Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Next Phase of St. John Redevelopment Project Launches

 

 

City invites residents to join the discussion and share feedback

The City of Austin Economic Development Department has entered the next phase of redevelopment for the 19-acre site located at the former Home Depot and Chrysler Dealership at 7211 & 7309 IH 35, known as the St. Johns Site. Grounded in two years of robust community engagement, the City and its development partner will continue to engage with the community to further refine the project programming and layout.
 
On July 29, 2021, Austin City Council authorized negotiation and execution of an exclusive negotiation agreement with Greystar Development Central, LLC and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA). The agreement was executed on April 13, 2022, and staff has been directed to return to City Council in November 2022, to share development terms for the site based on community input gathered over the next few months.

“The vision to redevelop the St. Johns Site represents years of engaging with residents and listening to the needs of the St. John Neighborhood,” explains Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Economic Development Department. “The City of Austin is honored to participate in building the partnership with Greystar and HACA to realize this vision that will bring much needed affordable housing, parks and open space, and neighborhood commercial to the St. John neighborhood and northeast Austin.”

Over the next few months, the St. John Redevelopment Team made up of the City of Austin, Greystar Development Central, LLC, and HACA, will host small group discussions with residents and community leaders.

St. John Community Resource Fair on September 10 at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center

A family-friendly, public event is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center located at 7500 Blessing Avenue, Austin Texas 78752. During the event, families can enjoy free food, music, activities for the kids, and will be given the opportunity to learn more about the project and to give feedback on potential site programming and layout. Exhibitors will also be available to connect residents with City-wide services and programs as part of our Resource Fair.
 
Opportunities for St. John Residents

 
To learn more about these opportunities and the redevelopment of the St. Johns Site, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/st-johns

Calendar Corner: August 30 – September 12, 2022

Mobility Authority Board of Directors

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Board of Directors is comprised of seven local community volunteers who are responsible for setting policies, identifying priority projects and ensuring the agency is operated in an efficient and effective manner.


Urban Transportation Commission

The Urban Transportation Commission makes recommendations to City Council on transportation-related matters, including energy-efficient transportation, transit service, active transportation options, taxicab franchises and provisions to best serve those with mobility impairments.


City Council Mobility Committee

The Mobility Committee reviews land use as it concerns mobility, all transportation modes including roads, aviation, public transit, pedestrian programs, bicycle programs, ground transportation, taxicab regulation, core transit corridors and related matters.


Project Connect Community Advisory Committee

The City of Austin, Capital Metro and the Austin Transit Partnership created an advisory committee to advise all three partners on topics related to equity and Project Connect, including efforts to curb displacement along the Project Connect system.


CAMPO Transportation Policy Board

The 22-member Transportation Policy Board (TPB) is the governing body for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and is made up of 20 elected officials and a representative from TxDOT and one from Capital Metro. The TPB is the body that makes decisions on CAMPO policy and decides how CAMPO funding is allocated. 


Pedestrian Advisory Council

The Pedestrian Advisory Council advises the City of Austin and other jurisdictions on all matters relating to walking.

Project Connect staff working with community to update light rail plan

 

Even as they face rising costs and supply chain issues affecting communities on a global basis, Austin leaders remain committed to completing the Project Connect plan city voters approved in 2020 without implementing new taxes.  

The Austin Transit Partnership board of directors discussed the Project Connect timeline with staff on Wednesday, Aug. 24. In the spring of 2023, staff plans to bring forth an updated light rail implementation plan.

As staff develops that plan, the community will be engaged throughout. Upcoming meetings include the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee on Sept. 8, and more engagement opportunities will be posted on Project Connect’s Get Involved page.

“My expectation is that we’re going to be technically sound, that we will produce the functions that are requested and we explain how we get there,” said ATP board member Jeff Travillion at the Aug. 24 meeting.

Travillion was officially sworn in as the newest member of the ATP board on Aug. 24. You can watch a recording of the meeting at ATXN.

Longhorn football kicks off Sept. 3

 

Another season of University of Texas football begins Sept. 3 as the Longhorns take on the University of Louisiana-Monroe at 7 p.m., the first of three consecutive home games to begin the season.

