Animal Shelter Exceeds Goal With 131 Adoptions To Forever Homes

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) exceeded its December goal of 120 new adoptions with a total of 131 pets being placed in their forever homes during the Holiday Adoption Special. 

These were pets at the shelter or in foster care who were already spayed or neutered and could go home to their new family the same day.

“We had some big adoption highlights including guinea pigs Thumper and Flower finding their new family, pup pals Madison and Baylor being adopted together and already loving their new life, five barn cats headed off to work, and 18 pets being adopted from foster homes,” said Animal Shelter Supervisor Christie Banduch.  “It was a true success for our animals, for their new families, and for our staff who work tirelessly to find permanent, loving homes for each of our furry or feathered friends.”

The shelter thanks the public, volunteers, foster families, and rescues for making this adoption effort a huge success. 

Adoption Special & Curbside Service Underway as Facility Closes Until January 12

The SMRAS will be closed to the public until January 12, along with all other City of San Marcos facilities, to protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19 following the holidays. 

However, all animals at the shelter will continue to receive quality care and adoption fees will be reduced to $21 through January 11.

All transactions including adoptions, fosters, and intake/reclaim for lost pets will be handled outdoors and curbside while the shelter is closed to the public.

Visitors are asked to look for instructional signs in front of the doors to the adoption center or intake/reclaim. Appointments are preferred and can be scheduled using Waitwhile application links:

• For Adoptions & Fosters:  https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/smrasadoption
• For Lost & Found Pets:  https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/animalreclaim

For adoption details and application, visit https://sanmarcostx.gov/3259/Adoptable-Animals.

Additional Foster Homes Needed

Due to limited staffing and volunteers at the shelter as a result of social distancing, our pets will be well-cared-for, but would benefit greatly from the fun and attention provided in a foster home.

“We are looking for fosters through January 12, but any amount of time that you can open your heart and home to a loving pet will provide a great service to our community and our animals,” stated Banduch. 

Fast Foster Facts:

• Basic medical care, food, & a leash/collar or litter are provided with each foster. You just provide the love!
• Any pet currently available for adoption is available to foster. We are most in need of fosters for adult cats and adult dogs.
• You don’t have to live in San Marcos to foster; however, we do request that you have reliable transportation and live within an hour’s distance, in case of emergency.
• Fall in love with your foster? If you qualify to adopt, we would love to make that happen.  We call it ‘foster graduation!’
• View more details & our foster app here: https://sanmarcostx.gov/2885/Become-a-Foster We approve applications within 48 hours or faster.

Lost and Found Pets

The community is asked to help limit the number of stray animals entering the shelter and help reunite lost pets and owners by utilizing online resources such as the Lost and Found Pets of Hays County Facebook page, Nextdoor, and Finding Rover.

Please visit the SMRAS webpage for tips and links: http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/3260/Lost-Found. 

Animal Protection Officers will continue to respond to calls for aggressive, ill, or injured animals, trapped wildlife, and bite cases.

For lost/found pets or officer dispatch during normal business hours, please call 512.805.2655.  Emergency animal services are available outside normal business hours by calling the San Marcos Police Department non-emergency line at 512.753.2108.

For additional adoption information, contact the Animal Shelter at 512.805.2657 or email animaladoptions@sanmarcostx.gov. For information on fostering a pet, email foster@sanmarcostx.gov.