TEXAS — It’s National Pet Day and if you’re looking for a new furry family member, here are some shelters located near you where you can adopt one.
Austin
Austin Pets Alive! is a no-kill shelter located in the heart of downtown Austin. If you’re not ready for adoption just yet, they created a new fostering program to help get dogs at the shelter training so they can get adopted even quicker. These are multi-week classes to help teach basic skills and mannerisms. If you are ready to take home a new friend, you can go to two different locations to visit the available animals.
Austin Animal Center, as of April 6, is at 118% capacity for medium and large dogs. The center is home to lost and surrendered animals in need of shelter. It is open for adoptions Monday through Saturday Its goal is to place all adoptable animals in forever homes.
Austin Humane Society is the longest-standing no-kill nonprofit in Austin. Its foster care program allows you to help care for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens that are not ready to be adopted out yet. The Humane Society has many different programs you can participate in to make these animals’ lives just a little better, including the Humane Heroes program for younger kids who can’t volunteer yet, and the Community Cat program.
Dallas
Dallas Animal Services takes in any Dallas pet in need regardless of space. It is open for in-person adoptions seven days a week, and also offers pet support every day. All pets are free to adopt and come spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
SPCA of Texas provides care and rehabilitation services to rescued and stray animals. It also brings spay and neuter services for free to parts of Dallas through mobile vehicles and full-service clinics. The nonprofit has a 96% live release rate.
Humane Society of Dallas County requires adoptees to be 21 years of age. The no-kill nonprofit only refuses intake when there is no space for the animals.
San Antonio
Animal Defense League of Texas has a sponsorship program you can participate in if your home is not ready for a pet right now. You can pick a pet you want to sponsor on the site and fill out a form to complete the process. If the pet is adopted during your sponsorship time, you can transfer that sponsorship to another dog or cat. ADL is run by volunteers and support through donations and adoption fees.
San Antonio Pets Alive! is off the same branch as Austin Pets Alive! It was founded later in 2011 to help lower euthanasia rates in the city. The nonprofit boasts of saving 5,000 at-risks cats and dogs annually.
San Antonio Humane Society’s goal is to end overpopulation and is a no-kill nonprofit. It is open every day. The shelter has educational programs to teach the community about pet ownership and working behind the scenes and importance of an animal shelter.