At AAC, we know that pets are part of the family. We offer resources for City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County residents to make it easier to keep your pet safe, healthy, and at home.


Free Microchips

Microchips are the easiest way to get pets back home. AAC offers free microchips for dogs and cats belonging to residents of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. We also offer free pet ID tags!

Microchips are tiny implants placed under a pet's skin. Microchips do not track pets but they do contain a unique number that can then be linked back to the owner information in a database. 

Visit us Monday-Friday from 11 am to 7 pm for a free microchip and pet ID tag. All dogs must arrive on leash and cats must be contained in secure carriers. 

Transportation limitations? We’ll come to you! Call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 to request a microchip from an Animal Protection Officer. 

Free Rabies Vaccines
Texas State Law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. AAC hosts regular microchipping events which often include free rabies vaccines for dogs and cats. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the next event!

Community Spay/Neuter Programs

Spay and neuter improves a pet health and behavior, curbs pet homelessness, and can save a pet owner money. AAC funds free and low-cost services to make spay and neuter accessible to every pet owner and community cat caretaker in Austin/ unincorporated Travis County.

Owned Pet Spay and Neuter Free Days

Austin Animal Center funds free spay and neuter surgeries, microchips, and vaccines for owned pets through Emancipet free day clinics

Included with the surgery:

Rabies vaccine (dogs and cats 3 months and older) DHPP (for dogs 6 months and younger) FVRCP (for cats 6 months and younger) Microchip (unless already chipped) Post-surgery pain medication

Free day clinics are for residents of Austin and unincorporated Travis County.  

Spay/Neuter Vouchers

AAC offers free spay/neuter vouchers to use at a participating Emancipet locations. To receive a voucher, visit AAC Mon-Fri from 11am-7pm; call 311; or email pet.resources@austintexas.gov for more info. Vouchers are for dogs and cats residing in Austin or unincorporated Travis County. 

Community Cats

Shelter-Neuter-Return (SNR): Through a partnership program with Austin Humane Society, eligible healthy community cats brought to Austin Animal Center are transferred to Austin Humane Society, where they are sterilized, vaccinated and returned to their home territory. Learn more about SNR

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): AAC funds community cat sterilization and vaccines through a partnership with Austin Humane Society. Learn more about Community Cats

Outside Austin/Travis County? Visit TNR Texas for a comprehensive list of community cat related resources available to Texas residents!

Fencing Assistance

The City of Austin has an anti-tethering ordinance which means dogs cannot be left tied up outside. AAC has a fencing assistance program through Animal Protection to support pet owners in keeping their pets safe and secure.  

Need fencing assistance? Complete the fencing assistance application to make a request.

We also gratefully accept fencing donations which we share with owners who need to correct their tethering violations.

For questions, contact AAC’s Resource Officer at (512) 978-0519 for more information.

Dog House Assistance

Need dog house assistance? Complete the dog house assistance application to make a request. 

We also gratefully accept dog house donations which we share directly with community members. 

For questions, contact AAC’s Resource Officer at (512) 978-0519 for more information.