The Best Austin, TX Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2026

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.

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!

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.

Giddings Animal Shelter

The City of Giddings provides a temporary haven for lost, homeless, endangered, or orphaned cats/kittens and dogs/puppies. The shelter is a designated as a 501(c)(3) tax deductible non-profit organization according the US Internal Revenue Service and all donations are tax deductible.

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!

Hound Rescue

Hound Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue and placement of abandoned dogs in loving homes across Texas. We provide canine health and rescue education to the community. Hound Rescue: • Rescues hounds in danger of euthanasia from shelters • Helps hounds that have been removed from neglectful or abusive situations • Shelters rescued hounds until a suitable placement can be found • Provides basic medical care and training to hounds to make them ready for adoption • Educates current and potential hound owners about these breeds • Finds kind, loving families for rescued, homeless, or abandoned hounds

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.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin/San Antonio

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin / San Antonio is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer nonprofit organization working to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home Cocker Spaniels in Central Texas (and sometimes beyond). By adopting, making a donation or opening your home to a foster, you can help us save lives!

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.

Austin Sheltie Rescue Inc

Austin Sheltie Rescue is a 501(c)3 corporation. Our mission is to place homeless shelties into forever homes with loving families. Since January 1, 2006, we have rescued over 400 shelties from local shelters, surrendered from owners, and found as strays. We have been able to do this because of the wonderful network of volunteers that help us with rescuing, transporting, fostering, nurturing, healing, and providing loving and caring homes. Our rescue is run by the generosity of others. We are always in need of families to foster our rescues. Being a foster home means sharing your home with a rescued dog: providing food, shelter, toys, walks (after the dog is well from heartworm treatment or more confident if shy), and lots of attention, until a permanent home for the dog is approved.

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.

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.

German Shepherd Dog Rescue and Holistic Care Education Center

German Shepherd Dog Rescue and Holistic Care Education Center (GSDRHCEC) is a breed specific rescue located in Austin, TX. GSDRHCEC is a non-profit 501c3 and a volunteer based organization. We are funded entirely by private donations and receive no government support. About 50% of the dogs we rescue come from streets of Houston, 40% comes from shelters about 10% as owner surrenders. We are focused on saving German Shepherd from bad situations, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for them while educating fosters and potential adopters on how to maintain pet's health through daily lifestyle choices and how natural alternatives can be beneficial to pets when issues arise. We work with holistic vets to ensure that pets are not over medicated and treated naturally when possible, including essential oils, chiropractic care and more.

Central Texas SPCA

Central Texas SPCA is a small non-profit adoption center. We are not a public drop off and do not accept stray animals or owner surrenders. We rescue dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia by pulling them into our shelter from high kill shelters. We provide them with a unique home-like shelter with spacious indoor condos for the cats, size-appropriate crates for the dogs, as well as outdoor kennels and off-leash play areas for the dogs. For over 35 years, we’ve been dedicated to personalized, force-free, 1:1 care and attention of each and every one of our rescued animals to ensure they are healthy, and well-adjusted before their adoption. Our adoption process is informative and pleasant with a friendly staff. The Central Texas SPCA was the first no-kill shelter in Williamson County when it opened in 1988. We are a private, independent organization relying solely on private donations, grants, adoption fees and fundraisers to save hundreds of homeless pets annually. Throughout our 33 years, we’ve never wavered from our commitment to provide quality, compassionate care to homeless dogs and cats for however long they need us. Our primary sources of animal intake are small, rural shelters in the Central Texas area where animals are at risk of euthanasia due to high intake numbers and low adoptions. We led the way in our area many years ago in the movement to provide home-like spaces for the animals. The cats have large condos with cat towers, climbing shelves, room to run and a space for human visitors to sit down. Most condos have natural light from windows to the shelter grounds. The dogs we rescue enjoy large outdoor play runs on our two-acre property. Runs have shade and splash pools during hot weather. All are large enough for volunteers to enter for a game of tug or fetch. Dogs are off-leash most of the day and often are paired with other dogs for exercise and companionship. During the night and on inclement weather days, they are in their size appropriate crates inside and are walked on our tree-shaded grounds multiple times a day. Every animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before adoption. We also provide age-appropriate vaccines, species-specific testing, heartworm prevention and any special veterinary care needed through our local vet partners. Because of our 1:1 care, we know each animal’s personality and needs, which allows us to make matches that align with our Forever Family goal. All adopters are carefully screened to ensure the greatest likelihood of success with each adoption. Since 1988, we’ve rescued and found loving homes for more than 7000 dogs and cats.

