If you’re looking for a furry companion and a new addition to your family, check out our list of resources to connect you with your new BFF. Whether you’re looking for a cat, dog, or even a rabbit, you can find ways to adopt, foster, donate, and volunteer at various ATX pet rescues below.
Austin Animal Center
Austin Animal Center is a city-sponsored animal shelter that provides rehabilitation programs for at-risk pets and strives to reduce the number of homeless pets in Austin. The center is an open-intake facility that accepts all homeless pets regardless of breed, size, or temperament. You can learn about their adoption process here.
Austin Dog Rescue
Austin Dog Rescue is a foster-based non-profit organization that saves, fosters, and places homeless dogs in Austin and central Texas. ADR is not a shelter, but it depends on dedicated fosters, all of whom have opened their wallets, hearts, and homes, to provide loving and supportive temporary placement until the perfect forever home is found. Check their available dogs here.
Austin Humane Society
The Austin Humane Society is the largest non-profit and no-kill shelter in Austin. It is also the longest-standing shelter in the city, as it has been in service since 1952. Like other large-scale shelters in the city, the Humane Society is dedicated to safely rehoming pets and educating the public about responsible pet ownership. You can get info on their adoption process here.
Austin Pets Alive!
APA! has cats and dogs in its downtown Austin location, as well as some in foster throughout the city. Austin Pets Alive! is a no-kill shelter committed to rehabilitating at-risk pets and reducing euthanasia rates across Austin. APA! also has a barn cat program, where they place non-traditional cats that are feral or non-socialized with owners that can give them a safe shelter. Info on adoption, fostering and more ways to get involved here.
House Rabbit Resource Network
The House Rabbit Resource Network advocates for the livelihood of house rabbits by educating owners about proper rabbit care and facilitating the adoption process for homeless rabbits and potential owners. The resource works not only to facilitate these adoptions but also to provide education about how rabbit owners can take better care of their new pet(s). You can join in their Rabbit Fun Run, giving Austin Rabbits a second chance, here.
Forgotten Friends Mixed Breed Rescue
The Forgotten Friends Rescue is devoted to rescuing mixed-breed dogs and finding them suitable homes. The program has existed for 20 years and is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Mixed-breed dogs enter the program from area shelters, then the rescue finds a suitable foster home and, eventually, an adopter. Find out more about fostering, adoption, and volunteering here.
Lizzy’s Animal Hospice
Lizzy’s Animal Hospice works to provide the most vulnerable shelter dogs – those who are elderly or terminally ill – with a loving home in which to spend the rest of their life. Lizzy’s Animal Hospice was founded on the idea that all dogs deserve a loving and comforting end of life, and seeks to provide that for this vulnerable population. Lizzy’s Animal Hospice also runs Lucky Mutts, a dog rescue organization with younger/healthy dogs that Lizzy’s brings in mistakenly or by choice. To foster or adopt, click here.
New Hope Animal Rescue
After volunteering at area shelters and seeing how desperate they were for rescue support partners, Kelley Rice founded New Hope Animal Rescue. New Hope works to reduce the number of dogs that are euthanized in shelters each year by advocating for animal adoption over purchase from breeders and educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering. Check out the dogs and cats looking for their forever home here.
Purrfect Pals Rescue
The Purrfect Pals Rescue specializes in particularly at-risk kittens that require round-the-clock care and bottle feeding. They work to rehabilitate these kittens and prepare them for placement in a forever home, to reduce the euthanasia rates among kittens that need extra care. They have walk-in adoptions available and you can find more info here.
Wee Rescue
The Wee Rescue works with the Austin Animal Center to place small dog breeds – such as Havanese, Lhasa Apsos, and Pekingese Shih Tzus – in forever homes. All of the small dogs are spayed/neutered, receive shots, and get microchipped before they are made available for adoption. They also spend at least two weeks in a foster home so potential adopters can get a sense of their personality and triggers. See which dogs are available here.
Even More Rescue Organizations:
