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FOSTERING & ADOPTION

How it works in Guadalupe County NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN How GCSO is making a difference for the animals of Seguin

There has not been a single day in my entire life where I have not had an animal companion. The idea of not having a pet is a completely foreign concept to me, and my animals are family. I know not everyone is like this. There are a few of you out there reading this who probably don’t let your dogs in the bed, or your cats in your bedroom – we are not the same.

Animals have always made sense to me. Whether that was my pet cats/dogs, my horse, or my show animals for 4-H, I find them easier than people. But owning them, takes a lot more work than some may realize. Vet bills can become costly, and keeping up with litter boxes is a CHORE, but for animal-people, we do it all out of love.

This issue of Seguin Today aims to share some of that love with our readers, while informing you about the many programs within Guadalupe County that exist to help both beloved pets and the feral population within our area.

So grab your best friend, find a cozy spot, and get ready to read all about our furry friends that become our world.

Lizz Daniels Creative Director

COVERSHOT

Photo by Lizz Daniels

GENERAL MANAGER

Darren Dunn

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lizz Daniels

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Nick Spence

WRITERS

Cindy Aguirre-Herrera

Chris Austin

Lizz Daniels

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Laurie Ann Heideke

Linda Duncan

Jarred Kindles

OFFICE MANAGER

Priscilda Rodriguez

New Sheriff in Town

How GCSO is making a difference for the animals of Guadalupe County

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera with Courtesy Photos

There’s a new sheriff in town and he’s not just for us humans. In fact, the current operation of the Guadalupe County Animal Control is under review following the new leadership of Sheriff Joshua Ray who took over the office in January. Ray says this month, he hopes to review the results of an evaluation which includes policies, procedures and personnel at the animal facility.

“I think if you historically look at how our shelter was set up, I think it was set up more of an impound facility – like there were stray dogs,” Ray said. “It became a nuisance and a problem in the county so there had to be some type of action. So, the shelter was set up and I think some of the public’s perception of what an animal shelter is – is different than from what an animal impound is and even though, it’s called an animal shelter, it functions more as an impound and the expectation of what an animal shelter is -- is what is commonly observed in some of these other jurisdictions where they provide more services than we do at the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office. We’ve grown. Public expectations have changed so it is well overdue and it’s just time that we reassess.”

Leading the charge of the evaluation process is Lt. Zach McBride. McBride supervises the animal shelter and animal control which sits just north of the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.

Again, Ray states that McBride is generating that review so that his office can see where it needs to improve.

“I just want to make sure that we are meeting my constituents’ concerns and desires for what they think we should be providing as far as services,” he said. “Obviously, I come from a law enforcement background. So, I can sit here all day and tell you how to pursue sexual predators and murderers and thieves and those kinds of things. So, I had to learn a lot when it came to the animal shelter and animal control but it’s under my purview and if I think we can improve the quality of service, especially being conservative and keeping the tax dollars in mind, then I think it’s our obligation to do that especially, if that’s the public’s expectation.”

Of course, like any service being provided, there are traditionally budgetary concerns – concerns that Ray says he is willing to risk assessing so they can move forward.

Much of the work done in-house to find homes for the animals, however, is provided strictly by volunteers. Just last month in March, Ray awarded his inaugural Sheriff’s Award to the Friends of Dogs at Guadalupe County Animal Control. He says the award recognizes an outside entity for its exceptional accomplishments in supporting the local law enforcement office. He says for years, the group has devoted thousands of volunteer hours to the caring and rehoming of the many dogs that have found their way to the shelter.

“They’ve been doing it for years and one thing I’ve recognized early on was yes, we do have a high rate of adoption and yes, we are a technically a no kill-shelter but that’s in large part because of the volunteer effort that has been put in,” Ray said. “They are the ones that are putting the work in on getting those dogs rehomed and coming in and caring for them and honestly, that’s volunteer. That’s free to the county. Taxpayer dollars are not being used on it and it’s hard on them. They commit a lot of time and effort to it, so I think it’s important that again, we recognize them and that they know they are being recognized for the commitment that they are making. I’ve heard several community concerns about our animal shelter and the services that we provide, and I intend to update it and upgrade it as much as possible.”

