Update: The Austin Animal Center has cage and kennel space again, after more than 300 pets left the shelter alive over the weekend. More than 200 pets were adopted over the weekend. One hundred were transferred to other animal rescue groups. And 25 were reunited with their owners.
Original Post (June 7, 2013): The Austin Animal Center, for the first time in its history, is not accepting new pets because they have surpassed capacity.
According to a city press release, the shelter has about 100 animals more than they can handle. The overcrowding is due to a lack of adoptions and an unusual amount of individuals surrendering their animals. Of the more than 1,000 pets currently available, only six were adopted Thursday.
A spokesperson said that the animals are arriving from around Travis County and Central Texas, not just Austin.
To alleviate the overflow, the animal shelter is waiving all adoptions fees through Sunday, June 9. Ausitnites looking to adopt a pet are encouraged to visit their website to browse the animals. The shelter is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m..
