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Austin, TX

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Austin Animal Center

3.5 (246 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Cute promotion of who's still looking for their furever home
Christina H.

The Austin Animal Center (AAC) is super organized and has so many different options to choose from. When we arrived to the center, we had no idea where to even begin. Luckily, the employee that helped us was super helpful and cheerful. She explained how AAC's pet viewing system works, and even provided a useful (& accurate) map for us. You'll find dogs and cats of all sizes and occasionally, a chicken if you please. The kennels are kept pretty clean here compared to other shelters I have been to. Unfortunately, I can't speak for the adoption process itself, as we never found exactly what we were looking for. If you ever have any donations, such as gently used toys, comforters, dog supplies, etc, you can drop these off in the front.

Laarni C.

Service: I dropped off a momma cat for SNR, and the process was easy and quick--done in just 20 minutes during their 11 AM to 1 PM intake window. Process: 1. Use a QR code to check in. 2. Fill out a form with your contact information. 3. The staff takes your paper and your cat. 4. They return your blanket and trap after their internal intake. Staff: Ginger was fast and efficient, making the process smooth. Overall: I appreciate the important work they do at this pet resource center. A great experience with friendly and efficient staff.

Home is where the heart is
Laird A.

we would like to give The Austin Animal Center an enormous thanks for everything including giving my cats proper attention and care, providing them paperworks for transport and extending our reclaim days. Special Thanks to Melody Courtney for helping us with my 6 cats to go home. Thanks for going above and beyond and for giving us wonderful support. Thanks to Officer Billy Burgess and all the crew of Austin Animal Protection who helped trapped my cats during and after our mishap. We will be forever grateful!!!!

Pepper, dog adopted
Jessica T.

I have gotten a cat and a dog from this location during the summer when they waive adoption fees because they become over loaded with pets. I love both my animals and they made sure we were well informed of any issues they might have. Staff are friendly and helpful (they ask a lot of important questions to make sure you are a good fit) and the app they have is easy to use. 10/10 I would recommend looking for your best friend here.

The human who did not call me "eeew...what are YOU?" and called me "Let's go home!"
Elizabeth G.

This is where Miss Sophia came as a pup, abused and mangy. How wonderful for me! This place lets you find just the right pup and become a forever home! My pup needed extra TLC, but such a joy! The staff is amazing and the work that they, and the volunteers provide in caring for and training the animals is remarkable. They actually can tell you about the animals personality. Animals receive medical attention prior to discharge. Great experience and large turnover of animals...so find the one that's just right for you!

Tibby!

I recommend adopting from here! I frequented this shelter a number of times before I met and brought home my cat last month. She was 3 months old, so we brought her home as a foster with intent to adopt. When we brought her back for a spay (free!) it went extremely well. The incision site was super clean and the surgery was clearly preformed meticulously and prudently! She healed in no time! Reached out to the vet team a few times and they were so helpful. Now that I've gotten to know my kitty, I realize how relaxed and happy she was here when we met her. Honestly, I met with a few cats and every one I met with (even the apparently skittish or misbehaving cats) seemed relaxed and content with the staff and the environment, and all warmed up in a few minutes. It takes skill to create an environment where every cat seems generally happy, even at capacity. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Everything is kept clean and organized. There are always several volunteers floating around ready to answer questions, on week days and weekends alike. Process went very smoothly and everyone was incredibly friendly throughout the entire process. I found the PERFECT pet here! Something to add- I wasn't supposed to meet with my kitten when I did, she was too young to be handled as her immune system is still developing. This was explained nicely to me by a senior volunteer. I felt like I had really caused trouble and I was worried I had upset the staff but she was incredibly reassuring and provided information to make me feel at ease. No one likes feeling scolded, and this volunteer did an incredible job setting a clear boundary out of concern for the animal while acknowledging my remorse and consoling me. This is exactly the kind of person you want taking care of cats, truly. Patiently firm and naturally kind, who clearly cares about the health and safety of the animals there. Can't recommend enough if you're looking for a best friend :-)

Raquel G.

