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Everything is bigger in Texas, and Austin is no exception for saving the lives of vulnerable animals.
The city council passed a resolution in 2010 to establish it as a no-kill city—achieving a 90% or higher success rate since 2011—it now stands as the largest municipality in the United States committed to animal rescue and placement.
When you’re ready to make a match, here are five places where you’re sure to find a love connection.
Austin Pets Alive!
Address: 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St.
Phone: 512-961-6519
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Yelp
Overview
Credit the pioneering and innovative efforts of Austin Pets Alive! for the Texas capital’s status as the largest—and oldest—no-kill city in the United States.
By partnering with Austin’s Animal Center, Austin Pets Alive helped reverse the city’s kill rate from 87% in 2008 to track its save rate instead, which now stands at 97%.
From dog behavior programs to prepare APA! residents for their new life at home to the nation’s first Parvo Puppy ICU, this shelter is on a mission to eliminate euthanasia at home and abroad.
Services and programs
Austin Pets Alive! offers a range of services, including adoption programs, foster care, and medical intervention. They run special programs for animals with unique needs, such as seniors or pets with behavioral challenges.
Their Parvo Puppy ICU and neonatal kitten programs provide lifesaving care to vulnerable animals that might not have survived in other shelters.
Why Austin Pets Alive! stands out
Austin Pets Alive! is known for its advocacy for underdogs, including seniors, animals with behavioral challenges, and those requiring specialized medical attention.
Their pioneering efforts have helped Austin maintain its status as a no-kill city and serve as a model for other communities aiming to eliminate euthanasia.
Austin Animal Center
Address: 7201 Levander Loop
Phone: 512-978-0500
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp
Overview
The largest no-kill shelter in the U.S. partners with hundreds of community rescue organizations to help ensure it has space available for pets in need.
The City of Austin’s animal rescue agency not only accepts lost and surrendered animals; it also funds spay and neuter surgeries and rabies vaccines for owned pets and community cats and provides free microchips and tags for any pet in Travis County.
Austin Animal Center’s dedicated network of over 1,000 foster families and the 500-strong animal corps of volunteers provides the organization the resources to create continuing education classes, host on- and off-site adoption events, provide quality care and overall shelter operations.
Services and programs
The Austin Animal Center provides free adoptions, ensuring pets find loving homes. They offer veterinary care and behavioral training and have extensive lost-and-found services.
Additionally, the shelter provides free microchipping, rabies vaccinations, and tags for pets in Travis County, helping lost pets find their way home quickly.
Why Austin Animal Center stands out
This shelter is unique in its commitment to providing shelter for all animals, regardless of health, breed, or temperament.
Its partnerships with community organizations ensure no pet is left behind, making it the largest no-kill shelter in the U.S.
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Austin Dog Rescue
Contact: Adoption information
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Overview
The all-volunteer Austin Dog Rescue works with passionate foster pet parents to provide in-home care and training for forever families in Central Texas.
Its extensive network of caregivers and volunteers focuses on placing dogs that will respond well in most homes. The organization also works to save dogs with medical conditions and those in high-risk situations.
In addition to available dogs, AustinDog.org maintains an expansive online library of resources and provides vetted recommendations for those bringing home a forever friend.
Services and programs
Austin Dog Rescue is a foster-based rescue that focuses on matching dogs with their perfect forever homes.
They provide medical care, behavioral training, and rehabilitation to ensure dogs are ready for adoption. Their foster network offers in-home care to help pups adjust and thrive before finding their new families.
Why the Austin Dog Rescue stands out
With a high success rate in rehabilitating dogs and placing them in permanent homes, Austin Dog Rescue stands out for its personalized approach and extensive support for both pups and adopters.
Austin Humane Society
Address: 124 W. Anderson Lane
Phone: 512-646-7387
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Yelp
Overview
Since 1952, the Austin Humane Society has placed homeless animals with loving families and served as a valuable community resource with dedicated programming.
While adoption fees range from $85 to $150 depending on age, size, and breed (free for animals over 5 years old), new pet parents also receive substantial discounts on initial services, saving more than $430 on:
Vaccinations
Spay/neuter surgery
Microchips & registration
Wellness and well-being programs
...and valuable discounts to local pet stores. Pretty good deal!
Services and programs
The Austin Humane Society offers spay/neuter clinics and low-cost vaccination services to ensure all pets are healthy and ready for adoption.
They also host regular adoption events, making it easy for potential pet parents to meet their new best friend.
Their humane education programs engage both children and adults, teaching the next generation about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.
Why the Austin Humane Society stands out
What makes the Austin Humane Society truly shine is their long-standing commitment to improving animal welfare through both rescue efforts and education.
They've been a pillar in the community for decades, always striving to create a more compassionate future for animals in Austin.
Forgotten Friends Mixed Breed Rescue
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp
Overview
This foster-based rescue started in 1999 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the organization is searching for dog lovers to serve as foster parents, help run the administrative side of its lifesaving work and facilitate the perfect match.
Services and programs
Forgotten Friends Mixed Breed Rescue offers foster-based care for dogs, ensuring they receive individualized attention while waiting for adoption.
They focus on finding the perfect match, ensuring that dogs are placed in loving, permanent homes that suit their personalities and needs.
Why the Forgotten Friends Mixed Breed Rescue stands out
Forgotten Friends is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming mixed-breed dogs, who are often overlooked in favor of purebreds.
Their focus on mixed breeds helps bring attention to the diverse and loving pups that might otherwise be forgotten.
Why consider pet insurance after adoption?
Adopting a new pet is exciting, but veterinary care can be expensive, especially when unexpected illnesses or accidents occur.
Pet insurance provides peace of mind by covering a significant portion of these costs, so you can focus on your pet’s health instead of worrying about the bills.
Benefits of pet insurance for adopted pets
Adopted pets may come with unknown medical histories, and sometimes those adorable shelter pups may have pre-existing conditions that don’t surface until later.
Having pet insurance in place means you’re prepared for any medical emergencies, routine care, or unexpected treatments, ensuring your new furry friend has a long, healthy life ahead.
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Adopting or fostering from one of these incredible Austin shelters not only changes a pet’s life but also supports the local community's rescue efforts.
By opening your home to a shelter animal, you’re making a positive impact in the lives of these animals and their future families.
Not able to adopt right now?
You can still help by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness about the importance of shelter adoption.
And don’t forget—once you bring your new furry friend home, pet insurance can help you pay for essential coverage for any unexpected accidents or illnesses, ensuring they stay happy and healthy.
NOTE: Austin city code requires all dogs and cats to receive a microchip and provide documentation. Free microchipping services are available at the Pet Resource Center at the Austin Animal Center, and low-cost options are available at other veterinary clinics across town.
From regular wellness checkups to critical care, pet health insurance policies help you budget for veterinary visits and cover unexpected emergencies. Consider protecting your new dog with a ManyPets pet health insurance plan.
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