AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Animal Center (AAC) has temporarily closed intake as the shelter continues to experience critical capacity issues, the city of Austin said in a release on Monday.
AAC said the decision is effective Tuesday, July 2, as more animals have been coming into the shelter than going out. Intake is now restricted to emergencies, which includes animals that have life-threatening injury or illness, or animals that present a clear public safety risk.
Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the city said.
“Between June 24 and June 26, we took in 149 dogs and cats and only 124 left during that same timeframe,” Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland said. “This has been an ongoing pattern that has led to us having more animals than we have kennels. We started [Monday] morning with 24 dogs and five cats without an appropriate kennel.”
AAC intake will reopen when appropriate kennel space is available for all animals.
Residents who need assistance with an injured animal should call 311 and ask for an animal protection officer, rather than bring the animal to the shelter. If you have found a loose pet that is not injured, you are asked to visit AAC’s Lost and Found Pet website.
AAC remains open for adoption and reclaim Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All adoption fees are currently waived.
Last month, AAC placed 24 dogs in boarding at a cost of approximately $5,000 to $6,000 per week to alleviate overcrowding issues. The shelter has also launched an urgent placement list for dogs with the highest priority for placements.
Last year, an audit of the office that oversees AAC revealed significant issues, including dogs being kept in too-small cages, dirty conditions and strained relationships with stakeholders.
Since then, Bland said staff have made some changes, including not keeping dogs in cages and launching a finder-to-foster program that lets stray animals be placed in foster care immediately if their finder chooses to do so, allowing for more space in the shelter.
To look at the animals available for adoption, visit the AAC website.