Austin Animal Center temporarily restricts intake amid crowding issues

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Animal Heart has briefly restricted consumption of animals because it presently has greater than 700 canine on the shelter. This contains almost 70 of them dwelling in short-term pop-up crates because of area points.

Starting Sept. 13, AAC has acknowledged that consumption will happen in instances of emergencies corresponding to when an animal is injured or presents a transparent public security threat.

“We’re briefly limiting consumption now to make sure we will proceed to offer the extent of animal care that our neighborhood expects,” stated Chief Animal Providers Officer Don Bland. “When all animals in our care might be positioned in common kennels as an alternative of counting on short-term pop up crates, we will absolutely open once more.”

Since AAC turned a no-kill shelter in 2011, it has solely needed to prohibit consumption thrice: as soon as in 2020 because of COVID-19 and twice in 2016 because of capability points.

The shelter requested for the neighborhood’s assist on the finish of August in a nationwide Clear the Shelter occasion, and was capable of finding a brand new residence for 63 cats and 47 canine. Nevertheless, overcrowding stays a difficulty.

“Shelters nationwide are struggling. We actually want neighborhood members to foster or undertake a canine,” Austin Assistant Metropolis Supervisor Stephanie Hayden-Howard stated. “Sustaining our no-kill standing takes a village, and our metropolis shelter can’t do it with out you.”

Adoption charges are nonetheless being waived by the ACC and there will probably be a “Clear the Crates” occasion this Saturday, Sept. 17. The occasion kicks off at 10 a.m. and each canine that’s out there for adoption staying in a crate will probably be situated in a tent on the entrance garden.

For residents who need assistance with an injured animal, AAC suggests you:

• Name 311 and ask to talk with an Animal Safety Officer.
• Await the officer to return choose up the animal. Don’t deliver it to the shelter.

AAC is presently open for adoptions Monday via Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shelter will reopen for adoptions on Sundays starting Sept. 25.