Those upgrades, again, will have to wait until that evaluation of the shelter is completed and those plans can be further discussed with members of the Guadalupe County Commissioners’ Court.

Those wishing to squeeze one more family member into their home is encouraged to check out the Friends of Dogs at Guadalupe County Animal Control Facebook page for their next adoption, foster or rescue event. The office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The facility is located at 3021 N. Guadalupe St. •

Return Trap &

Dealing with Seguin’s Feral Cat Population

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera with Courtesy Photo

Seguin and Guadalupe County are welcoming the newest non-profit committed to bringing down the sizes of those cat colonies found around town. And what better time than spring to give rise to the new TAGS non-profit group.

Founder Darlene Welborn says TAGS is the newest TNR group to operate in this community. TNR which means Trap-Neuter-Return is described as the humane method of managing feral cat populations by trapping, sterilizing (spaying or neutering) and then returning the cats to their original territories.

Welborn says although TAGS is now operating as a non-profit, the group’s efforts have been around for years. In fact, she says it was just over five years ago, when a walk around town called her into action.

“I’ve done dog rescues,” Welborn said. “I was really involved with the city – exercising dogs and getting to know them and then moving them into rescues. Then the pandemic hit, and I stepped away from volunteering at the city and we had one remaining dog. We started taking that dog on destination walks around Seguin and we began seeing cats and so we began feeding at TLU and then we found a couple at Starcke Park, and I thought, well, we have to do something else other than feed. It grew the passion to know that these cats do not have a lot of advocates, and I wanted to be their advocate for the community and to give them a healthy life as I can. It just grew on me and has now become a passion.”

As time continues, Welborn says she didn’t want to see her personal efforts forgotten and initiated the group’s non-profit status. She says the hope is that this new group will take off and can empower even more volunteers to go out and stabilize the cats in their area. She says her current mix of about 15 volunteers help to TNR as many feral cats as they possibly can – a population that Welborn says is easily in the thousands.

However, the TNR program, like many organizations, has its challenges.

“The biggest problem we have is finding sources that we can take the cats to be TNR’d,” Welborn said. “There is the PALS program in San

Marcos that is good. We have several of our people that take their feral cats there. There is also the New Braunfels Humane Society. It’s free to anyone in the surrounding counties even. It’s just that there is a waiting (list). We also have a vet in another town that we travel about 1.5 hours, where we take cats and then we pick them up and they probably have the most reduced rate but the biggest thing that we need is the manpower to get the cats to a place to spay and neuter them and then also to return them and that’s a process to do that because most of the vets want the animals there at 7 o’clock in the morning or 8 o’clock in the morning and that’s pretty high octane to do that.”

As a non-profit, the group can now accept funds to help support its efforts. Up until now, most folks paid with their own money.

“One thing I want to educate people about is that not one feral cat or stray cat had asked to be where they are, and they deserve respect and the best kind of life just like a stray dog and I just would like to educate the public to the attributes that the stray and feral cats have,” she said. “I ran into a man that works with the city, and he stopped me and said ‘I know what you are doing now.’ He said, ‘I see you down here feeding all the time, but I didn’t connect until I heard Shelley Lutz who is the head of the animal services here and she did a presentation,’ and he said ‘you are doing TNR here? And I said ‘yes.’ We have had no kittens in this section of the park for the last four and a half years and he said ‘yes, and we don’t have any rats or mice either.’ So, he saw the benefit of the strays and the ferals in his group. They are beneficial and yes, they kill birds but so do cars.”

At the end of the day, scientific studies show that TNR effectively addresses a community’s cat population. It is also listed as a benefit as it reduces shelter intake and killing – reduces calls to animal services all of which they “say save cats’ lives” as well as “taxpayer dollars.”

To learn more, join the TNR Around Guadalupe/Seguin (TAGS) Facebook page. •

Oliver is now almost a year old, and has bonded with his two cat siblings. He enjoys lounging on the desk, playing with his brother, Nameless & snuggling. Photos by Lizz Daniels.

A

Tale of Foster Care & Adoption

Ten months ago, I was coming home from a day out with my best friend and her daughter, when we discovered a litter of kittens on my front porch. An unfixed feral cat that roams my neighborhood had decided my bench was the perfect spot to have her babies, and I was not happy.

Don’t get me wrong — I love cats, but I did not need (or want) a feral cat colony at my house.