The Longhorns, who come into the season unranked for the first time since 2016, will host No. 1 Alabama on Sept. 10 at 11 a.m., followed by a matchup against the University of Texas-San Antonio on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

Roads in the campus area, including parts of Dean Keeton Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, will be closed on gameday to safely accommodate the crowds around the stadium. You can find a map of the closures at the City’s website.

If you are planning to attend a game, the best way to get there is by taking the bus or riding your bike. CapMetro bus service is free for UT students, faculty and staff with a valid school ID, and multiple routes serve the UT campus with frequent service. Use CapMetro’s trip planner to find the route that works best for you.

You can also rent a MetroBike to get to the tailgate and the game. Multiple stations are located across campus, including one just north of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at the intersection of 23rd Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.

For more information on mobility options on campus, visit UT’s Parking and Transportation Services website.

New report gives leaders tools to improve bus service, cut emissions

 

The National Association of City Transportation Officials released a report in August that puts forth a simple concept: the most powerful tool leaders have to address climate change is the city bus, and options are available at the local level to improve bus service quickly.

Move! That! Bus! Tactics for Transforming Transit in Two Years provides an action plan for local officials to make quick decisions that lead to immediate results to reduce emissions and improve the lives of residents. The report focuses on three action items:
  • Offering frequent all-day bus service,
  • Redesigning streets to prioritize bus service, and
  • Adopting local policy reforms that support transit.
Caitlin D’Alton of the City of Austin and Nadia Barrera-Ramirez of CapMetro were part of a network of transit professionals from across the U.S. and Canada that developed the recommendations.

The City and CapMetro are already implementing many of the recommendations in the report, including bus-only priority lanes to help deliver faster travel times and expanded service as part of CapMetro’s Project Connect.

You can read the full report here.

Monday, August 29, 2022

City of Austin to host pitch event spotlighting local, circular businesses

 

Social entrepreneurs compete to help City reach zero waste 

WHAT: 

Join Austin Resource Recovery, the Austin Young Chamber and the Economic Development Department for the City of Austin's Circular Austin Showcase. This is a pitch event for local ‘circular’ businesses, focused on reuse, zero waste, and/or sustainability.  
 

The Circular Austin Showcase is an opportunity for circular businesses to reach potential investors, attract new audiences and showcase their business models to like-minded individuals and business owners. According to the 2020 Austin Recycling Economic Impact Study, circular businesses support over $1 billion in local economic activity and over 6,300 jobs while helping Austin reduce waste to reach its zero waste goal by 2040. 

 

WHO:

The event is hosted by Austin Resource Recovery, the Austin Young Chamber and the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
 

Eight businesses will participate in the showcase to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $5,000 in prize money and connect with potential investors. The companies pitching are: 

  • Born Again Kreations* - plans to create insulated water bottle holders using decorator fabric samples and cuts of high-quality fleece from Austin Creative Reuse and bulletproof vests from Travis County.

  • FLORAL SEA - is a conceptual fashion house and design studio that was launched in response to the lack of diversity and inclusivity of Black-Latinx beauty, style, and culture in today's sustainable fashion scene. 

  • GROARTS* - plans to create the GROBOX which is a simple hydroponic setup for growing microgreens at home using plastic boxes and plastic inserts from ACC Bioscience Incubator and EQO.

  • Heron - rents and delivers anything you don't use enough to buy. Everything from carpet cleaners to knee scooters to projectors to air mattresses delivered right to your doorstep.

  • Not Nice - turns the vibrant graphics on aluminum cans into unique jewelry and accessories, creating simple, lightweight earrings from punched and sanded aluminum and incorporating other upcycled materials to create wallets, beer tasting journals, and pendant jewelry.

  • Reclaim.Repurpose.Reimagine.* - plans to create packaging for luxury goods using decorator fabric samples from Austin Creative Reuse and bulletproof vests from Travis County.

  • REVISION GOODS* - plans to create durable home goods using decorator fabric samples from Austin Creative Reuse.

  • USE2 - is a grassroots incubator committed to demonstrating the economics of innovative resale processes driven by extending material lifespans and circularity. In a USE2 scenario, donated material goods are immediately sorted, aggregated and sold to entrepreneurs.

