Austin Travis County Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026
If you searched for an Austin or Travis County animal shelter, the municipal shelter you are usually looking for is Austin Animal Center, operated by Austin Animal Services at 7201 Levander Loop, Building A, Austin, TX 78702.
The important jurisdiction detail is that Austin Animal Services serves the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. A Travis County mailing address does not automatically mean the Austin Animal Center is the correct intake agency, because several incorporated communities use different shelter or law-enforcement routes.
Choose the Right Austin / Travis County Animal-Service Route
The quickest way to waste a trip is to treat adoption hours, stray intake, reclaim, surrender and Animal Protection as the same service. Start with the task you actually need.
Adopt from Austin Animal Center
Browse current shelter/foster pets, bring valid photo ID, and arrive before the adoption line closes at 6 p.m.
Your pet is missing
Search the official lost/found system immediately, then reclaim quickly if your pet is at the shelter because the normal stray hold is 72 hours.
You found a stray pet
Try owner-reunification first when safe. Sick or injured animals should be reported through 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000.
Animal Protection concern
Use 3-1-1 inside Austin or 512-974-2000 for unincorporated Travis County / outside the Austin 3-1-1 calling area.
You may need to surrender a pet
Contact the Pet Resource Center before assuming same-day intake is available. Capacity can restrict non-emergency surrenders.
Bite, dangerous dog or rabies concern
All animal bites should be reported to Animal Protection. Use 9-1-1 if a person needs emergency care or a dangerous dog is actively threatening.
Does Austin Animal Center Serve All of Travis County?
No. Austin Animal Services describes Austin Animal Center as the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. That distinction is important when a pet is found inside another incorporated municipality.
Austin + unincorporated Travis County
Austin Animal Services provides shelter, Animal Protection, pet-resource and related municipal services for Austin and unincorporated areas of Travis County.
Travis County’s own Animal Control page directs Austin residents to 3-1-1 and unincorporated Travis County residents to 512-974-2000.
Some incorporated communities are excluded
Austin Animal Services currently says it cannot offer found-pet intake for animals found in several separate jurisdictions, including Manor, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Bee Cave, Lago Vista, Webberville, Volente and other listed municipalities.
If you are unsure, call before transporting an animal.
Austin Animal Center Adoption & Reclaim Hours 2026
| Service | Current published timing | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in adoption |
Daily 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
The adoption line closes at 6 p.m. Arrive earlier if you need time to browse, meet animals, ask questions and finish paperwork. |
| Pet reclaim |
Shelter public hours:
daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Reclaim Department: daily 11 a.m.–6 p.m. |
If your animal is at the shelter, do not wait. The normal stray hold is 72 hours. |
| Pet Resource Center | Main contact/home pages: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Some other City service pages still show slightly different resource-center windows. For a weekend or late-day visit, verify before driving. |
| Found-pet intake |
Capacity dependent. Green-status walk-up intake: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Intake can shift to appointment-only or critical-emergency-only when shelter capacity changes. |
Remaining Austin Animal Center Closures Posted for 2026
The City currently lists several remaining 2026 closure dates. Check the official shelter homepage again before a holiday trip.
Veterans Day
Posted as an upcoming shelter closure.
Thanksgiving closures
Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday are currently listed.
Christmas closures
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are currently listed as closures.
How to Adopt From Austin Animal Center
Shelter adoption is walk-in, but foster animals use an online application process. These micro-steps keep the two routes clear.
Browse current dogs, cats and other pets
Start on the official City of Austin adoption page . From there, open the current pet listing and save the animal’s name/profile before you leave home.
Check whether the pet is at the shelter or in foster
Shelter pets can be visited during walk-in adoption hours. For a foster pet, use the pink “Adopt Me” button in the online profile. Selected applicants are contacted for an interview and visit.
Confirm you meet the adopter requirements
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and bring valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, government/official photo ID or consular ID.
Arrive before the 6 p.m. adoption-line cutoff
Public adoption hours continue until 7 p.m., but the adoption line closes at 6 p.m. Give yourself enough time for animal meetings, questions and paperwork.