Then things got trickier. I noticed one of the kittens had been pushed away from the rest of the litter. If you don’t know much about animals, this is not usually a good sign. It can mean a few things: maybe it’s sick, maybe it doesn’t know how to latch, or maybe it’s just temporary, and will get better. You must wait and see.

By the next day, the mother cat had moved all her kittens to some new location except one –– the runt I found on day one. I waited nearly eight hours for her to come back, and when it was clear the baby was abandoned, I ran to the store, got formula, and decided I was going to rescue the abandoned orange baby.

I raised animals growing up and was active in 4-H. I’ve helped bottle-feed countless goats, sheep, horses, cows, and puppies, but none of them were ever my responsibility –– they usually belonged to friends. But I know how to make a bottle, and once we did that, the problem immediately became clear –– the newborn couldn’t latch.

Story by Lizz Daniels

Photos by Lizz Daniels & Jarred Kindles

Over the weekend, I fed him every two hours, and when Monday morning came around, I called the Comal County Humane Society to ask for help. I didn’t really want to keep him (spoiler alert, I did), but as it turned out, they didn’t have any foster parents who could bottle feed which meant if I didn’t take care of the kitten, he was going to die. Within an hour, my partner and I were at the Humane Society filling out the paperwork to be the kitten’s official foster family.

The amazing team at the Humane Society explained that as the foster parent, they cover all the costs associated with his early care. We didn’t have to pay for formula, litter, wet food, vaccines, or his neutering. And at the end of it all, we only had to pay for the adoption fee.

Every two weeks, we’d take him in to get his weight and a general wellness checkup. He grew slowly at first, and it felt like it took forever to get him to the proper weight for his vaccines, but after that, he blossomed.

We named him Oliver –– like Oliver & Company, the Disney film based on Oliver Twist about an orange cat that was taken in by dogs. Within a few months, he was ready to be neutered and, on that day, he officially became ours and literally scrambled into my arms when the veterinarian assistants brought him out at pickup time.

Since taking in Oliver, I’ve appreciated the experience I’ve had fostering

him and learning about the process firsthand. For months, that kitten went everywhere with me –– to work and even to KWED’s Freedom Fiesta. That experience fostering and eventually adopting, made me wonder if Guadalupe County offers anything similar for people who end up in situations like I did.

For this story, I reached out to the Guadalupe County Humane Society as well as Seguin Animal Services with questions about their programs and what they do for the community.

When I spoke to the Guadalupe Humane Society, I learned that their program is a lot like the one I went through in New Braunfels. Foster parents are desperately needed, not just for bottle babies, but for older pets as well. Foster parents become surrogate pet-parents offering shelter animals the opportunity to live with a family while awaiting their forever home.

While the Guadalupe County Humane Society serves the county as a 501c3 non-profit organization, Seguin Animal Services (SAS) offers similar options within the city limits.

SAS plays an integral role in the life of animals within the community providing services including animal control, sheltering stray and abandoned animals as well as offering adoption and fostering programs. They also manage livestock permits and work to address issues such as animal cruelty and overpopulation.

The Guadalupe County Humane Society is a 501c3 organization serving the county. Photos by Jarred Kindles.

Shelter manager Shelley Lutz provided additional insight.

“Seguin residents should know that we are here as a resource for the community,” Lutz said. “Whether it’s helping reunite lost pets with their families, offering adoption opportunities for animals in need, or addressing public safety concerns, our work is rooted in compassion and service. We encourage residents to reach out for assistance, whether they need help managing a pet or have questions about animal laws and ordinances in the city. Seguin Animal Services operates as a municipal shelter, which means we are funded and managed by the city to serve the needs of the community. Our primary focus includes public safety and addressing city ordinances related to animals, in addition to promoting adoptions. Unlike many humane societies, which are privately funded nonprofits, we are tasked with taking in all animals within city limits, including stray, abandoned, and sometimes aggressive animals. Despite these challenges, we work tirelessly to give every animal the best care possible.”

Lutz went on to share with me that the biggest concern facing the animals in SAS’ care is overpopulation and abandoned animals.