*Winners of the City’s 2022 [Re]verse Pitch Competition 

 

WHEN: 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 5:30 – 8 p.m. 
 

WHERE: 

The Cathedral | 2403 E 16th St., Austin, TX 78702

This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.

Attendees will have a chance to hear company pitches, join networking sessions and learn about Austin’s circular economy. Register to attend the August 30 Circular Austin Showcase.  

For more information, visit AustinTexas.gov/CircularShowcase.

Austin Public Health Partnering With Vendor for Continued Monkeypox Vaccine Efforts

Austin Public Health (APH) is continuing to enhance its monkeypox vaccine response efforts through a partnership with Wellness Equity Alliance. APH and Wellness Equity Alliance will work together to administer Jynneos monkeypox vaccines to high-risk groups in both Austin and Travis County.

To determine eligibility for receiving the vaccine, the public can visit Wellness Equity Alliance’s website. Those who qualify for the vaccine will be given an option to schedule an appointment. 

Vaccination information is also available on APH’s monkeypox webpage

Those who need assistance can call the APH Equity Line at 512-972-5560. 

NOTE: Emails will be sent from a Wellness Equity Alliance account (@wellnessequityalliance.com). 

Stop the Spread 

The public is urged to follow precautions as monkeypox cases rise in the community. Protective measures include:  

  • Being fully clothed and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with strangers.   
  • Limiting close and or/intimate contact to people you know.   
  • Close contact includes sharing items like drinks and blankets.   
  • Wearing well-fitting masks in close quarters when social distancing isn’t possible to reduce direct exchange of mouth/nasal fluids.   
  • Washing/sanitizing your hands as well as cleaning surfaces. 
  • Staying home if you feel sick or experience any symptoms

About Wellness Equity Alliance 

WEA is a national alliance of public health clinicians and supporting operations committed to transforming health care delivery to vulnerable communities with a focus on communicable disease management and behavioral health clinical services in strategic settings as public health extenders. 

WEA partners with departments of public health, emergency management agencies, other related governmental agencies, hospitals and health centers, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to work as extensions of public health. 


Saturday, August 27, 2022

Austin-Travis County, partners continue efforts to provide monkeypox vaccines to high-risk groups

With expanded criteria and new authorizations for monkeypox vaccine administration, more people are eligible to be vaccinated. In the last week, the City of Austin, Travis County, and community partners joined efforts and coordinated a large response to get vaccines to those who need them the most.   

“At least 27 women are positive in the state, and we are seeing the spread within more people who weren’t sexually involved with another positive case and was spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or face-to-face spread through infected respiratory secretions,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “The virus is finding a way, but the vaccine is the way out.” 

APH has received a little over 5,000 vials of the Jynneos vaccines to date. 2,544 vials have been allocated to community partners such as CommUnityCare, which held a walk-up vaccine clinic with Ascension Seton near Austin PRIDE events, administering 1,910 vaccine doses in one weekend.   

“By partnering together, we were once again able to target at-risk populations and get the much-needed monkeypox vaccine into arms,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. “I want to thank CommUnityCare for their efforts to get a vaccine clinic up and running in less than 48 hours. Their efforts will help prevent the spread of monkeypox by protecting our those in our community at highest risk.” 

More partners include other community organizations with a long history of outreach, engagement, and established relationships in the local community, such as the Kind Clinic and Vivent Health

"Yet again, our community pulled together to help make sure those most at risk from monkeypox are protected. Thanks to our healthcare partners for mobilizing clinics and to the state and federal government for hearing our calls for more vaccines,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “We will continue to fight for the resources we need to keep this community safe.” 

APH has created a survey (Espanol) that evaluates whether a person is currently eligible for the vaccine based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine eligibility criteria. APH Epidemiology, Equity Line and Nursing staff have responded to several thousand monkeypox-related calls in the last couple of months and will continue to provide information as well as schedule vaccine appointments for those without internet access. 

In coordination with the APH Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness Division, all those who were confirmed contacts of a positive case were contacted to schedule a vaccine. Additionally, more than 1,600 people who were on a waitlist have been contacted this week to schedule their appointment.  

