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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Austin Animal Center provide free microchipping or ID tags?

Yes, if you are a Travis County Resident, you can get a free microchip and ID tag for you pet.  If your pet is not microchipped and/or does not have an ID tag, please come down to Austin Animal Services during the hours of 11am to 7pm to get a free microchip and/or ID tag for your pet.

How do I file an animal bite report?

All animal bites must be reported to Animal Protection. If medical attention has been received after a bite, download an Animal Bite Report and fax it to 512-978-0617.

What do I do if I make contact with a bat?

Please consult the What to Do about Bats pdf, which will provide all of the necessary information.

Where can I get advice on my pet's behavioral issues?

You can get pet behavior advice from ASPCA experts 24 hours a day, right from your computer. Simply type your pet’s behavior problem into the easy-to-use database, and you’ll receive step-by-step advice.

Foster

What are some of the potential risks of fostering an animal?
  • Owned pets and/or people could catch a disease or parasites from a foster animal
  • Owned pets and/or people could be injured by a foster animal
  • Sick animals could expire in foster care or have to return to the shelter for humane euthanasia
     
Can foster homes adopt their foster pets?

Yes. If you decide that you would like to adopt your foster pet, notify the foster coordinators as soon as possible. They will advise you how to proceed.

Do foster homes provide adopters for their foster pets?

The program encourages and empowers foster parents to find adopters for the pets in their care. However, this is not required. See ‘Finding Forever Homes’ section above for additional details.

How long does an animal need to spend in foster care?

The average time spent in foster care is 2-6 weeks, but may differ depending on the foster animal’s specific needs.

What do foster care providers need?
  • Regular internet and email access
  • Transportation to and from Austin Animal Center
  • Permission from the landlord if renting
  • Enough room in the foster home to isolate foster pets from owned pets
  • Up-to-date rabies vaccinations for all pets in the home
  • We also strongly encourage interested foster care providers to discuss fostering with their veterinarian, as their veterinarian may suggest additional vaccinations to protect owned pets
What does the shelter provide in order to help care for the foster animals?

Nursing cats and dogs and puppies and kittens are provided with food. Adult dogs and cats - due to their unique dietary needs - are not provided food. All vet care is provided by the shelter while it remains in foster care. Toys, bedding, litter and liter boxes, bowls, crates, etc are expected to be provided by the foster home.

What happens if a foster provider’s owned pet catches a disease from a foster pet?

Any disease or parasites contracted by the foster parent’s owned pet is the responsibility of the foster parent and his/her personal veterinarian.