My husband and I recently adopted a dog from Austin Animal Center, and she's become the perfect addition to our little crew (already had a rescue cat and rescue dog). Thank you so much AAC for making the adoption process easy, simple and fun! Our new little lady has brought so much joy and love to our lives.

Syrine K.

I had bad experience with them, the lady works on customer service was her name lili she wasn't helpful at all, she was being racist to me because I have accent she was treating me like ungrown, she told that I need to go home and think more!! The cat department manager she was more helpful and nice atleast she tried to help !! It's totally waist of time and money I would rather buy from a breeder than supporting unhumain shelter administration like that .. Totally Racist, Shame on them !! They wants help only Hispanic Bcz they were people after us and they helped them .. If you can't treat a human right how your gonna treat a puppy right Ma'am LILY and her manager EVELLa, my first experience was horrible !! feel bad for those pets over there after I saw how they treat human ..

Sensei watching his favorite show ;) (adopted from Austin Animal Center)
Rebecca R.

Austin Animal Center deserves more than 5 stars in my book with all the awesome work they do..so kudos to all the Austin Animal Center staff & volunteers!! My family was blessed with our pit bull mix Sensei, who we adopted from Austin Animal Center 4 1/2 years ago when he was 2 yrs old. With our family never having a dog before we were nervous about the process & not sure on how we would choose the best dog for our family, especially with us having 3 kids in the house BUT adopting from AAC it made the process so easy for us! We would go to AAC & visit w/ all the dogs that were available for adoption & I love how each kennel has a "report card" for each dog listing helpful info on that specific dog like how long the dog as been there, personality traits , skills (house trained, knows basic commands like sit, stay, etc) & each kennel also has a green dot or sign which means it's ok for you to take that dog on a walk or to one of the areas to play w/ the dog to get a better idea on how the dog interacts w/ you. I really liked how there are lots of volunteers around so if you're needing help w/ getting a dog out of the kennel to walk they will help you or just help w/ any questions you may have. Helpful Tip!!!! -even if you are not wanting to adopt a new furry family member you can still visit the Austin Animal Center to visit the dogs who are patiently waiting for their forever homes & take them treats, take them out for a watch, play fetch.. This is what my daughter & I did on our most recent visit to AAC on 7/8/2017 since sadly we have lost our furry baby Sensei a few weeks ago & to honer his memory we we to Austin Animal Center to donate dog treats & to visit w/ the dogs. I read a few of the previous reviews about people having a bad experience w/ staff from Austin Animal Center but PLEASE DON'T let this stop you from adopting pets at Austin Animal Center..believe me I sometimes think animals are waaaay smarter than us humans sometimes:) & there really are awesome animals waiting & needing forever homes at AAC & speaking from personal experience pets really become our family & will bring so much to your family. Stay awesome Austin Animal Center...till our next visit!! -Rebecca out

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3 years ago

Very sweet staff, very easy process in getting my pet and making sure they were up to date with their treatments.

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Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Pets Alive!

3.3
(315 reviews)

Austin Pets alive saves the lives of 12,000 pets per year, who come through the Austin shelter --…read moreand countless more with their outreach to animals and organizations throughout Texas and the country. APA!'s mission is to promote and provide the resources, education, and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals. Their vision is that every shelter animal, in Central Texas and beyond, gets a true chance at the life they deserve. Austin Pets Alive! is not an average animal shelter. They pioneer comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia. They have a 95% animal save rate...the highest in the country. I volunteer as a dog walker every day. The dogs are well cared for, and they ensure that each dog gets walked 3 times a day. In addition, they participate in play year activities to make sure they get proper exercise and socialization. The kennels are always kept clean and hosed down after pet accidents. They have matchmaker services to make sure an adopted pet is compatible with their new owners. And they offer a lifetime of behavioral support, by dog behavior experts, for adopted dogs. Austin Pets Alive values their volunteers and hold appreciation meetings twice a year. The most recent one as at AGBG, with free pizza for everyone. They were voted best nonprofit for several years.