“We will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of State Health Services to demonstrate that obtaining more vaccines and using a community approach in its distribution is necessary to continue to fight this virus,” said APH Chief Administrative Officer Cassandra DeLeon.  

This expanded eligibility criteria comes just after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an emergency use authorization for the Jynneos vaccine to allow health care providers to administer the vaccine by intradermal injection (shallow injection under the skin) instead of subcutaneous injection (injection into the muscle tissue). Each vial may now provide 3-5 doses. 

The public is urged to follow precautions as monkeypox cases rise in the community. Protective measures include: 

  • Being fully clothed and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with strangers.  

  • Limiting close and or/intimate contact to people you know.  

  • Close contact includes sharing items like drinks and blankets.  

  • Wearing well-fitting masks in close quarters when social distancing isn’t possible to reduce direct exchange of mouth/nasal fluids.  

  • Washing/sanitizing your hands as well as cleaning surfaces.

  • Staying home if you feel sick or experience any symptoms

Anyone who believes they are a close contact with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox or experiencing symptoms should reach out to their health care provider. Those without access to healthcare may call APH's Equity Line at 512-972-5560 for information. 


Wednesday, August 24, 2022

To Emancipate: From Slavery to Freedom, an Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Exhibit Now Online

Oakwood Cemetery Chapel presents To Emancipate, a digital exhibit detailing the history of African Americans in Austin, Texas before and after emancipation. 


Valore Lott's ancestors, the Madison family

The exhibit shares stories of the lives of African Americans buried in Oakwood Cemetery, and the impact they had on the Austin community. To Emancipateincludes a timeline that contextualizes slavery in Austin within a greater world history. The accomplishments of Black Texans are highlighted through biographies, photographs, oral histories, and family recipes.
 
The exhibit also features a digital reproduction of the George Washington Carver Museums exhibit “The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas” which contextualizes the men, women and children buried in Oakwood Cemetery whose lives were affected by slavery. Viewers can take 360° virtual reality tours of the Carver exhibit and the “Historic Colored Grounds” and explore a GIS map of Freedom Communities.
 
Visit the online exhibit To Emancipate.

Austin Public Health recommends outdoor precautions after recent rain

Four investigated West Nile virus cases

As part of routine monitoring for mosquito-borne diseases, including the West Nile Virus, Austin Public Health’ (APH) Environmental Vector Control Program has identified a second positive mosquito pool for West Nile Virus in the 78759 zip code. Additionally, four human West Nile cases in Travis County have been confirmed by regional case investigations. These positive pools and cases show that the West Nile Virus is in our community and precautions should be followed.

“The Environmental Vector Control Program provides education, information and ideas on techniques that can be used by residents to mitigate or eliminate mosquitoes in the area,” said Marcel Elizondo, Interim Assistant Director for Environmental Health Services. “By removing standing water and using prevention tools we keep ourselves, our families and communities safe.”    

The first positive pool of the year was detected this time last month in the 78721 zip code. In 2021, there were eight positive mosquito pools in Travis County and 1,515 positive pools across the state of Texas, and 77 confirmed West Nile virus cases.   

About 20 percent of people nationwide infected with West Nile Virus develop symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Of those infected, few develop further serious illnesses affecting the central nervous system. People over 60 years of age are at greater risk of developing serious disease, as are those with medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease. Organ transplant recipients are also at risk for more severe forms of disease.    

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is typically spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile Virus is not spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching other people or live animals.      

Know the dangers and fight the bite with the “Four D’s”:     

  • Drain standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water and need as little as one teaspoon. Emptying water that accumulates in toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, clogged rain gutters, and plant pots will deny mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs and reproduce.   

  • Dusk to Dawn: Although different species of mosquitoes are active at different times of day, the Culex mosquito that spreads West Nile Virus is most active between dusk and dawn.   

  • Dress: Wear pants and long sleeves when you are outside. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; mosquito repellent clothing is also available.   

  • DEET: Apply insect repellant: Use an EPA-registered repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. Apply on both exposed skin and clothing.    

Mosquitoes are present in Central Texas year-round, but the population is largest and most active from May through November. During this period, the APH Environmental Vector Control Program monitors the mosquito population.    

