The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is recognizing National Adopt a Cat Month in June. AAMW is offering reduced adoption fees on cats and kittens throughout the month in an effort to help more animals find homes during the height of kitten season. Throughout June, adoption fees will be reduced by $10, bringing the total cost to just $15 for adult cats and $20 for kittens under four months old. Every adopted cat or kitten will go home spayed or neutered, microchipped and age-appropriately vaccinated at no additional cost — helping adopters start their summer with a healthy, happy new companion while avoiding the expense of initial veterinary care. “Our cat rooms are currently full as kitten season continues to bring an increase in cats and kittens entering the shelter,” said AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis. “National Adopt a Cat Month gives families the chance to welcome a new furry friend while supporting lifesaving efforts for cats still waiting for homes.” Kitten season, which typically occurs during warmer months, leads to a significant increase in stray and unwanted litters entering shelters. In recognition of National Adopt a Cat Month, AAMW is also encouraging community members to spay and neuter pets to help reduce pet overpopulation and prevent unwanted litters. For more information, contact AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis at (806) 673-7821 or by email at kali.dennis@amarillo.gov.

Amarillo City Council unanimously approved Tuesday an amendment to a multimillion-dollar contract that will more than triple the pump/drainage capacity of Playa 6, also known as Lawrence Lake. The council-approved guaranteed maximum price for Lawrence Lake Pump Station and Force Main is $14,255,589. The historic project is funded through 2023 drainage bond funds and will increase the daily drainage/pump capacity of Lawrence Lake from 3-4 million gallons a day to 15 million gallons.  “This project is the equivalent of putting a five-story building in the ground,” said City of Amarillo Managing Director of Capital Projects Jerry Danforth. “This is something you might see in the Houston market.” The project includes installation of a 30-inch force main from Lawrence Lake to Bell Street. It includes a deep foundation wall system made of overlapping drilled concrete piles, commonly used for deep wet wells and underground utility structures.  Depending on weather conditions, the project will begin in 30-40 days and will take a year to complete. To see the related presentation to council (including pictures of similar projects), go to Item 7.2 on the city council video agenda: https://amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/389083 For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Cleanup/debris removal and temporary housing assistance is available for residents impacted by the recent fire at the City of Amarillo landfill. Impacted residents needing cleanup of their property or assistance with temporary housing can contact the 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline. Dial 211 from any phone. The 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline website is: www.uwamarillocanyon.org/2-1-1-texas-panhandleunited-way-helpline In addition, the Texas Panhandle Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is working on casework for impacted residents and have numerous work orders for clean-out work to clean damaged residences and separate debris for removal. (Please see the attached FEMA Debris Management Guide for debris pickup requirements). VOAD can be contacted via the 211 helpline. The VOAD website is: https://txpanhandlevoad.org/ Landfill fees for impacted residents hauling debris to the landfill have been waived as of May 26. The fee waiver is exclusively for impacted property owners conducting their own debris removal. Property owners are asked to please provide proof of residence to the gate attendant. The Texas Panhandle VOAD also has short-term housing available with a partnership through Airbnb.org. Requests can be made via the 211 Helpline and must be made by June 4. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.

Animal Management & Welfare (AMW) is excited to announce a special Graduation Adoption Event taking place May 21-23. The event is designed to help some of the shelter’s longest-resident animals “graduate” from shelter life into loving forever homes. During the three-day event, all animals that have been in the shelter’s care for 50 days or more will be available for adoption at 50% off standard adoption fees. Currently, 22 long-stay animals are waiting for a second chance, and this initiative aims to spotlight them and connect them with families ready to welcome a new pet. Adding to the fun, the shelter is offering “Diploma Discounts” for students of all ages. Community members are encouraged to bring a recent report card or diploma, with additional adoption fee discounts based on academic performance. Students with straight A’s can receive up to an additional $20 off their adoption fee. “Our long-stay animals have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to find a home,” said Kali Dennis, Outreach Manager at AMW. “We want to give them the recognition they deserve as they ‘graduate’ into the next chapter of their lives.” With the arrival of summer, now is an ideal time to adopt. Families often have more flexibility in their schedules, allowing for a smoother transition and more time to bond with a new pet. All adopted animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go home with their new families. The community is encouraged to attend, meet these deserving animals and help give them the fresh start they’ve been waiting for.