Austin Animal Center launches a finder-to-foster program

Austin Animal Center has launched a finder-to-foster program, which allows community members who find a lost pet to register them with the shelter so they can receive intake vaccines, other necessary medical care and a microchip and be listed as a found pet in the shelter database. A related ordinance change was approved by City Council on Feb. 1. The pet will not have to stay at the shelter for the entire 72-hour stray hold. Instead, the hold will occur while the pet is in the finder’s home. If an owner does not come forward in that time, the shelter can provide foster and adoption support. “We have so many wonderful community members who want to help a stray animal,” said Mary Brown, customer service manager at AAC. “I’m excited that we’re able to offer this option for animals to get the full support of AAC foster program resources while also giving a dog a chance to be reunited with their owner, not having to be stressed in a shelter kennel setting.” The program will be for animals found within the city of Austin or unincorporated Travis County. Participating finders must:

• Live within one hour of the shelter
• Commit to helping reunite the animal with the owner
• Provide food and supplies for the foster pet
• Have up-to-date rabies vaccinations for all animals already living in their home
• Be able to access email regularly and provide transportation to and from AAC
• Follow all policies and procedures of the AAC Foster Program

If you’re interested in participating, you can learn more and submit a Finder to Foster request.