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/WestNile. For additional information about APH Environmental Vector Control and mosquito monitoring programs, visit https://austintexas.gov/department/environmental-vector-control

Council Ballot Positions and Calendar for Candidate Forums Confirmed

 

Six City Council seats up for vote on Nov. 8 

The Office of the City Clerk conducted the drawing for positions on the November municipal election ballot earlier today.

The drawing determined the order in which the candidate names for the six Council Districts that will be listed on the ballot for the Nov. 8 City Council elections. The official Council Candidates can be viewed in ballot order on the City Clerk’s website. The drawing is done randomly by picking candidate names by district and announcing the order of candidates' names.

Council Districts that will be electing Council Members are Districts 1, 3, 5, 8, 9 and Mayor. The other districts will be chosen in 2024.

The City has set the calendar for the Council Candidate Forums taking place in September and October. The City of Austin, the City's Ethics Review Commission and the League of Women Voters Austin Area, will sponsor the six City Council Candidate Forums for City Council candidates competing in the November 8 election.

Below are the details for each Candidate Forum and each forum can be viewed live in-person, online, on-air, or by phone. 

» District 1: Thu, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at Asian American Resource Center (8401 Cameron Road)
» District 3: Thu, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center (808 Nile St.)
» District 5: Thu, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at South Austin Senior Center (3911 Menchaca Road)
» District 8: Thu, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at South Austin Senior Center (3911 Menchaca Road)
» District 9: Thu, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers (301 W. 2nd St.)
» Mayor: Thu, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers (301 W. 2nd St.) 
» If Run-Off: Wed, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers (301 W. 2nd St.) 

Individuals are able to watch the forums live at ATXN.TV (ENG & SPA), cable TV channel 6, and AT&T U-Verse channel 99, and on streaming apps. The forum can also be heard live on KAZI FM 88.7 in English. Language Interpretation via Telephone will be provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin (Dial 1-855-756-7520 ext 83464# for English, 83465# for Spanish, 83466# for Mandarin, and 83467# for Vietnamese). For other language interpretation not provided for the forums, please call Austin 3-1-1 to request an interpreter at least 5 business days prior to the forum you wish to attend.

Austinites can email questions to be considered to ask the candidates for the Forums to forum@lwvaustin.org or call 512-451-6710. Deadline is by 12pm (noon) the day of each forum event date. For more information about the Council Candidate Forums, visit AustinTexas.gov/CandidateForums.

To find out which district you live in, visit AustinTexas.gov/Government#FindDistrict.

For more information about the election process, visit AustinTexas.gov/Elections.

Austin-Travis County receives federal funding to prevent domestic violence killings and injuries by firearms

Austin Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) has been awarded a federal grant to reduce domestic violence fatalities and the use of firearms to inflict injury, fear, intimidation, and coercive control over victims. 

OVP will implement the $500,000 grant in partnership with Travis County and SAFE Alliance. 

The project will take a comprehensive, culturally specific approach to address firearm relinquishment to enhance victim safety by addressing the intersection of firearms and domestic violence.  

"A recent Texas report indicates that domestic abuse is five times more like to result in death in homes where guns are present,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “This is a step toward a healthier community free of injury or death by firearms.”  

The grant from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) works to develop and implement a standardized firearm surrender protocol that coordinates across all jurisdictions in the criminal-legal system to keep guns out of the hands of abusers. 

“A gun in the household combined with an act of domestic violence is a recipe for tragedy. We must do everything we can to protect families as they proceed through the legal process,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. “This grant awarded to the Office of Violence Prevention allows for people to make responsible decisions and surrender their weapons while they work to resolve their legal issues.” 

The grant is part of a larger effort through the Department of Justice which selected Austin as one of six new sites to participate in the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) expansion, which includes Tucson, Arizona; the Georgia Department of Community Supervision; Detroit, Michigan; the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley in Tennessee and Yakima, Washington.  

“Removing guns from domestic violence situations saves lives. That is a fact," said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. "We thank the White House and the Justice Department for selecting Austin in support of our local efforts to address gun violence.” 

