Banner collage of shelter staff, volunteers, and animals. Two volunteers snuggling tabby cats, a smiling adopter with a young white pup, a joyful shelter employee holding a small white puppy, and two animal protection officers: one with a rescued hawk.

Reclaim Your Pet

Reclaim Your Pet from Austin Animal Services

If you have found your pet in our shelter, please visit us immediately to reclaim. Pets are held for 3 days and then are released for adoption or transfer.

If you cannot visit the shelter, please call our Reclaim Hotline at 512-978-0556 or email animal.reclaim@austintexas.gov (the hotline is answered daily during business hours).

Required to reclaim:

Proof of ownership like vet records, microchip information, or a photo ID of your pet
Photo ID -- we accept Driver's Licenses, US or International passports, government or other official photo identification, and Mexican Consulate cards
Fees range from $0-115. If your pet has received emergency veterinary care due to being sick or injured, there may be an additional cost.

If a pet has been in the shelter's care for longer than 3 days and becomes the property of the City of Austin, state law requires the pet to be spayed/neutered before being released.