I dropped off my 10 week old kitten to get neutered at 8am. They told me to pick up later between 5…read more-5:45 pm. When I got there to pick up they told me that they hadn't even started the procedure yet. They finally finished up around 6:15. ***So they left a tiny kitten in a box with no food or water for 10 hours! The team there seemed overworked and not trained well. I found incompetence across the board at APA. Will never go back.

Gold Ribbon Rescue

Gold Ribbon Rescue

4.4
(26 reviews)

My experience with this rescue left me feeling disappointed due to a lack of transparency and…read morecommunication regarding the adoption process. I fully support the need for rescues to carefully screen potential adopters and ensure dogs are placed in safe, appropriate homes. However, I was not informed in advance that the home would be expected to be fully "dog-ready" on the day of the site visit. During the visit, concerns were raised about items such as shoes and visible cords, despite the fact that practical solutions were already available and could easily be implemented before a dog was brought into the home. Had the rescue clearly communicated its expectations beforehand, I would have gladly prepared accordingly. Instead, the process felt more focused on identifying deficiencies than on understanding whether I had a thoughtful plan to safely integrate a dog into my home. I also found the overall experience to be more adversarial than collaborative. I expected the visit to be a conversation about responsible dog ownership, daily routines, enrichment, training, and safety plans. While those topics were discussed, I left feeling judged rather than supported. I appreciate the important work that breed rescues do and respect their commitment to their dogs. My hope is that the organization will consider providing clearer guidance to applicants about home visit expectations so that prospective adopters can prepare appropriately and have a more positive experience.

UPDATE: After the long process of filing a complaint with the Texas Bar Association, we were…read moreextremely relieved to learn action was taken to ensure others do not have to endure the hell we went through with GRR. It doesn't bring back our Scout girl but feels like there was some justice at the end of the day. We continue to pray that Scout is in a good home, loved, and well cared for. Check the names of people leaving positive reviews with GRR's board members and you will find significant overlap. These are their "experts" who have no more qualifications than any other previous pet owner. You would think at the very least, that their medical expert would be a qualified vet, but you'd be wrong. They are the top experts because they've been doing this for x amount of years. I wish we would've listened to our vet when she told us she'd heard horror stories about this organization over her 35 year career in the industry but the heart wants what the heart wants. We so badly wanted to see the good in this organization and for them to do what was morally right. Please don't go in as naively as we did. TL;DR- avoid at all costs! These are some of the most unprofessional people that I've ever had to deal with. Your "team of experts" are board members with strong opinions. No one with any formal training in veterinary behavior, medicine, or adoption. Every decision about the dog is made by a group of 10 or so Karens who somehow feel empowered after acting solely in their best interests with zero regard as to what's most beneficial for the dog. It still makes me nauseous a year later. I strongly urge anyone considering Golden Retriever Rescue (GRR) to read their reviews and research past lawsuits before donating, adopting, or fostering. We had a dog in our home for a year--loved and cared for her like family--only to be forced to return her after GRR launched a prolonged legal battle. I couldn't bring myself to drop our baby off for them to pick up but I know my husband was sobbing, our attorney was sobbing, and the dog was audibly crying out as my husband was forced to walk away. Despite advice from three attorneys that our offers were more than fair, GRR refused to compromise. Their founder, an attorney, used her legal background to push the matter through court. Even after we won an initial motion, we were facing over $15,000 in legal fees and emotional exhaustion. We simply couldn't keep fighting. The reasons they gave for reclaiming the dog had nothing to do with her well-being and everything to do with personal bias. Internal emails we obtained (photos attached) show their decision was based on disliking us--not any failure to care for the dog. They cited things like "renaming her", asking about delaying spaying based on science, asking questions, and a 1 day late foster report (which we immediately corrected). To make matters worse, when we tried to resolve things peacefully, they refused to return the dog's medicine and even attempted to involve the police. Their behavior made it painfully clear they prioritized control over compassion. Disturbingly, GRR's founder was also breeding and selling golden retrievers for profit during her time as president of this nonprofit--raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest and potential tax fraud. This organization may not be what it claims to be. We are heartbroken and disgusted. Please think twice before working with GRR if you care about ethical practices and the true welfare of animals.

