Memorial Day flooding forced the evacuation of all animals from the Town Lake Animal Center, which functions as the headquarters for Austin Pets Alive! and provides overflow support for the Austin Animal Center.
On Monday, Austin Pets Alive! called for support from local animal lovers — and Austin responded in droves.
Concerned citizens lined up outside of the shelter with much-needed supplies and promises of dry, safe homes for the displaced animals. "We are overwhelmed by the support," APA! posted on Facebook Monday. "Thank you to everyone giving a dog or cat a dry place to sleep tonight."
The Austin Animal Center reports that 30 animals were sent home with new foster families during the time of crisis. "Everyone really came together today to make sure the homeless/displaced pets of Austin were taken care of," Austin Animal Center said.
Dogs that were not sent home with volunteers were safely housed in temporary kennels at the Animal Center's East Austin location on Levander Loop. "We transported 57 large dogs and successfully set up temporary housing for them at AAC," the center said in a post.
Austin Animal Center announced Tuesday that both facilities (its East Austin location and the overflow space) have reopened for adoptions, reclaims and foster pick up — but the struggle isn't over. Austin Animal Center is still above capacity by more than 50 animals, and both locations are in need of dry towels and volunteers to help with laundry services.
To help find homes for these animals, the Austin Animal Center is waiving adoption fees on Tuesday and Wednesday. Anyone interested in fostering an animal can fill out the online form with Austin Pets Alive! or reach out to the Austin Animal Center.
Austinites lined up outside of the shelter to take animals home for the evening.