Leave resident pets at home unless instructed otherwise
Personal pets are not allowed during ordinary shelter adoption visits. If you need a resident-dog introduction, arrange it with the Behavior Team. Current appointments are offered daily from 1–5 p.m..
Complete the adoption agreement and fee
Shelter adopters apply in person, sign the Austin Animal Center adoption agreement and pay the applicable fee by the accepted shelter payment method.
Plan safe transport before checkout
Newly adopted dogs should not ride home in the same vehicle as a resident dog. Bring a secure carrier for cats or small pets and appropriate leash/harness equipment for dogs.
Austin Animal Center Adoption Fees 2026
These are the standard fees currently published by Austin Animal Services. Special events can temporarily waive or reduce fees, so the official adoption page should be your final check on the day you adopt.
| Pet category | Current listed fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies & small adult dogs under 30 lb | $120 | Fee includes vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchip. |
| Medium / large adult dogs over 30 lb | $80 | Ask about behavior notes, exercise needs and resident-dog introduction requirements. |
| Senior dogs over 7 years | Free | “Free adoption” does not remove the normal ongoing costs of veterinary care, food and medication. |
| Kittens | $100 | Current City page lists BOGO for applicable kitten pair adoptions. |
| Adult cats | $80 | Bonded pairs designated by staff share one adoption fee. |
| Senior cats 7+ | Free | Cactus Cats and Desperate Housecats are also listed as free. |
| Rabbits | $80 | Check the current profile for health and housing requirements. |
| Reptiles | $80 | Prepare species-appropriate enclosure, heat and lighting before adoption. |
| Guinea pigs | $50 | Designated bonded pairs share one adoption fee. |
| Parakeets | $40 | Confirm cage, social and nutrition requirements before checkout. |
| Chickens / rats / mice |
Chickens $20 Rats $20 Mice $10 |
Availability varies; browse current small-animal listings first. |
Before You Bring Your Family or Resident Dog
Do not bring them for a normal walk-in visit
Austin Animal Services says personal pets are not allowed at the shelter during ordinary adoption visits, even when leashed.
Schedule the introduction
Resident-dog meet-and-greets must be arranged in advance through the Behavior Team. Current appointment hours are daily 1–5 p.m.
No shelter dog-to-cat or cat-to-cat intros
Austin Animal Services currently says it does not conduct dog-to-cat or cat-to-cat introductions.
Lost Pet in Austin or Unincorporated Travis County
Losing a pet can turn into a frantic day very quickly. The most important local fact is the 72-hour shelter hold, so search immediately rather than assuming there is a long reclaim window.
Start close to home
Search the house, yard, garages, porches, nearby streets, greenbelts and places your pet normally visits.
Open the official lost/found page
Use the Austin Animal Services Lost & Found Pets page and search current shelter animals and reports.
Create a Petco Love Lost report
Petco Love Lost is the reporting/search tool currently used by Austin Animal Services. Upload clear recent photos showing multiple angles.
Use LostATX text help if useful
Austin Animal Services currently lists text “lostatx” to 844-764-2125 for automated lost-pet tips. Message/data charges can depend on your carrier plan.
If you see your pet at the shelter, reclaim immediately
Reclaim hours are listed daily from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.. If you cannot visit right away, call 512-978-0556 or email animal.reclaim@austintexas.gov .
Bring ownership proof and photo ID
Austin Animal Services accepts ownership evidence such as veterinary records, microchip information or identifying photos. Bring official photo identification as well.
Found a Dog or Cat? Do Not Automatically Drive to the Shelter
Austin Animal Services emphasizes neighborhood reunification because many pets are found only a short distance from home and shelter capacity can change quickly.
If the animal is healthy and safe
- Take clear photos and note the exact found location.
- Safely check for a collar or visible tag.
- Get a microchip scan at Austin Animal Services, many veterinary offices, Austin/Travis County fire stations or another scanner location.
- Create a found-pet report through the official Austin lost/found process.
