The Animal Advisory Board is created as required by state law with appointments being made pursuant to membership requirements and qualifications. State law requires the board to meet at least three times a year. 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 control ordinances and make recommendations for revisions. 

On July 18, 2017 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2101, expanding the Animal Advisory Board membership and duties to assist with the Animal Shelter expansion project. The expanded duties include:

• Review policies, programs, and practices of the current animal shelter
• Review animal capacity calculations and animal population trends
• Review and recommend policies, programs, and practices for implementation in the new animal shelter
• Determine the shelter program needs versus wants and identify budget needs of each
• Recommend funding options for the programming of space
• Recommend a capital campaign

The Animal Advisory Board membership expanded to six additional members, consisting of city of Sugar Land, Greatwood, or New Territory residents. The expanded membership must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Volunteer at the City of Sugar Land Animal Shelter
• Adopted an animal from a shelter or rescue group
• Demonstrated interest in the welfare of animals
• History of involvement in local community organizations
• Career in an animal related industry (veterinary, boarding, grooming, pet sitting, etc.)
• Career in the medical, epidemiology, or zoonotic field
• Career or experience in wildlife management
• Work or volunteer for a shelter or rescue group

City Council appoints eleven members to the Board. Membership must include a licensed veterinarian, municipal official, animal shelter operator, animal rescue group representative, active animal services volunteer, and six residents of the city of Sugar Land, or the areas of Greatwood or New Territory (as outlined above); and a Mayoral appointment of a Chair with approval of the City Council.