinarian
  • A representative from an animal welfare organization
  • A citizen of the city that actively volunteers at the animal shelter
  • A person whose duties include daily operation of an animal shelter
  • A municipal official

Board Duties

As designated in the Code of Ordinances, the board responsibilities are shown below.

  1. Review and recommend procedures for the care and maintenance of animal shelter facilities and impounded animals to insure compliance with state law;
  2. Periodically review the city's animal control ordinances and make recommendations for revisions thereof;
  3. Review the city's animal control policies, programs, and practices of the current animal shelter;
  4. Review animal capacity calculations and animal population trends;
  5. Review and recommend policies, programs and practices for implementation in a new animal shelter;
  6. Determine the city's animal shelter program needs versus wants and identify budget needs of each;
  7. Recommend funding options for the programming of space; and
  8. Recommend a capital campaign.