SAN ANTONIO -- In 2006, nearly 34,000 animals were put to death in San Antonio at the hands of city workers.

After an outcry over the carnage, the city embarked on a six-year campaign to have a no-kill shelter.

It is now at the midway point of that campaign and Animal Care Services still is not safe for most dogs and cats.

They come in wagging tails, but often do not leave alive.

"Oh I don't think we're failing, I just think it's a huge job," said ACS Director Gary Hendel.

Hendel knows that three years ago nearly 34,000 animals were euthanized.

That figure dropped to 32,000 in fiscal year 2007 and to 26,000 in 2008.

And this fiscal year, a mere 15,000 animals were euthanized, seemingly big progress.

But Hendel pointed out a glitch in those statistics in that ACS accepted fewer animals in 2009.

"When you limit your intake, which we have this year, it causes less euthanasia," said Hendel.

He said the save rate is what counts: the percentage of animals that come in alive and stay that way.

And he said that rate has been going up.

ACS figures showed a save rate of 13 percent of all animals taken in in the 2006 fiscal year. That figure rose to 14 percent in 2007, 24 percent in 2008 and 30 percent in fiscal year 2009.

Still, there are critics.

"A few billboards is not enough," said Craig Brestrup, former interim ACS Director.

Brestrup said there has not been enough community involvement or progress reports in the no-kill movement.

"We are halfway there," he said. "It started in '06, it's '09, so we should know something about where we stand."

Hendel said he realizes the six-year goal is falling short.

"We're halfway through the time period but we're not halfway there," said Hendel, referring to the goal of a 100 percent no-kill shelter by 2012.

Hendel said San Antonio's poor are part of the problem because they often do not understand spay and neuter and use their dog for security.

"And that dog breaks loose and impregnates the dog down the street and now we have 10 dogs because we had a litter of eight puppies," said Hendel.

Another problem: kindness is punished.

City ordinance says if you feed or harbor strays for more than 72 hours, they are legally your property and responsibility.

And then if you choose to turn them over to ACS, there would be a charge.

"To surrender the kittens, even if they would find adoptions, is like $40 per animal," said Sylvia Morgan, who stood outside ACS earlier this week wondering what to do about stray kittens she had kindly kept from starving.

The ordinance is now being revised. There is a renewed emphasis on adoption at ACS and Gary Hendel is preaching a solitary message.

"Spay-neuter, spay-neuter, spay-neuter," said Hendel.

The goal may be tough, but Hendel said the city is committed to getting there.

ACS has a big announcement Friday regarding the road to a no-kill shelter.

Officials will unveil a new program to get more dogs out of the shelter before they are killed.