Austin Pets Alive! Thrift - Burnet

Austin Pets Alive! Thrift - Burnet

4.7
(155 reviews)
$

Austin Pets Alive! is near and dear to my heart because of the many animal lives they save. This…read morereview is a long time coming as I have many draft reviews that I am still working on getting posted. As the mother of a rescue dog who was going to be euthanized, I am 100% behind everything this thrift store stands for. In fact, every 6 months when I overhaul my closet, I donate A LOT of clothing, shoes, and accessories to the store in support of the cause. I also like to swing by as part of my North Loop jaunt (every few months, hit up North Loop stores and pubs---to include APA!) to make purchases. Found quite a few cute things here over the years not only for myself but friends and family. They've got an amazing selection of items and each time I pop in they seem to have loads more. Support this local shop in saving animal lives. Trust me, you will find something to buy!

When my aunt was alive every Christmas she would give me pieces of depression glass as a gift…read more These pieces were special to me because over the years she thrifted and amassed a fairly large collection. My collection has dwindled over the years through breakage. So I was thrifting looking for pink depression glass. The Burnet Road location is large, well organized with two-stories of items. It is filled with just about anything that you can imagine. Clothing...they have it! Shoes...they have it! Vintage items...they have it! Kitchen and house wears...they have it! Unfortunately, no pink depression glass. I will definitely return to thrift here due to their large selection of things. In addition, their prices are very reasonable. First stop Austin Pets Alive! - Burnet. I learned that all net sale proceeds go directly to support Austin Pets Alive!'s lifesaving programs for animals most at risk. Their clear mission is saving animals' lives, which is so heartwarming. According to staff, Austin Pets Alive! is known for pioneering innovative programs that help keep pets out of euthanasia and place them into loving homes. The Burnet Road location plays a critical role in sustaining those efforts by serving as a critical funding source for the organization's work across Central Texas.

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

3.5
(18 reviews)

We've adopted 2 dogs from HoTLR over the years (and have had 10 Labradors over the years - most…read morerescues) the latest was in Jan 2024. Our second Lab from HoTLR was used as a puppy mill prior to being rescued...like our last Lab She has a number of concerning health issues... Broken teeth, tumor adjacent to one of her anal glands, and She has such a severe limp, massive swelling in her elbows and has such a difficult time negotiating steps we had her limbs radiographed. The results? Severe bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbows - this girl is in pain ALL of the time. We have a 1 story house, with steps down to the back yard; we walk her around to the backyard now to relieve herself. Walks in the "neighborhood" are very short and only to "lubricate" her elbows. She does love to retrieve, but becomes disinterested quickly because of the pain she's in (our Vet prescribed an anti-inflamitory, 2 different types of pain meds, & glucosamine. We also give her turmeric, hoping it would help). We have had this sweetest of Labs for a little over 9 weeks - this week will be our last. We won't let her suffer any longer. SHAME ON YOU HEART Of TEXAS LAB "RESCUE?" for NOT DOING the right thing by not having our sweet dog euthanized when you obtained her. It's not about the adoption fee, or the Vet costs, it's about the DOG, and her quality of life. These folks search shelters and more all over Texas to get their dogs. That's where we'll go in the future.

Scam or inept? They…read moregladly accepted the $25 app fee with a promise on their web site to contact us "typically within a week". After 2 weeks no response. The 3rd week my wife called and left a message that we were still had not heard from them. They finally did call back and conducted a brief phone interview with a promise to schedule a "Meet & Greet". No further response since then. After another 3 weeks of waiting on HOTLR we adopted a lab from another organization. Their poor business practices prevented them from placing one more lab in a good home. I'm, sure their intentions are good but, I recommend you consider other lab rescue organizations.

Austin Animal Center - animalshelters - Updated July 2026

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