Starting September 13, 2022, the City’s shelter will only take in animals for emergencies
On August 27, the Austin Animal Center asked for the community’s help during the national Clear the Shelters adoption event. While 63 cats and 47 dogs animals found their new homes at the event, AAC now has over 700 animals at the shelter, including 67 dogs living in temporary popup crates due to space issues.
“Shelters nationwide are struggling. We really need community members to foster or adopt a dog,” said Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard. “Maintaining our No-kill status takes a village, and our City shelter can’t do it without you.”
Austin Animal Center continues to waive all adoption fees and will hold a “Clear the Crates” adoption event on Saturday, September 17. Every dog available for adoption staying in a crate will be located in a tent on the front lawn starting at 10 am.
Austin Animal Center has also made the difficult decision to temporarily restrict intake starting September 13. Intake will be restricted to emergencies only, including animals that are injured or present a clear public safety risk. Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Since becoming No-Kill in 2011, the Austin Animal Center has only had to restrict intake three times; once in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and twice in 2016 due to capacity issues. “We are temporarily restricting intake now to ensure we can continue to provide the level of animal care that our community expects,” said Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland. “When all animals in our care can be placed in regular kennels instead of relying on temporary pop up crates, we can fully open again.”
Austin Animal Center asks that residents who need assistance with an injured animal take the following steps:
- Call 311, advise them that you need assistance with an injured animal and ask to speak with an Animal Protection Officer.
- Wait for the Animal Protection Officer to come pick up the animal. Do not bring the animal to the shelter.
- If you have found a loose pet that is not injured, please review the Pet Reunification Guide.
Currently, the Center is open for adoption and reclaim Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. Starting Sunday, September 25, the center will reopen for adoption and reclaim on Sundays.
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 12,000 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.
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 12,000 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.
