3 Austin Animal Shelters You Should Know

Guest article by Emily Burns

When it comes to animals, Austinites are known for compassion and care for their furry friends. The city of Austin has been a no-kill city for the past four years, and during that time has become the largest no-kill city in the country.

Whether you’re looking for your next best friend or are just an animal lover wanting to volunteer your time, Austin has some of the best animal shelters in Texas!

#1 Austin Pets Alive!

Animals for Adoption: Dogs and cats

Austin Pets Alive! is one of the most well known animal shelters in the ATX and has saved more than 30,000 cats and dogs from euthanasia since opening in 2008. They’ve implemented several innovative programs targeted towards aiding animals in need, including Parvo Puppy ICU, Neonatal Kitten Nursery, FeLV Sanctuary and PASS, to name a few.

Each month, the shelter features a special cat and dog up for adoption. This month’s picks are a sweet 4 year old Retriever/Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Diego along with a friendly black cat named Kiki.

The shelter also hosts many events to support their furry clientele. Some top picks for the month of May are the Wolfpack Sunday Benefit Concert on the 17th and the Fiat of Austin Pet Driven event on the 23rd. On the 27th, the shelter will host a special Red River Flats Adoption Day where they will wave half of all adoption fees. To stay up to date on upcoming events, visit the Austin Pets Alive! online calendar.

Austin Pets Alive! offers many ways to get involved including volunteering and animal fostering.

1156 West Cesar Chavez – Website

#2 Austin Humane Society

Animals for Adoption: Dogs and cats

Austin Humane Society is the largest no-kill, non-profit pet adoption center in Austin and is dedicated to saving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs, educating the community about responsible pet ownership and reducing pet over-population. The shelter has been in operation since 1952 and in the last year alone has saved over 11,000 animals.

Austin Humane Society is well known for their programs and events benefitting the community. Throughout the summer they offer a special Summer Kids Series when children have the opportunity to meet Austin Humane Society veterinarians and step inside a real animal shelter clinic.

The shelter currently has over 700 volunteers, but is always looking for more help and donations. Anyone looking to get involved can find more information about Austin Humane Society and the good they’re doing on their website.

124 W Anderson Lane – Website

#3 Austin Animal Center

Animals for Adoption: Dogs and cats

Austin Animal Center runs the largest no-kill animal shelter in the United States and provides shelter to over 18,000 animals each year. It’s an open-intake facility where lost and surrendered animals from all of Travis County in need of shelter are accepted regardless of age, health, species or breed. Their goal is to place all adoptable animals into forever homes.

Each week the shelter features a different pet looking for a home. Austin Animal Center’s “Pet of the Week” this week is an adorable 2 year old German Shepherd mix named Bock.

This month, they’re hosting a free Rabies vaccination clinic on the 16th at Richard Moya Park. All cats and dogs are welcome.

For more information about Bock and the Austin Animal Center, visit the AAC website.

7201 Levander Loop Bldg A – Website

Of the many things Austin can pride itself on, we can be extremely proud of the strides we’ve made in protecting our furry friends across Texas. Check out any of these shelters to do your part or find your next best friend today.

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

Have you adopted a pet or volunteered for any of these Austin animal shelters?

 

Emily Burns is a student at Texas State University graduating in May with a dual BA in Electronic Media and Spanish and a psych minor. She’s passionate about travel, music, media, linguistics and new experiences! Her favorite way to spend her weekends is seeing live music and taking her dog Willow to parks around Austin.

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