“The biggest concern we face today is overpopulation, particularly with stray and abandoned animals,” she said. “This not only places a strain on our resources but also impacts the quality of life for these animals. Additionally, ensuring animals receive proper medical care and finding homes for long-term residents remain challenges. That’s why programs

like adoption, fostering, and TNR are so critical—they help us manage these issues and provide better outcomes for the animals in our care.

With so many animals without homes, SAS works hard to get animals fostered or adopted, but this is difficult to manage given the overpopulation issues. That’s why adopters and foster parents are so important.

“Our adoption process starts with a simple application, which helps us ensure that the animal and adopter are a good match,” Lutz said. “Once approved, adopters are given resources and guidance to help them integrate their new pet into their home. Additionally, we offer a unique program called “Dogs Day Out,” where individuals can take one of our adoptable dogs on an outing for the day. This not only provides the dog with enrichment and exposure but also gives potential adopters a chance to bond with the animal in a relaxed, real-world setting.”

As Oliver is getting ready for his first birthday, I am reminded often of the hours we spent bottle feeding and the endless days of tiny meows that filled my home. Nowadays, he’s bonded with my other two cats and is a general menace, but much like the animals at both the Humane Society and SAS, his perfect home was waiting. He just had to find the right person.

For more information on how you can adopt, foster or take a pup out for a day, visit gchshumane.com orseguintexas.gov/158/Animal-Services •

Seguin Animal Services has many dogs up for adoption with some having been at the shelter for hundreds of days. Photos by Jarred Kindles.

To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com Featured Events

After Hour Networking

The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After-Hours Networking event from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, at the Seguin Chamber Office, located at 116 N. Camp St., Seguin, TX 78155. Sponsored by the Mid-Texas Symphony, this event provides an opportunity for professionals to connect and engage with the local business community. Chamber members are reminded to bring their membership cards for entry.

April 25

“PRISM 2025: American Visions”

Join Texas Lutheran University Bands for PRISM 2025: American Visions on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Jackson Auditorium. This concert will feature a wide variety of selections performed by both large and small ensembles from the TLU School of Music. Admission is free and open to the public. Don’t miss this exciting musical experience!

April 27

Mid-Texas Symphony

The Mid-Texas Symphony, with conductor, Akiko Fujimoto, will present Ode to Joy, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at Jackson Auditorium at Texas Lutheran University. To purchase tickets, visit www.mtsymphony.org or call the box office 830-463-5353 For questions, email boxoffice@mtsymphony.org.

May 2-3

Cinco de Mayo

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 682 is hosting the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Pachanga on May 2-3, 2025, in Seguin’s Central Park. The festival runs from 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon to midnight on Saturday, celebrating Seguin’s connection to the 1862 Battle of Puebla

May 3

Wings & Wheels Fly-In at the Pioneer Flight Museum

The Pioneer Flight Museum is hosting the Wings & Wheels Fly-In from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 3, 2025, at 190 Pershing Ln, Kingsbury, TX. This museum fun day will feature a 1909 Blériot XI, along with antique, vintage, and classic aircraft and automobiles, food trucks, vendors, and living history displays. This spring fundraising event welcomes donations at the gate. For more information, visit PioneerFlightMuseum.org or call 830-639-4162.

May 7

Business Resource Fair

The Seguin Chamber of Commerce, Main Street & CVB, and Seguin Economic Development Corporation are hosting Seguin’s Small Business Resource Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 7, 2025, at the Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St. This free event provides valuable insights and resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. A luncheon hosted by the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., with tickets available for $20.

6 benefits of spaying and neutering

Each year millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters because of overpopulation. Just a few years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters were emptied out as pet adoptions reached alltime highs. Now that offices have reopened and people have returned to work and other activities, pets increasingly are being surrendered to shelters again, once more leading to overtaxed shelters and other facilities.

Overburdened shelters also are made worse by litters of animals born to unsterilized parents. The American Veterinary Medical Association says spaying and neutering are important tools for preventing unplanned or unwanted litters, and reducing pet overpopulation. Most experts agree there is little benefit to leaving pets’ reproductive systems intact. Even family pets can get loose and mate unintentionally. The following are six notable benefits to spaying or neutering a pet.

1. Prevent the conception and birth of unwanted animals.

2. The ASPCA says spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of

breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying a pet before the first heat offers the best measure of protection.

