AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of people showed up on Saturday at Austin Animal Center during the city-run shelter’s "Hot Dogs and Cool Cats" adoption event.
Attendees got a free hot dog and free ice pop while they looked for their new four-legged companion. The shelter also waived adoption fees.
Intake at Austin’s city-run animal shelter was still closed on Saturday because its kennels are so full.
“What we’ve really struggled with, with a lot of other shelters in the nation, is our large dog population,” said Mary Brown, program manager of the customer service team and volunteer program at the Austin Animal Center. “We’re just seeing a lot of our large dogs stay here in kennel a lot longer than they have in the past. We’ve just really seen the needs of the community change. A lot of people might not have the capacity to own a large dog anymore.”
Brown said adoption is just one of many ways to help.
“Maybe you’re able to foster a dog for a short period of time, or we would love for you to come volunteer,” Brown said. “You can provide enrichment to our animals, lots of TLC, until they find that adopter.”
Austin Animal Center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.