The Best Austin, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025

Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Pets Alive! is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal shelter pioneering comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia. We provide public adoption services for companion animals which includes lifetime behavior support, as well as community support in re-homing or obtaining resources for companion animals through our Human and Animal Support Services program.

Austin Bulldog Rescue

ABR is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of unwanted English Bulldogs, education of owners on responsible dog ownership, and education of the public on the English Bulldog breed. ABR takes in adoptable English Bulldogs from animal shelters, other rescue groups, and owners who can no longer properly care for their English Bulldogs. We provide for their medical and behavioral needs. Considering the Bulldog's background and your family's needs, we intend to make the best match. Every Rescue Bulldog is different: personality, temperament, energy, comfort with kids and other animals, medical needs, and more. We take all of these factors into consideration when making a furever-home match. We take our responsibility of finding forever homes for Rescue Bulldogs very seriously. All our rescued dogs live with families in foster homes in Austin, Texas. We often operate statewide and occasionally take in dogs from other areas of Texas, but we primarily service the Austin/NW San Antonio area. We do not run a shelter that you can visit.

Austin Animal Center

Austin Animal Center is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County, providing shelter to thousands of animals annually as well as providing animal protection and pet resource services. We accept stray and owned animals regardless of age, health, species or breed. Our goal is to place all adoptable animals in forever homes through adoption, foster care, or rescue partner groups. Animal Services has numerous programs and partnerships designed to help pets in the shelter, in the community, and in your home.

Acres of Love Animal Rescue

Our rescue is located in Southeastern Blanco County, Texas, where unclaimed pets from Blanco County Lost and Found Pets' Facebook page are housed and cared for until a new, forever home and family can be located. This is only after all resources have been exhausted to locate the owner. Acres of Love Animal Rescue is a no-kill rescue, which means no pet is killed due to lack of space. Many of our pets come here without ever having exposure to human companionship and care. With time, love and positive guidance, our pets are able to develop trusting, bonding relationships with people and live happy lives in forever homes. Community programs, workshops, and clinics are a few of the resources available to have area pets spayed, neutered, microchipped, and vetted as necessary for the well-being of every pet and pet owner. Please check out available programs and see how we may help you and your pet(s) stay together. The adoptable pets you see are loving, fully vetted sweethearts that are currently seeking their forever homes. Please adopt from a shelter or rescue and you will be saving multiple lives by adopting just one pet!

Highland Lakes Canine Rescue

Highland Lakes Canine Rescue is a non-profit organization designated as a 501-c(3) with the IRS. We are managed by a volunteer board of directors and operate entirely on private donations and eligible grants. Highland Lakes Canine Rescue was founded in 1999 as Highland Lakes SPCA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, by community members who wanted to rescue homeless dogs in the Central Texas region. HLCR initially started as a “foster only” organization. However, through generous community support, a location was found near Marble Falls, Texas and HLCR became a no-kill dog shelter. Since then HLCR has built a kennel facility, outdoor pens and walking trails, has a staff and resident caretaker, and is blessed with an active and passionate group of volunteers who work tirelessly supporting HLCR and its mission. In 2019, we changed our name from Highland Lakes SPCA to Highland Lakes Canine Rescue to more appropriately reflect our focus and mission.

Caldwell County Animal Coalition

Caldwell County Animal Coalition, CCAC, is a 501C3. Our purpose is to advocate and educate for animal welfare in Caldwell County. CCAC’s goals include hosting and promoting educational workshops and low-cost/no-cost clinics to help citizens be better stewards towards their animals.

A.D.O.P.T. - American Dog Owners for Proper Training

San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter

The Adoption Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m, and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Wednesday and Sunday for deep cleaning and animal enrichment. The Intake/Reclaim office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Those dropping off stray animals, owner surrenders, and owner reclaims are encouraged to call or email to make an appointment. If you found a stray dog or cat, please call 512-805-2655 for resources to help get the pet back home, or check our Lost/Found list.

Service Dogs Inc.

