Austin Animal Services

I came in to adopt a cat and was continuously encouraged to adopt from the "E" area - a series of single cat kennels without public access. I read the description of a cat who was captured as a stray and taken in by a foster who had "made great progress" in socializing the cat. So I adopted that cat for 80$+20$ donation. I got the cat home, the cat disappeared under a bed immediately. No big deal, there was not much in the bedroom and no one was sleeping in it. I put a blink camera down to monitor without disturbance and left the cat alone. It did not move for 6 hours. At about 3AM the cat emerges from the bed and begins knocking things over in the bedroom. Not much I can do about it, so I continued to monitor and noticed it hadn't had any of the food or water I left out. Around 6AM it's time to get up for work and the cat is nowhere to be found. Eventually I see a tail hanging down from behind my bookshelf. The cat has wedged himself behind it and has not eaten or drank anything still. Worried, I tried to move the shelf to free him and that's when the cat jumped on me and began scratching and biting. It also attempted multiple times to jump out of the window while it was closed - causing it's head to hit the glass over and over. I exited the room, prepared the cat carrier and donned my thick leather gloves. I spent another 20 minutes trying to wrestle the cat into the carrier while it attacked me. I contacted the shelter when they opened and they asked me to bring the cat to intake. They processed this like I was surrendering my pet, when actually I was bringing back a cat they NEVER should have adopted out in the first place - the cat was not ready whatsoever. Of course, I am out $100. I will never adopt from AAC again. They are so eager to get rid of an animal they will put you and the animal through an insane amount of trauma.

The absolute best!! Everyone I encountered seemed to love the animals and their jobs. We are so grateful for our new pup and they made the process make so much sense, and with so much kindness. Please go find your next furever friend here!

I came here to get a cat last Friday and fell head over heels in love with one of the desperate house cats. She had been in the shelter 6 months and was really struggling with her environment. She has a chronic eye condition and the shelter was great at educating me on how bad the issue is, how much of a financial burden the issues could be and what to look for. They also prepared me for worst case scenarios with her issues and how to prevent it. Dolly has been with us a week now and we can’t imagine our little family without her!! She loves people and has made many new friends in the past week who all love her very much and have already enthusiastically offered to pet sit. I’m sad that she was overlooked so many times because of the changes in her eyes but I will be forever grateful that I was the one who got to take her home ❤️ Pictures of our baby for reference

Got my cat here two month ago and she is so sweet and cute. No health issues aside from a cold when I got her. She came with all her vaccines and a sturdy carrier.

“We adopted Bailey three weeks ago, and she’s been such a joy. She’s playful, curious, and full of energy—always ready to explore, play with her toys, and make friends with other dogs. Bailey is the sweetest dog with a touch of sass, and we absolutely adore her.”