City of Austin

The City of Austin today, Nov. 12, opened the new Austin Animal Center located on the Betty Dunkerley Campus at 7201 Levander Loop, Austin, TX 78702, five miles east of the old animal shelter, Town Lake Animal Center.

After 60 years of operation the Town Lake Animal Center closed on Nov. 9, and reopened as the Austin Animal Center in a new state-of-the art facility that is designed to provide a safer, healthier atmosphere for lost and homeless animals and for visitors who come to get a pet. It’s modern features allow for more efficient and effective care by staff and volunteers, including vastly improved facilities for animals with injuries or illness.

“The City’s Animal Services Office is excited about our new Center and this facility is a new beginning for animal welfare for our community,” said Abigail Smith, Chief Animal Services Officer. “The Animal Center will set the stage, and a new standard, for healthy, safe, shelter care, and will be key to maintaining the City’s goal of saving at least 90% of the animals that enter the shelter.”

The $12 million complex was approved in the 2006 bond election. It’s 41,400 square feet includes not only comfortable, hygienic housing for animals and greatly improved medical facilities, but also includes spaces for educational and prevention activities, and a pleasant, park-like setting for visitors.

Some of the enhanced Austin Animal Center features include:

40 townhome-style dog suites with indoor rooms and outdoor yards with hygienic artificial turf. 10 spacious cat group rooms with screened porches. A dedicated space with a secure outdoor exercise area for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets. Modern cleaning/sanitizing and ventilation systems and fully temperature-controlled living spaces for all animals

The 2006 Austin Animal Center project was managed by the City of Austin’s Public Works Department, designed by Jackson & Ryan Associates and VCC was the main contractor. The new Austin Animal Center will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified facility.

The new Austin Animal Center will continue to serve as the hub for Animal Protection & Control field services for Austin and Travis County, as well as the Cruelty Investigation Unit of the Austin Police Department.

The Austin Animal Center will be open daily 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. More information about Austin Animal Services programs can be found at www.AustinAnimalCenter.org or by calling (512) 978-0500 or 3-1-1 for animal issues after hours.