ABOUT US For 35 years, Service Dogs, Inc. has transformed unwanted dogs into lifelines for Texans living with significant challenges. PROGRAMS Hearing Dogs: Alert their deaf partners to essential sounds Courthouse Facility dogs: Help abused children and other victims of trauma find their voice in court Service Dogs: Perform a variety of assistive behaviors for their mobility challenged partners first responder Facility dogs: Support First Responder resiliency HISTORY A New Life for Shelter Dogs 1988 | Attorney Sheri Soltes creates Texas Hearing Dogs with the double mission of helping people live better lives and using shelter dogs instead of breeding. Training utilized positive reinforcement in contrast to traditional industry methods using force. Expanding Services 1991 | After a request from an individual with a spinal cord injury, we expand to train Service Dogs. New name: Texas Hearing & Service Dogs, Inc. We continue to provide all dogs and lifetime follow up free of charge. Helping Child Victims 2015 | SDI introduces our Courthouse Facility Dog program to serve help our littlest victims find their voice in court. We train them to work with Victims' Services staff within District and County Attorneys' offices. Dogs like Sumi, support children during forensic interviews and on the witness stand. Heroes for Heroes 2018 | In response to a District Fire Chief's plea for help with first responder suicides, we created our First Responder Facility Dog program. These dogs work full time helping build resiliency among firefighters, paramedics, hospital staff and law enforcement agencies. First responders suffer from a suicide rate 30% higher than the general public. Emergency Services Facility Dogs help destigmatize mental health. Training Vets to Train Service Dogs 2024 | We are building a Veterans Training Program. Newly adopted shelter dogs will live with specially selected Veterans who will train them foundation behaviors using our positive training techniques. This win-win program provides veterans with job skills, the therapeutic benefits of the unconditional love of a dog and the pride of making an impact on the life of the disabled clients who eventually receive the dog they trained.

Cuz i Matter Animal Rescue

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (PAWS) was founded in Kyle, Texas in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization providing care and love to homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in Central Texas. We are a no-kill shelter that believes in second chances! At PAWS, companion animals are given medical attention, care, and love for however long it takes for us to find them a loving home. While the challenges are great, with the help of your donations and grants, we make a difference in how our four legged friends are treated and, ultimately, make the world a more humane place for all. PAWS embraces the animals we care for today and plans for those we will care for in the future. We are grateful to all those who help and are part of the solution as we move forward with our mission. What We Do PAWS is relentless in our effort to save lives and change lives. Our efforts in that regard include: • Rescuing animals from municipal shelters as well as offering owner surrender services. • Ensuring each animal in our care receives all necessary veterinary care. • Providing spay or neuter surgeries to our adoptable animals to do our part to resolve the pet overpopulation crisis. • Providing a lifelong commitment to our adoptable pets to ensure they always have a safe place to call home. • Temperament testing before adoption, allowing for better placement of pets into a new home. • Placing an emphasis on enrichment activities for animals while in our care. • Providing behavior assistance to all newly adopted pets. • Visiting local community groups and schools to educate our community on responsible pet ownership. • Holding offsite adoption events to get our pets the exposure they deserve to help get them adopted.

Final Frontier Rescue Project

We are a volunteer-run organization, and every donation goes to the care of the dogs. Our main expenses are veterinary care, boarding, and training. Your donation allows us to provide care and treatment to meet each individual dog's needs. Established in 2018 Shelters have killed dogs we loved. The need is huge, and we had to act. We are long-time advocates for No Kill animal sheltering, and we’ve been rescuing dogs and cats, fostering, and volunteering for many years. We started the nonprofit Indie Institute (EIN 83-1845872) and its rescue effort, Final Frontier Rescue Project, because we saw the need for a rescue that would act on the values that every life matters and every dog deserves a chance. Animal sheltering is still caught in the old animal control mindset, and that means many, many dogs are killed every day, and many rescues triage by only saving the easiest, most immediately adoptable dogs. We believe that their worth and their desire to live is not somehow less because they are scared, or old, or traumatized, or sick or injured, and so, we often save dogs when other rescues have said no. We do our best to give each and every dog the help they need to find a safe, loving, happy home. We do not use or allow handling or training tools/methods that cause fear or pain. We have seen that when given the time, space, care, and kindness they need, dogs can astonish us with their capacity to heal.

Pflugerville Pets Alive!

Pflugerville Pets Alive! (PPA!) is a 501(c) 3 (nonprofit) organization run exclusively by volunteers. We are currently focused on helping the homeless pets of Pflugerville to be healthy and find safe and happy homes, establishing programs that benefit the pets in the Pflugerville Animal Shelter, and informing the community of Pflugerville that they can find their next pet with Pflugerville Pets Alive! While our primary goal is Pflugerville, we are able help within 50 miles of the city; anything outside that area will require special permission.