In addition to funding, OVP will receive technical assistance to help implement strategies for preventing the use of firearms in domestic violence incidents and incorporate community partners, particularly organizations that center on underserved populations, into planning and implementation efforts.   

“Gun violence is an epidemic, which is why I spearheaded the creation of our Office of Violence Prevention in 2020. I am pleased to see the Office of Violence Prevention work with our partners to help keep guns out of the hands of those who should never have had them in the first place, particularly in family violence cases,” said Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter. “These life-saving changes to the County’s gun surrender program would not be possible without the Office of Violence Prevention, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and our many community allies.” 

County, City, and nonprofit partnerships include: 

  • Austin Travis County Family Task Force,  

  • Travis County Sheriff’s Office,  

  • Austin Police Department, including the Victim Services Division,  

  • Office of Police Oversight,  

  • Austin Public Health, Office of Violence Prevention, 

  • City of Austin Law Department, Civil Rights Office, and Equity Office,  

  • Travis County District Attorney’s Office,  

  • Domestic Violence High Risk Team,  

  • Travis County Counseling and Education Services, and 

  • The SAFE Alliance. 

“The SAFE Alliance knows that when government and community work together, lives are saved,” SAFE Executive Director Julia Spann said. “This new program will make sure that survivors of every culture and color are at the table to ensure our new protocols serve everyone in our community.” 

“A county-wide firearm surrender protocol will ensure that those at high risk of committing gun violence surrender their weapons, and that will make our community safer,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “This is an essential first step in establishing a standard set of rules to help prosecutors, law enforcement, and advocates keep guns out of high-risk situations.”  

During the timeframe of this grant, OVP will be participating in the Community Violence Intervention Collaborative on the national level, creating cross-learning and information-sharing opportunities.  

“These federal funds will help create and implement policies for reducing gun crime and promoting safety for some of the most vulnerable families in our community,” Congressman Lloyd Doggett said.  “These dollars support the important work that the Office of Violence Prevention and its partners are doing locally to reduce deadly incidents of domestic violence and to keep guns out of the hands of abusers.” 

About Austin Public Health  

Austin Public Health is the health department for the City of Austin and Travis County. Austin Public Health works to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of all by monitoring and preventing infectious diseases and environmental threats and educating about the benefits of preventative behaviors to avoid chronic diseases and improve health outcomes. 

Austin Animal Center aims to adopt out 100 dogs during Clear the Shelters

Austin Animal Center is waiving all adoption fees on Saturday, August 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., during its Clear the Shelters event in collaboration with KXAN and Telemundo.
 
The Center’s goal is for 100 dogs to get adopted this week to make sure every dog at the shelter has appropriate housing.
 
“This summer we have really struggled with capacity in a new, post-pandemic environment,” said Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland. “On Friday we had 61 dogs staying in crates. The dogs keep flowing in and, unfortunately, we’re not getting them out as quickly as they’re coming in. If we can get 100 dogs adopted, fostered, or rescued, then we can create needed space and avoid the likelihood of having to suspend intake.”
 
Austin Animal Center adopted out 60 dogs at the 2019 Clear the Shelters event. “We know that 100 dogs is a high goal, but we really hope that the community comes forward to adopt and foster on Saturday,” said Adoption Program Manager Rebekha Montie. “We have so many dogs and cats just waiting for their forever homes.”
 
Staff and volunteers will be onsite to help adopters find the right match, and foster coordinators will be available to process walk-in foster applications.
 
Austin Animal Center is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. The Center will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday for the fee-waived event. Adoptable pets can be viewed online at austinanimalcenter.org.
 
Clear The Shelters is an annual, nationwide pet adoption and shelter donation campaign supported by local NBC and Telemundo affiliates. Since 2015, NBC’s Clear The Shelters national pet adoption campaign has resulted in more than a half-million pets finding new homes.
 
 
About the Animal Services Office
The City of Austin Animal Services Office operates the Austin Animal Center, and is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. Austin Animal Center provides shelter to more than 11,000 animals annually and safely places more than 95% of all pets. Our goal is to keep pets with their families and in their communities, provide a safe place for homeless animals, promote responsible pet ownership, and preserve the human-animal bond.