Austin Animal Services

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.

Rescue Partners

In addition to the volunteer, adoption and foster programs, Austin Animal Services has developed a strong Rescue Partner program by working with more than 180 rescue partners. These organizations network with the shelter on a regular basis and work diligently to help our pets find the perfect new homes they deserve. Approximately 34% of animals in the shelter are transferred to approved rescue partners. The participation of our partners is vital to Austin Animal Services live outcome goals.

How to Become a Partner

Austin Animal Services works hard to grow the rescue program by adding new rescue groups to the list of approved partners. Rescue Partner groups are carefully screened, reviewed and monitored by the Center. Austin Animal Services works closely with these approved placement partner organizations to save homeless pets.

A 501c3 designation is not a requirement to become an Austin Animal Services Rescue Partner, but it is taken into consideration as part of the whole approval process. Austin Animal Services does not require a minimum number of transfers from its approved Rescue Partners, nor does it charge a fee for transfers.

For information or to apply, please contact us via email at animal.rescue@austintexas.gov.

Active Partners

All Texas Dachshund Rescue

Austin Boxer Rescue

Austin Bulldog Rescue

Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Austin Guinea Pig Rescue 

Austin Humane Society

Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Reptile Rescue

Austin Sheltie Rescue

Austin Siamese Rescue

Austin Wildlife Rescue

Ay Chihuahua Rescue

Big Dogs Huge Paws

Border Collie Save & Rescue, Inc

Boston Terrier Rescue of North Texas

Cavalier Rescue USA

Central Texas Dachshund Rescue

Central Texas SPCA

Central Texas Rat Rescue

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin/San Antonio

Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas

Doodle Dandy Rescue

French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN)

Gold Ribbon Rescue

Great Pyrs & Paws Rescue

Hay Dude Critter Rescue

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

Hound Rescue

House Rabbit Resource Network

Houston Chow Chow Connection

I Dog Doodle Rescue

Lil' Paws Maltese Rescue

Lone Star Westie Rescue

Lucky and Puppy Paws Dog Rescue

Lucky and Legends Saint Bernard Rescue 

Lucky Lab Rescue 

National Brittany Rescue 

National Brussels Griffon Rescue

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

North American Shar-Pei Rescue

Papillon Rescue of the North East

PAWS of Austin Great Dane Rescue

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

Pug Rescue of Austin

Rescue ATX Dogs, Inc

S.A.F.E. Refuge of Central Texas

Safe Haven Animal Rescue

Save Rocky the Great Dane Rescue & Rehab     

Saving South Texas

Shadow Cats Rescue

Small Chance Rescue

Small Paws Rescue

South Central Bloodhound Rescue

South Texas Aussie Rescue

Southwest English Setter Rescue

SPCA of Texas

Sydney's Sanctuary and Cat Lounge

Tender Loving Crested 

Texas Humane Heroes

Tornado Alley Gentle Giants

Wee Rescue

Weimaraner Rescue of Texas

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter

Wimberley Adoption Group

Wynterwood Farm Avian Rescue   

Updated July 2026