The Austin Animal Center (AAC), the public shelter serving Austin and Travis County, is broadcasting an SOS for aid in the face of a severe space crunch that has them pleading for the community to open their homes to medium and large canines. A desperate call has been placed for fosters and adopters as the shelter grapples with an unprecedented overcrowding situation.
Struggling with capacity for more than a year, now heightened by new rules that prohibit crating dogs as a housing solution, the shelter's Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland admitted, "We have reached a crisis point," according to a statement granted to the City of Austin's official website. Bland has made it clear that the organization is gunning to relocate as many dogs as possible to foster or permanent homes to steer clear of potential euthanasia notices.
Overwhelmed with a headcount of 299 medium and large dogs at last count, the AAC exceeds its limit by 27 animals. With the clock ticking, the shelter waits to accommodate 12 more dogs rescued from a cruelty case, pushing them beyond crisis mode. "Our capacity limit takes into account doubling up dogs in the larger kennels, and half of our nonpublic building that should be used for court cases, quarantines, owner incarcerations, and hospitalizations, etc," Bland iterated.
In a bid to make space, the AAC has dropped all adoption fees and extended an open invitation for daily visits from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Immediate assistance is on offer for walk-in fosters until 6 p.m. each day this week, with a plea for a minimum commitment of two weeks for these medium/large dogs that need a temporary haven. Adding to the mix, a financial incentive is dangled to rescue affiliates ready to incorporate these dogs into their rescue missions, AAC informed.
The situation is urgent, and the AAC encourages anyone interested in fostering adopting, or representing a rescue, to get in touch directly. All pertinent inquiries for rescue partners and potential fosters or adopters can be addressed through their email at [email protected], paving the path for these dogs to find a reprieve from shelter life and into the welcoming arms of the community.
