Shelter life can be stressful—and not just because of space. With so many dogs in our care, we simply can’t give each one the enrichment and mental exercise they truly need every day without some help.
That’s where enrichment toys come in. Long-lasting chews, puzzle toys, and snuffle mats aren’t just fun—they’re essential tools that help keep our dogs’ minds busy and stress levels down. Without them, we see pacing, barking, and other signs of boredom and anxiety.
Want to help?
We’re especially in need of:
🧠 Durable chews
🧠 Puzzle toys
🧠 Lickmats, Kongs, and snuffle mats
Every donation makes a difference for a dog stuck in a kennel.
https://bit.ly/aacenrichmentwl
Happy National Puppy Day from some of the tiniest tail-waggers at Austin Animal Center! 🐾💛
We couldn’t fit all our adorable pups into one video, but here’s a montage of a few sweet faces under our roof.
Want to help them?
🐶 Adopt: Give a puppy the forever home they deserve.
🏠 Foster: Open your home (and heart!) to a pup in need—we provide supplies and support!
🎁 Donate: Help us stock our foster program with formula, food, toys, and more for these fast-growing babies!
Whether you adopt, foster, or donate, you’re helping these puppies find their way.
Donate supplies on site or through our wishlist: https://bit.ly/aacfosterwishlist
Learn more about our foster program here: https://www.austintexas.gov/services/foster-pet
🚨 We are out of space, and we need your help 🚨
Austin Animal Center is at critical capacity for dogs. Every kennel is full, and when space runs out, there’s no magic door to house more animals behind. We urgently need adopters and fosters to help clear space so we can continue helping animals in the community who need us.
We currently have 293 adoptable medium/large dogs, and 78 adoptable small dogs!
🐾 Not sure if you’re ready to commit?
Try our VIP adoption program, which lets you bring a dog over 40 pounds home for 30 days before making a final decision. It’s a great way to see if a pet is the right fit for your family!
🏡 Fostering saves lives!
By giving a pet a break from the shelter, you open up a kennel for another animal in need. Whether for a few days or a few weeks, every foster makes an impact. Kitten/puppy season is right around the corner, and we will see thousands of them in the coming months!
We can provide supplies and medical care while you care for these animals. Foster applications will be fast tracked during this crisis.
🐶 Remember, shelter dogs need time to decompress from this stressful environment. The rule of 3s helps set realistic expectations for fosters and adopters:
3 Days – To adjust to their new environment
3 Weeks – To settle into routine
3 Months – To feel at home
Come adopt or foster today, we’re open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.!
For 161 days, Maeve (A914253) has been waiting for her second chance. When she first arrived, she was scared and unsure—but thanks to the patient dedication of staff and volunteers, she has come out of her shell and shown us what a truly special dog she is.
Maeve is house-trained, a loose-leash walker, and loves a good adventure. She can be a little shy with new people but warms up quickly, especially with treats and patience. Once she trusts you, she’ll be by your side, offering her paw for extra snacks.
Maeve would do best in a calm home where she can continue building confidence.
Come meet her any day from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and see if she’s the right match for you!
Dinosaur (A902357) is ready to make a splash in a forever home! 💦
This goofy, lovable boy has been at the shelter for 319 days and is on the urgent placement list. He’s smart, playful, and always up for an adventure—but he also loves curling up in his crate for a nap after a good adventure.
Dinosaur is a fun-loving pup who adores water, but his first time in a big pool didn’t go quite as planned...
Despite his playful, happy-go-lucky nature, he needs a calm home with no kids where he can feel secure. He’d do best as an only dog but could live with a calm female dog after a slow introduction.
After nearly a year in the shelter, it’s time for Dinosaur to find his people. Come meet him any day from 11 AM - 7 PM!
When sweet Mariah (A923101) arrived, she was in rough shape—mange, tooth issues, and worms had taken a toll on her tiny body. Thanks to our dedicated vet staff, she’s been on a treatment plan and making a great recovery.
Through it all, her tail has never stopped wagging, and she’s never met a stranger.
Today, Mariah is looking and feeling so much better. Just check out her glow-up! 💛
How does Sadie Mae (A893294) like her toys? Shaken, not stirred. 🍸🐾
This girl is soaking up the good life in her foster home, where she’s mastered the art of playtime and cozy couch snuggles. Sadie Mae is house-trained, polite, and loves meeting new people on her walks—though she’s just as happy to burrow into blankets for a relaxing night in.
She’s a pro at lounging, enjoys gentle strolls (cars and busy streets aren’t really her vibe), and absolutely thrives on love and attention.
Contact her foster today to set up a meeting!
https://bit.ly/41xgW71
There’s so much more to the Austin Animal Center than just adoptions—and thanks to ATXN, you can see some of it firsthand! 🎥
From providing medical care to lost and injured animals to supporting pet owners through community programs, our work goes far beyond simply finding homes for the animals here.
We’re incredibly grateful to ATXN for helping us share this behind the scenes look into some of our operations.
If you're curious about other aspects of AAC, let us know!
Meet Jack Sparrow (A922278)!
Jack’s journey started when he was found abandoned in a box at an emergency clinic. He was not in good shape, but thanks to the quick action of our incredible vet staff, he’s now on the road to recovery.
His left eye has been removed but it hasn’t slowed him down one bit! This playful, friendly boy is still full of energy, curiosity, and affection—just needs to work on his depth perception.
Jack will be ready for adoption once his stitches are removed in a few days.
Sherlock Bones (A921111) & Bark Twain (A921107) have been at the shelter since January 10th—way too long for two adorable puppies! 🐾
These littermates are only 12 pounds now but will likely grow into medium/large dogs. Unlike their namesake's they’re not big talkers, staff reports they hardly bark ever (and are happy to entertain themselves!)
Playful, well-mannered, and full of potential, these two are ready to find their forever homes!
Come meet them any day from 11 AM - 7 PM! 🏡✨
Sprout (A920584) is looking for his match!
This 6-month-old bundle of energy is all about playtime, cuddles, and fun. Whether he's challenging you to a game of tug-of-war or curling up for snuggles, he’s always full of love. He thinks he’s a lap dog, and honestly? We won’t tell him otherwise.
Sprout would thrive in an active home where he can get plenty of playtime and affection. If you’re looking for a goofy, loving pup to brighten your days, come meet Sprout this week!
Don't think Sprout is right for you? Stop by and find your perfect Paw-lentine any day this week from 11am-7pm! 🐾❤️
Our foster pets need your help! 🐾
Fostering helps free up space in the shelter, but we provide supplies to make sure every foster pet is set up for success. Right now, we’re running low on essentials like food, crates, litter, and toys.
Check out our wishlist or drop off supplies at the shelter. Every item makes a difference!
https://bit.ly/aacfosterwishlist
City of Austin & Travis County Animal Services