Love And Puppy Paws Dog Rescue

LAPP Dog Rescue's Goals Rescue abandoned, abused, unwanted, stray, and neglected dogs from the streets and homes in South and Central Texas. Provide educational outreach to South and Central Texas communities regarding spay and neuter, heartworm prevention, and microchipping. Decrease the number of dogs picked up off the streets and surrendered to overpopulated animal control facilities to reduce euthanasia due to space restraints, behavioral issues, and/or medical issues.

Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation Texas and Oklahoma

The Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation (IGRF) is dedicated to helping Italian Greyhounds in need of our care. We have a national network of VOLUNTEERS that make our mission possible. This website caters to Oklahoma and Texas specifically. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and we rely on donations to keep the rescue machine running. As a foster-based Rescue, our volunteers and foster families are the foundation and most important aspect of our ability to do what we do-without foster families we can't take in orphans that need our help. All of our IGs live as members of a family until their forever home comes along. They are all fully vetted and any medical issues are addressed and disclosed to potential adopters. Education about this wonderful and quirky breed is a very important part of what we do as well. This breed IS NOT for everyone. Please ask lots of questions and browse all of our IG-related materials to help decide if an Italian Greyhound is the right dog for you!

Austin Dog Rescue

Austin Dog Rescue (ADR) has been rescuing and finding homes for homeless dogs since 2006. In the summer of 2007 Austin Dog Rescue applied for and received its 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit status. With our careful placement and commitment to being our dogs' lifelong advocate, we have assisted thousands of homeless dogs throughout Central Texas. We are an all-volunteer organization and have no paid employees. All our dogs are housed and cared for by foster caregivers in a home setting. We focus on rescuing dogs that will fit in to most homes, but we also save dogs that may have medical issues other rescues are unable to help.

Austin Boxer Rescue

GALT-Central Texas - Greyhound Adoption League of Texas Inc.

GALT-Central Texas is a chapter of Greyhound Adoption League of Texas Inc., a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are passionate about Greyhounds and our mission is to find the perfect home for these beautiful, sweet, gentle dogs! We place all dogs in foster homes upon coming into our group. This helps us get to know the dog and their personality before they go to their home. We pride ourselves in helping you pick the perfect dog. While the dogs are at their foster home, they are taken to the veterinarian to get spayed or neutered, all their shots, have their teeth cleaned, and heartworm tested. During this time, they are also evaluated for injuries or health problems. We host Meet & Greets at different pet stores and other locations to show off our greyhounds and to let people know what good pets they make. If you are looking for a good, healthy, wonderful dog as a pet, please consider adopting a greyhound.

Charlyne's Pound Puppies

Charlyne's Pound Puppies is a non-profit rescue group run by volunteers. Our founder, Charlyne McDaniel, began her crusade to help abandoned dogs and cats in 1995. Charlyne's Pound Puppies does not accept owner surrenders. Our commitment is to the animals in the Thorndale, TX pound and those who may have been abandoned at vet clinics or the surrounding countryside. All our dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered. We provide these animals with love, medical care, and foster homes until we can find them adoptive families.

Central Texas Ruffugees

Haven Animal Rescue of Texas

Haven Animal Rescue of Texas is a non-profit organization formed to prevent cruelty to animals by rescuing abandoned or homeless animals and subsidizing spaying and neutering as well as further vetting. We strive to help people obtain further education to provide the proper care for their pets and offer assistance to those needing a helping hand. Our goal is to help people find ways to properly care for and keep their pets even if they’ve fallen on hard times. Helping families find their perfect furry family member and dogs find their forever homes is our main goal for the abandoned, homeless, and neglected animals we save.