- Ask neighbors and nearby households before transporting the pet far away.
- Text foundatx to 844-764-2125 for Austin’s automated guidance.
If the animal is sick, injured or unsafe
Call 3-1-1 inside Austin or 512-974-2000 for City animal-service routing.
If you need shelter intake for a non-emergency animal, contact the Pet Resource Center first: pet.resources@austintexas.gov .
Current intake status can be green, yellow or red depending on shelter capacity, so same-day intake should never be assumed.
Owner Surrender and Rehoming in Austin / Travis County
Austin Animal Services is an open-intake municipal shelter for its jurisdiction, but shelter capacity still affects how quickly a non-emergency owner surrender can be accepted.
Read the official rehoming options first
Open the Austin Animal Services Rehoming a Pet page . The City recommends direct rehoming and support resources before shelter surrender when the situation is not an emergency.
Email the Pet Resource Center
Explain the reason you may need to surrender, the pet’s species, size, medical condition, behavior, bite history and how long you can safely keep the animal. Email pet.resources@austintexas.gov .
Explain any genuine emergency clearly
The City lists examples such as urgent medical need, eviction, owner hospitalization/incarceration and bite incidents as situations that may be considered case by case.
Do not assume a same-day drop-off
Capacity can limit medium/large-dog intake. Current capacity guidance may require an appointment or restrict intake to critical emergencies.
Emergency & Important Austin / Travis County Contacts
| Contact | Number / route | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Animal Services / City service routing |
3-1-1 512-974-2000 |
Animal emergencies, welfare concerns, sick/injured found animals, Animal Protection requests and City service routing. |
| Reclaim Hotline | 512-978-0556 | Reclaim questions when you believe your lost pet is at Austin Animal Center. |
| Emergency — immediate danger | 9-1-1 | Human medical emergency after an animal attack, actively threatening dangerous dog, or animal cruelty where the animal is in immediate danger. |
| Austin Police non-emergency |
3-1-1 512-974-2000 outside Austin |
Austin Police directs non-emergency matters through 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 when calling from outside Austin. |
| Unincorporated Travis County Animal Protection | 512-974-2000 | Travis County’s Animal Control page directs residents of unincorporated Travis County to this number for Animal Protection. |
| Travis County Sheriff non-emergency | 512-974-0845 , option 3 | Current Travis County emergency-information pages publish this as the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency route. |
Animal Bite, Rabies Exposure or Dangerous Dog
Travis County has meaningful rabies risk, and Austin Animal Protection is the rabies-control authority for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County.
Call 9-1-1 when emergency medical care is needed
Austin Animal Services specifically directs bite/scratch victims to 9-1-1 when emergency care is needed.
All animal bites should be reported
Contact Animal Protection through 3-1-1 / 512-974-2000 and use the official Animal Bite Report process when applicable.
Prepare the rabies certificate
Owners whose dogs are involved in bite cases must provide current rabies-vaccination information. Quarantine requirements depend on the circumstances and vaccine status.
Free Microchips, Rabies Vaccines & Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
Austin Animal Center provides municipal veterinary care for animals in shelter custody, but the City’s public community-vet strategy also relies on partner clinics. This is not a general walk-in veterinary hospital with a published doctor appointment roster.
Free microchip and ID tag
Austin Animal Services’ current free/low-cost-services page lists free microchips and pet ID tags for eligible community pets.
Dogs should arrive on leash and cats in secure carriers.
City-funded free and low-cost programs
Austin Animal Services funds spay/neuter programs through Emancipet for residents of Austin and unincorporated Travis County.
Free-day surgery packages can include rabies vaccination, age-appropriate core vaccines, microchip and post-surgery pain medication.
Free vaccine opportunities
Austin Animal Services sponsors partner mobile-clinic access for rabies vaccination and preventive services. Current dates and capacity vary by clinic.
Not Ready to Adopt? Foster or Take a Shelter Dog Out
Temporary foster homes
Austin Animal Services says foster commitments can range from roughly two weeks to several months depending on the animal. Foster applicants need regular email access and transportation to/from the shelter.
