Our shelter has more than 500 available cats and dogs every day, so we’re sure to have the right pet for your family. At Austin Animal Center, you can find all breeds, ages, and personality types. You can now can schedule an adoption appointment online to visit our animals in person!
Adoption appointments are for visiting animals currently at our shelter. Animals showing as IN FOSTER in their profile are not at the shelter, and therefore you don't need a shelter appointment to visit them (because they're not here, right!). If you are interested in a pet who is in a foster home, fill out a Visitor Profile and our team will provide you with information to contact the foster parent to learn more about the pet and set up a meeting.
Browse Available Pets
Steps to Adopt During COVID-19
1) Browse our adoptable pets to find a few that you are interested in learning more about*. Make note of their animal IDs (Ex. A123456).
2) If the pet/s you are interested in are in foster care, please complete a Visitor Profile and our team will provide you with information to contact the foster parent. An appointment is not needed for animals in foster!
3) If the pet/s you are interested in are in shelter, please complete the adoption application and then sign up for an adoption appointment.
4) Check your email for a confirmation (including your spam folder!). Please read the entire email, as it contains very important information that you will need to know before arriving to your appointment.
5) Come to your appointment! Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled time to get an introduction to the process. During your visit, adoption counselors will be available throughout the shelter to answer questions and if you’re ready, we can process an adoption that day!
*Please keep in mind while browsing available pets on our website, that their availability can change at any moment. A pet could be adopted, reclaimed by their owner, transferred to a rescue or made unavailable due to severe medical or behavior issues. We recommend choosing a few animals you'd like to learn more about and meet.
To see cats who need you most, visit our Cactus Cats page!
Adopting a Pet from Foster
Some of our animals may be in a foster home. To adopt an animal in foster you must complete a Visitor Profile. Once your profile is complete, you can contact the shelter at ASOanimaladoption@austintexas.gov and request the foster parent’s email to follow up with the foster directly for more information and to discuss next steps.
Please keep in mind that pets in our foster program are not available on a first come, first served basis, but potential adopters will be considered in the order in which they make contact with the foster care provider.
Not ready to adopt, but interested in fostering a shelter pet? Learn how here.
What to Bring for Adoptions
All you need to bring is a valid photo ID when you're ready to adopt. We accept Driver's license, US or International passport, Government or other official photo identification, and Mexican Consulate Cards.
Fees
AAC accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards except American Express. The adoption fee for cats and dogs is $75 and includes the following:
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Vaccines including the rabies vaccine if the pet is over four months
- A HomeAgain microchip
- An adjustable, nylon collar and tag (dogs only)
Important Documents
- View a sample adoption agreement to be signed and initialed at the time of adoption.
- View tips for adopting a cat here and tips for dog adopters here.
- View the medical care agreement here.
Other Important Information
Animals can be adopted during their state-mandated three-day stray hold. If you choose to adopt an animal on stray hold, you agree:
- The adoption will be voided if the animal is reclaimed during the stray period.
- If the animal is not picked up on the agreed-upon date and time (arranged at the time of adoption), custody will revert back to Austin Animal Center.
- To adopt any animal, you must come to the shelter in person. You cannot ‘hold’ an animal by calling or emailing.
- If an animal with a confirmed adopter is reclaimed, our team will contact the adopter immediately to let them know.
- Animals that appear online are not necessarily available for adoption. If you are interested in a certain animal, the best thing to do is come to the shelter and see if that animal is still here and available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption Groups
Specialty groups work to help our most at-risk animals.
The Desperate Housecats program has saved the lives of more than 1,700 of the center’s most difficult-to-adopt felines.
The Classic Canines group facilitates the adoptions of senior pets that have been displaced from their homes.
The Orange Dot Crew advocates for and works with dogs who struggle the most with shelter life.