German Shepherd Rescue of Central Texas

We are a rescue organization that strives to save as many German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes as possible from neglect, abuse, and premature death. We give dogs the chance to have the good life they deserve through rescue, adoption, referrals, and behavior counseling. We are a foster home concept rescue. We do not have a brick and mortar shelter to house dogs that we take in. All of our dogs live in an approved animal-loving private foster home. Our foster families welcome each new GSD or GSD mix into their home as a part of their family. The foster families show these incoming dogs the love, nurturing, training and nutrition that most of them have never known. We provide the needed medical care, food and ongoing preventative care. All of our dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped and brought up to date on all of their vaccinations and immunizations before we place them up for adoption. Almost every dog we rescue will cost our rescue far more than the adoption fee we collect. As an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit, we make no money; the adoption fee is to help recoup some expenses so we can keep saving the lives of these precious, loyal, intelligent, loving dogs. We serve the Central Texas region, including Austin, San Antonio, Waco, Houston and Dallas. We cannot save all the dogs even in Central Texas; however, for each dog that is adopted, another can be saved, and if we can help someone resolve a problem and keep their dog we consider that a successful rescue. Our dogs come from all kinds of backgrounds. They end up in rescue for many reasons. Some dogs were loved by people who brought them into their lives and made them part of their family. Some come from people who have decided they no longer can care for the dog. They come from unwanted litters that happen because of lack of spaying and neutering. Some were lost or abandoned or neglected. The fortunate ones are rescued who otherwise would have been killed in shelters simply because of lack of space. Many that would have died from disease, hunger and exposure in the open have found sanctuary with people who are dedicated to leading them to a new, more promising life. Dogs are selected based on our best judgement of their temperament and adoptability. We temperament test and check all the history we can to learn as much as possible about the dogs we select for our program. If a dog is found we make an attempt to located their guardian, but most of the time no one comes forwarded. We provide the vet work needed, vaccinations, spay/neuter worming and treat what conditions we find. The dogs live in our homes and are treated like our own dogs (which they are) until they find a home that fits.

Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue

We are located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, an hour southwest of Austin. WAG Rescue is a volunteer-supported, non-profit 501 (c) (3) public charity for dog rescue and adoption with a Refuge and Adoption Center in Driftwood and a network of foster families. We have rescued and adopted out over 2,000 dogs and puppies since our inception in June 2009 and returned countless animals to their owners. Currently, we have a single-family structure on our 6-acre refuge property with covered, outdoor kennels to house our dogs that are not in foster care. Additionally, we have two separate small structures consisting of a Nursery and Healing House. WAG Rescue sincerely thanks all of our donors, volunteers, and adopters for their continued support and tireless efforts as our community grows

Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue was inspired by the relationship between one abandoned German Shepherd Dog puppy named Helmut, affectionately known as "Mutt". Mutt was rescued on a country road where he and his litter mates had been abandoned. Only he was alive. Mutt became the Companion in Chief of his rescuer, and stayed by her side for the rest of his life. The organization known as Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue was conceived in 1998, inspired by the strong bond between the founder and her Mutt. When AGSDR incorporated as a non-profit in 2001, it adopted the Mission Statement reflecting its spirit. "To rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home German Shepherd Dogs from across the State of Texas" is a broad statement, and the members like it that way. The broad mission statement allows the organization to help some dogs that would otherwise not be considered, as well as helping highly adoptable dogs. AGSDR has always stressed quality of match between dog and adopter over quantity of placements, striving to find homes where the human-animal bond will be nurtured and grow strong. Some months AGSDR places many dogs, some months only a few. There is no quota, no demand for quick turnover, just the dedicated search for the right home for each dog accepted into the organization. Occasionally an AGSDR dog doesn't get adopted, so it lives out its days in the home of a member. Saving German Shepherd Dogs who would otherwise be euthanized at shelters requires a strong foster team and adequate funding. As with most rescue organizations, foster homes and funding are the rate limiting steps in the rescue process. Over the past five years, an average of $500-$800/dog is expended per dog. The money is used to get the dog out of the shelter, provide veterinary care, heartworm treatment, grooming, training, and other needs. All in an effort to get the dog "adoption ready", which facilitates fitting in with their new family and becoming a cherished companion. Adoption fees, which are nominal in comparison to the average expenditure per dog, results in the constant need for members to raise funds in addition to taking care of the dogs and making matches with applicants. Members are diligent and hold an annual Christmas Gift Wrap event, participate in Macy's Shop for a Cause, Dogtoberfest, they hold monthly Meet and Greets, an annual Calendar Dog competition, and they design and sell T-shirts. As well, purchases made at Amazon Smile benefit the organization, along with proceeds received from purchases made from Pet Rescue RX, Last, but certainly not least, AGSDR has been the recipient of donations in various amounts, and for a variety of reasons. Memorial donations, honorary donations, and friendship and support donations are made by generous individuals. AGSDR welcomes all such donations at the Donate page, and pledges to use all donations carefully, responsibly, and in the best interest of the dogs.