Dog outings
Current special-program information lists shelter-dog outings on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with pickup from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and return before 6 p.m.
Weekend sleepovers
Austin Animal Services also lists Friday-to-Sunday weekend sleepovers for eligible shelter dogs, giving the dog a break and providing useful home-behavior information.
Who Leads Austin Animal Services in 2026?
Monica Dangler — Austin Animal Services Director
The City of Austin appointed Monica Dangler as Director of Austin Animal Services, with the role taking effect February 2, 2026.
She is the department director, not being represented here as a veterinarian. Public shelter pages reviewed for this guide do not provide a current named public veterinary appointment roster.
Nearby Shelter Jurisdiction Guides
Central Texas animal-service boundaries can change within a short drive. These guides are useful when an animal was found outside Austin Animal Center’s normal intake jurisdiction.
Austin-only quick guide
For the shorter city-focused version, see our Austin Animal Shelter guide . This Travis County page is intentionally broader and focuses more heavily on jurisdiction and county routing.
Pflugerville city limits
Pflugerville operates a separate city animal-welfare route. See our Pflugerville Animal Shelter & Control guide if the animal was found inside Pflugerville city limits.
North into Williamson County
For Georgetown and relevant Williamson County communities, use our Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter guide instead of assuming Austin intake applies.
Taylor, Texas
If the animal was found farther northeast in Taylor, see our Taylor Animal Shelter & Control guide for the local city shelter route.
Map to Austin Animal Center
Austin Animal Center is at 7201 Levander Loop, Building A, Austin, TX 78702. The map helps with directions only; check live hours, closure notices, intake capacity and pet availability before driving.
Official Austin & Travis County Animal-Service Links
The main facts are summarized in this guide so you do not have to open ten websites just to understand the process. Use these official links when you need live pet availability, a form, current capacity or final day-of confirmation.
Austin Travis County Animal Shelter FAQ
1. What is the official Austin Travis County animal shelter?
Austin Animal Center, operated by Austin Animal Services, is the municipal shelter serving the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County.
2. Where is Austin Animal Center located?
The shelter is located at 7201 Levander Loop, Building A, Austin, TX 78702.
3. What are Austin Animal Center adoption hours in 2026?
Walk-in adoption is currently listed daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The adoption line closes at 6 p.m., so arrive before 6 if you want to start an adoption that day.
4. How much does it cost to adopt from Austin Animal Center?
Current standard fees include $120 for puppies and small adult dogs under 30 lb, $80 for medium/large adult dogs, free senior dogs, $100 kittens, $80 adult cats and free senior cats. Small-animal fees vary by species. Special events can temporarily change these prices.
5. What do I need to adopt a pet?
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and present valid photo ID. Shelter animals are handled through an in-person application, while foster-pet profiles use the online “Adopt Me” application route.
6. Does Austin Animal Center serve every city in Travis County?
No. Austin Animal Services serves the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County, but several incorporated municipalities have separate intake or law-enforcement arrangements. Confirm the exact location where the animal was found.
7. How long does Austin Animal Center hold a stray pet?
Austin Animal Services currently states that stray pets are held for 72 hours before they may be released for adoption or transfer. Owners should reclaim as quickly as possible.
8. What number do I call for Austin Animal Protection?
Call 3-1-1 inside Austin or 512-974-2000 for City animal-service routing and unincorporated Travis County Animal Protection. Use 9-1-1 for an active life-safety emergency.
9. Can I surrender my pet to Austin Animal Center without an appointment?
Do not assume immediate intake is available. Austin Animal Services says shelter capacity can restrict non-emergency owner surrenders. Contact the Pet Resource Center at pet.resources@austintexas.gov and review the official rehoming page first.
10. Does Austin Animal Center offer public veterinary appointments?
Austin Animal Services provides municipal veterinary care for shelter animals and funds community services such as microchips, vaccines and spay/neuter through partner programs. The current public pages do not publish a general shelter-veterinarian consultation schedule, named public doctor roster or standard exam fee.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.