San Marcos Animal Shelter Expands Partnership With Austin Pets Alive

“Austin Pets Alive! has been a great partner with us in the past, but their generous offer provides a whole new level of resources and commitment to place these cats in loving homes.”

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is expanding its partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, a rescue and adoption organization that has offered to receive all cats that come into the shelter and are not able to be adopted.

“This is an amazing blessing,” said Neighborhood Services Director Jeff Caldwell. “Austin Pets Alive! has been a great partner with us in the past, but their generous offer provides a whole new level of resources and commitment to place these cats in loving homes.”

The City of San Marcos Animal Shelter is a regional shelter in partnership with Hays County, and the cities of Kyle and Buda. Over the past year, the shelter has seen an increase in the live outcomes of animals at the shelter by 11 percent.

“While this is nowhere near where shelter staff wants to be, it is a step in the right direction,” Caldwell said. “Major operational changes, as discussed at the recent San Marcos Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meeting, take years to achieve. Our staff and regional team members are committed to continued efforts to increase live outcomes, reduce unwanted litters and expand alternate funding and partnership opportunities.”

Several rescue groups, including local groups such as PALS and PAWS, assist the shelter in its efforts to find homes for pets taken to the animal shelter.  These rescue partners, along with community support, are vital to the success of the shelter and increasing the live outcomes.

“The combination of rescue partners, foster homes, and donations are vital to the success of increasing live outcomes,” said Animal Services Manager Kara Montiel. “We are always in need of foster homes, and donations are often used to offset needed medical care and adoption fees so that more animals can find forever homes.”

For more information, or to donate or volunteer with the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter, contact animalservicesinfo@sanmarcostx.gov.