Love-a-Bull

LOVE-A-BULL, Inc. is an outgrowth of the former Austin American Pit Bull Terrier Meetup Group, which was formed in 2003. This social meetup group for owners and dogs to connect and form a community evolved into a group of people who wanted to see change. Since that time, organizers recognized that the political climate warranted the need for change. As a result, LOVE-A-BULL org achieved 501(c)(3) status in 2008 so that the group could more fully attain its mission and goals. LOVE-A-BULL was organized to educate and advocate on behalf of the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (all breeds commonly referred to as pit bulls) and pit bull mixes. The message we try to spread is that they are dogs, just like any other dog, they just happened to be called pit bulls. Our mission is to promote responsible guardianship and improve the image and lives of pit bull-type dogs through community support, education, advocacy, and rescue. In 2020, we saved a record 200 pit bull-type dog lives more than quadruple the amount as in the previous year. In our history as an organization, we have supported the community through spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, providing resources on Austin, TX pit bull-friendly housing, financial assistance, and low-cost training. We have also provided active advocacy against breed discriminatory legislation and started one of the country's first all pit bull-type dog therapy programs. We currently maintain a foster-based rescue program and work daily to promote a more positive and accurate public image of all pit bull-type dogs through various local outreach and social media efforts. LOVE-A-BULL regularly hosts fun activities, but its main goal is to promote advocacy and education. Our group is comprised of members who live in Austin and the surrounding areas, as well as national members who wish to support our mission. We welcome the support of proud pit bull parents and others interested in supporting the above ideals and those who will work to further our goals.

Paws of Austin Great Dane Rescue

PAWS of Austin (Protection for Animal Welfare Services) is a non-profit animal rescue organization established in Austin, Texas for the purpose of providing refuge to stray and unwanted companion animals. PAWS breed expertise is Great Danes.

Viva Perros

Viva Perros is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises money to help homeless and abused dogs get the medical care they need and find good homes. Joe King Carrasco, known for his revved-up Tex-Mex brand of rock n roll, has been a long time supporter and lover of dogs. Viva Perros is his way of taking some of the profits from his music and putting it into the hands of non-profit rescue groups that work relentlessly to improve the lives of dogs around the world. Help us raise money to help homeless dogs get healthcare and homes in memory of Marty. 100% of the money raised by the Tribute shirt goes to help dogs through Viva Perros. Viva Perros raises money to help estabilished Dog Rescue groups around the world continue the hard work they do making lives better for abused, neglected, and homeless dogs. Money is also raised through the sales of Joe King Carrasco's CD, Concierto Para Los Perros, as well as other Viva Perros merchandise and donations. The CD was recorded at Ruta Maya in Austin, TX at the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch benefit concert. Donations from these sales go to a different rescue group determined by the board of directors.

Blue Dog Rescue

Blue Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, charitable organization that works to find permanent, loving homes for at-risk homeless dogs in the Central Texas area, all the while preparing them for the best possible relationship with you! Most of our dogs come from Central Texas shelters where they might not have a chance at adoption due to size, color, breed, or medical condition. Because we are a network of foster families, there is no shelter facility

Throw a Dog a Bone Dog Rescue

Throw a Dog a Bone is an all-breed dog and cat rescue located in Austin, TX. We focus on saving dogs primarily in the rural shelters in South Texas. Many of these shelters have no exposure and very few resources. Our mission is to rescue as many of these dogs as possible and find them loving forever homes. What We Do We find dogs and cats in the rural kill shelters who are at risk for euthanasia and place them in foster homes. When they are ready to find a forever home, we place them up for adoption both locally and out of state. If we find an out of state adopter, we arrange transport. We follow our dogs throughout their transport and into their forever homes. How You Can Help We need volunteers to help us find all of the rural shelters in the state, donate supplies and volunteer in the rural shelters. We also need help transporting dogs, foster homes and veterinary technicians. Of course, we always need donations and help with fundraising as well. Please help us save more pups!

Rogues Rescue Ranch

After living in Houston our entire lives and being involved in animal rescue for the past several years, we have seen first hand how in-need big cities are of animal rescuers. This is why we continue to work on creating a program that can focus its efforts on education and outreach into the animal loving community.