Amarillo ends animal depository to improve health and welfare

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) will permanently close the shelter’s deceased animal depository box, ending a long-running practice city leaders say no longer meets modern health and safety standards.

The change, endorsed by the AAMW Advisory Board and included in the department’s long-term strategic plan, follows a review of best practices in other Texas cities.

“Closing the depository allows us to focus more fully on protecting living animals while reducing unnecessary health and safety risks for staff and the public,” AAMW Director Victoria Medley said. “This decision brings Amarillo into alignment with best practices followed by other municipalities and ensures we are operating under the highest standards of care.”

Medley acknowledged the emotion