City of Austin

Austin, TX - Austin Animal Services  urgently needs the community to provide foster and adoptive homes to relieve overcrowding after the shelter took in 22 dogs from a single situation. The shelter is currently housing more than 30 dogs in temporary crates. The sudden intake has left the shelter out of available kennels and operating beyond capacity.

With every kennel full, staff are working around the clock to ensure animals receive proper care, but the reality is clear: the shelter needs adopters and foster homes now.

“When we experience a large, unplanned intake like this, it immediately strains our resources and space,” said Monica Dangler, Austin Animal Services Director. “We rely on our community to step up in moments like these. Opening your home, even temporarily, has a huge, positive impact for pets.”

Shelter life is stressful for animals. The noise, close quarters, and unfamiliar environment can take a toll on their physical and emotional well-being. A home doesn’t have to be perfect or large; it just needs to be safe and full of care. Even short-term fostering provides animals with a break from the shelter and creates much-needed kennel space for incoming pets.

How the Community Can Help:

• Foster or adopt: Fostering gives pets a temporary home for those not yet ready for a permanent adoption. Austin Animal Services provides all supplies and covers medical care for foster pets. The shelter is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. To view available pets and services, visit AustinAnimalCenter.org. 

• Reunite Lost Pets: If you’ve lost or found a pet, post on Petco Love Lost, scan for a microchip, and check with neighbors to help locate the owner. Keep your pets identifiable with a collar, visible ID tags, and a registered microchip so they can get home quickly. If your pet is at Animal Services, reclaim fees are waived in most cases as the goal is to reunite pets with their families as soon as possible.

• Donate: Community donations directly support animal care and help the shelter respond to urgent needs like this one. Animal Services has an immediate need for large and extra-large kennels to safely house bigger dogs. Monetary donations or items from our wishlist make a difference.

• Spay/Neuter: Preventing shelter overcrowding starts with preventing unplanned litters. Austin Animal Services is offering FREE services at its Community Spay/Neuter Clinic February 26–March 2. Spaying and neutering can prevent litters, improve behavior, and help pets live longer. Please help spread the word to anyone who needs these services.

To view available pets, sign up to foster, or learn more about upcoming events, visit AustinAnimalCenter.org.