Austin Animal Center has numerous programs and partnerships designed to help pets in the shelter, pets in the community, and pets at home.
Community Spay and Neuter Programs
Spay and neuter is a core component of keeping Austin a No Kill City. Free and low cost services are available to make spay and neuter accessibly to every pet owner.
Free Days Owned Pet Spay and Neuter: These are spay and neuter surgeries and vaccines for owned pets funded by Austin Animal Center and conducted during Emancipet free day clinics for Austin/Travis County owned pets.
Included with the surgery:
- Rabies vaccine (dogs and cats 3 months and older)
- DHPP (for dogs 6 months and younger)
- FVRCP (for cats 6 months and younger)
- Microchip (unless already chipped)
- Post-surgery pain medication
Spay and Neuter Outreach: Austin Animal Center staff lead outreach efforts in high-intake neighborhoods. They pick up and transport owned pets to Emancipet, where they are sterilized and vaccinated. The pets are then returned by staff to their families.
Shelter-Neuter-Return: Through a partnership program with Austin Humane Society, some healthy stray cats brought to Austin Animal Center are transferred to Austin Humane Society, where they are sterilized, vaccinated and returned to the place they were found. Because the reclaim rate for lost cats is only 1 – 2% and the shelter operates at capacity most of the year, the SNR program is lifesaving for about 1,200 cats each year.
Rabies Clinic Spay and Neuter: In partnership with Emancipet, the Austin Animal Center holds two rabies clinics each year. In addition to providing free vaccines, collar, tag and microchip, AAC funds up to 100 spay and neuter surgeries per event.
Community Cats TNR: AAC funds feral cat sterilization and vaccines through a partnership with Austin Humane Society.
Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics
The City of Austin hosts at least two free Rabies vaccination events each year in different locations within the City of Austin and Travis County.
Texas State Law requires your pets to be vaccinated against rabies. Protect your pets and your family!
For everyone’s safety at the rabies clinics:
- Dogs must be on leashes
- Cats must be in carriers or secure boxes with air holes
- Puppies should be in carriers or crates
Free Microchips and ID Tags
As a Travis County Resident, you can get a free microchip and ID tag for your pet! Just come down to Austin Animal Services during the hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to get a free microchip and/or ID tag for your pet. A pet that is microchipped, tagged, or both has a greater chance of returning to its owner.
Fencing and Dog House Program
To assist citizens and dogs using a tether as a primary means of restraint, Animal Protection has a fencing assistance program. We will accept fencing donations and offer them to citizens who need to correct their tethering violations.
Need help with fencing or a doghouse?
For questions, contact the Resource Officer at (512) 978-0519 for more information.