Overcapacity Animal Center waives adoption fees

Due to overcrowding at the Austin Animal Center, all adoption fees for dogs and cats that are ready to go – meaning they have been microchipped, vaccinated and either spayed or neutered – are currently being waived. The shelter has experienced a dramatic increase in the intake of lost, stray and abandoned pets over the last two months, and with shortages of more than 24 dog kennels and 36 cat kennels, the shelter is significantly overcapacity. In a statement from the city, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer Lee Ann Shenefiel said, “We desperately need the community to adopt or foster a pet so we can free up space to help pets that need special care.” For those who want to help but cannot adopt, the center is encouraging people to consider fostering a pet. The center also wants to remind owners of lost pets that they may attempt to identify a pet by checking the photos posted on the center’s website or Facebook page.