3. Neutering male animals prevents testicular cancer if done before six months of age.

4. Neutered animals are less likely to roam

and become nuisances. Female cats can go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. While in heat they will yowl and urinate frequently. Males will be on the prowl for females and can get into fights. Spaying and neutering reduces these tendencies.

5. Neutering and spaying is a lot less costly than having and caring for a litter. It also prevents medical treatment from being needed in the event a pet gets into a fight over mating.

6. Although the surgery will reduce some undesirable behaviors, it is not a magic fix for all behavioral problems, including bad habits.

The ASPCA says the traditional age to sterilize dogs is between six and nine months. Healthy puppies as young as eight weeks can undergo a spaying or neutering surgery. For cats, it is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old. To avoid the start of urine spraying, neuter or spay a cat before the animal reaches five months of age.

Spaying and neutering is important for animal health and helps to reduce pet overpopulation.

Uptown Collar brings a fullservice luxurious experience for dogs in the Seguin area

Story by Darren Dunn

Anew pet spa and resort is now open in Seguin, and it is raising the bar when it comes to the services offered for local dogs. Pet owners looking for more ways to pamper their pups might want to head over to the Uptown Collar, located in the 1100 block of North Camp Street next door to ZDT’s Amusement Park.

Owner Tasha Montez says their goal was to offer a unique experience for dog owners, who want to make sure that their pets get not only high-quality services, but also services that previously were unavailable here in Seguin. It’s a space where dogs thrive in a safe and loving environment.

“I wanted to create something that is unique and very boutiquey. Something that is safe, that is clean, (and) that is fun. I think we’ve been able to do that. We have a pretty good day play area where dogs can come in for the day, have fun with their buddies, then go home, rest, do their work when they go home and just enjoy (themselves). Then for overnights -- when people are either on business or spring break or

travel stuff like that, (I want) them to be able to just leave their pets with us (and) they know that they’re safe and they’re loved. When they come back, they’re going to be ready to do their work as they always do -- loving their families,” said Montez.

Montez says another unique service offered at Uptown Collar is a chance for individuals to utilize their state-of-the-art bath area, which offers you a chance to give your dog an upscale spa treatment.

“Our Urban Bath and Blowout Bar is actually the only one in Seguin. It is incredibly helpful when you have larger dogs. So, bathing your pups in the bathtub is not always the best orthopedic focus on your back, your hips and all of that. So, I wanted to create something because I have the big guy, Walter, and I wanted to create something where you can come bath them and make it safe for you. We have the products, we have the blow dryers, and we have the towels. You can bathe your pup well and go home. We’ll take care of the rest,” said Montez.

Montez says they also have an expanding retail section, where you can pick up collars and other special items that are unique to their pet pampering business.

Montez, who spent years in the healthcare field, says she wanted to try something different, and she wanted to create something that was special for Seguin. She says they offer unique quality experiences for these important members of our families. She says that’s the essence of what they do at Uptown Collar.

“I want them to think quality. I want them to think that it feels safe, and that those are some individuals that I’m comfortable leaving my pup with. I would like for it to be a unique boutique experience, because I think that’s something that our pups deserve. It’s not just overnight stays or day plays. We’re actually starting to look at different services. So, we will probably be working with some of our non-profits doing puppy yoga on Saturdays. My aunt is a retired librarian, and we might do a Saturday book reading, because Walter is actually a certified therapy dog. So, I know the kids absolutely would love coming with the pups. So, being able to create something like that, that is just sort of a social gathering area, because our pets are essential to our lives, and so it’s nice to be able to have a place where we can join them,” said Montez.

Montez says folks have to come out and see the Day Play area, Boutique Suites, the Urban Bath & Blow Out Bar, and the other specialized spaces that they have set up for your pups. She says people should stop by and check it out and discover the warm, inclusive and luxurious amenities offered at Uptown Collar.

Montez says they’re not just expanding the services that are available to pet owners in the area, but they are also building a space where people can come and get to know other people who also care deeply about their pets. It’s one of the reasons why Uptown Collar hosted several non-profit pet service organizations and other pet vendors, in a special event that they held recently. She says it was an attempt to shine a spotlight on some of the other services and organizations that are available here in the Seguin area.

Stay tuned as the Seguin Daily News shares more on some of those organizations during part two of this story. That story will be featured later this week. •