Happy Hooves Healing Hearts

Bastrop County Animal Shelter

Bastrop County Animal Services was established in 1998. We have grown since then and continue to do so as Bastrop County grows. Currently, we have 3 separate buildings containing a total of 90 large indoor/outdoor kennels and 8 play yards. We have 2 cat housing areas including our communal cattery. Bastrop Animal Services encompasses both Animal Control and the Bastrop County Animal Shelter. We offer animal control services 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm as well as limited emergency after hour and holiday animal control response. The animal shelter is open to adoptions and owned animal surrenders during normal business hours. Owned animal surrenders are accepted by appointment- with proof of residency and identification. We allow people looking for lost or missing pets 7 days a week when staff is present and working (typically 8am-4pm except for County recognized holidays). The Bastrop County Animal Shelter is a Public Service organization and “Open Intake Facility”- meaning that all dogs and cats within the County as well as those that are picked up by the City Animal Control Officers for Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville are housed here. We do our best to find adoptive homes and work with rescues to save as many animals as possible. Our “Open Intake” status prevents us from being “No Kill” as a policy, but we strive to remain “Low Kill” and typically have near “No Kill” save rates.

Saving South Texas

In August of 2022, Kaitlyn was contacted about adopting a dog from Victoria County Animal Services to prevent it from being euthanized. While the dog ended up getting adopted by someone else, a new fire to help the dogs from her hometown was ignited. Kaitlyn brought Allyson into the mix, who had been exploring the idea of a nonprofit to raise funds for animal organizations, and Saving South Texas was born. Shortly after, Allyson and Kara connected by chance on Nextdoor when Allyson was trying to find a home for an urgent dog. Kara was networking San Diego, Texas, dogs with the help of Bridget. The four of them partnered up and expanded their mission to helping animals in all of South Texas. Today, the primary focus of Saving South Texas is to help animals in high-kill shelters in South Texas through rescue partners and transportation to out of state shelters.

Legacy Doberman Rescue

Legacy Doberman Rescue is an all-volunteer non-profit organization for the rescue of purebred Dobermans in Texas. Who is Legacy Doberman Rescue? LDR is four women spread out across three states and a small but mighty band of foster homes. We are not powerball millionaires. In our first six months we took in 24 dogs, including two litters of abandoned puppies. We have rehabilitated and placed 20 Dobermans so far! (We also had a board member finish her Dobermans Championsip, another put 23 titles on her two Dobermans and we had two human grand babies). We all work full time. Our rescue work is unpaid and expenses consistently exceed our adoption fee. We rely on foster homes and your donations to make this rescue succeed and save homeless Dobermans. We are asked almost every day to take on a new Doberman. We encourage you to foster a dog, make a monthly donation to LDR and participate in our ebay auctions. Every little bit makes a huge difference to the Dobermans who get to live fulfilling and rewarding lives with their new families.

365 Pet Connection

365 Pet Connection - a unique concept in animal welfare. The rewards of animal rescue drive us to find new ways to save as many deserving lives as we possibly can 365 days a year. After years of active hands-on animal rescue, we have accumulated a vast network of animal resources which we have molded together to form 365 Pet Connection. 365 Pet Connection is a Tax Exempt All-Volunteer Non-Profit Group and our EIN# 46-4747911. As such, all monetary donations and adoption fees are tax-deductible.

Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions

Lifelong Friends Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that meets its operating expenses through donations and adoption fees. We would be delighted if you could make a (tax deductible) donation to our organization so that we can continue to find loving homes for animals that desperately need them.

Happy Hearts Dog Rescue

Happy Hearts Dog Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer based dog rescue in the Austin, TX area. We rely on volunteer foster homes to save dogs from kill shelters all across the state of Texas. It is our mission to find loving homes for forgotten dogs in desperate need of a chance to feel safe and loved. Our rescue truly believes that every dog deserves a happy home. We are Alyson and Adri, the Co-Founders of Happy Hearts Dog Rescue. We started HHDR in July of 2018. Over the last few years, our little rescue has saved and placed over 500 dogs in loving forever homes. We met while volunteering for other rescue groups, and decided by joining forces, we could help save even more doggy lives. It has been a lot of hard work over the past four years, but it has been so incredibly fulfilling. Bringing families together and watching these once discarded beautiful dogs live their best lives has been the most rewarding experience for both of us.

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.

Jack Jack's Pack

Furever friends and rescue

A small, yet mighty, 501(c) (3) non-profit foster based rescue, near Austin Texas

Lil Paws Maltese Rescue and other Petite Paws

Lil' Paws Maltese Rescue is a home-based, non-profit rescue organization made up soley of volunteers. We are dedicated to helping homeless Maltese and other small dog breeds in the Austin area by fostering, providing the best possible health care, and placing them in loving forever homes. Lil' Paws Maltese Rescue and other Petite Paws exists to rescue, rehabilitate, and carefully rehome neglected and homeless Maltese and other small dogs. We are a 501c3 non-profit rescue group run entirely by a small group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about the welfare of these dogs. What we do We are committed to rescuing Maltese and other small dogs. Lil' Paws spays/neuters every dog we take in, gets them examined by a veterinarian, gets them vaccinated, microchipped, heartworm tested, gives heartworm prevention, dentals, surgeries.....anything it takes to get the dogs healthy and ready to make the transition to their new lives. We take particular care in placing our dogs. Our screening process includes an application, phone interview, personal and veterinary reference checks, and a visit to the potential owner's home to ensure the home and family is compatible with the pet's needs and our requirements. We do not adopt our dogs on a first come, first serve basis. Because we want this to be a permanent adoption, we will place the dog in the home best suited for him/her. How we do it We are run entirely by volunteers. We receive no public funding. Any volunteer you meet, speak to, or correspond with, is giving generously of their time and energy, to keep Lil' Paws going. Our organization is completely dependent on contributions from adopters and donors. We do not have a facility. All of the dogs in our rescue live in the homes of our volunteers until they find their forever home. They are cared for and loved as our own dogs and receive the safety and affection they so deserve while waiting to find their forever homes. This also gives us an opportunity to get to know the dog one on one and give an accurate evaluation and assessment of each dog's personality, therefore enabling us to match the dog to the type of family it needs. Our Commitment We are committed to the well being of every single dog we rescue. We often take dogs that others are unable to because of an injury or medical condition that must be taken care of before the dog is adoptable. We have a lifetime commitment to all of our dogs. Should any unforeseen situations arise with the adoptive family and the dog can no longer be cared for by them, we will always accept them back into our organization. In fact, our adoption contract includes a "return to rescue" provision in which the adopting family must agree to return the dog to us if for any reason they cannot properly care for the dog. We take pride in the level of service and care we give to our dogs and make great effort to ensure their safety and well being for the rest of their lives. Placement of our dogs happens only when the correct match for the dog is found.

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.

Central Texas Ruffugees

Austin Humane Society

The longest-standing no-kill, non-profit pet and adoption center in Austin We’re dedicated to saving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs, educating our community about responsible pet ownership, and reducing pet overpopulation. Serving our community since 1952, the Austin Humane Society (AHS) is the longest standing no-kill shelter in Austin. AHS transforms the lives of animals and the people who love them through life-saving programs that find animals homes, serve animals and people in times of crisis, prevent future homelessness through spay and neuter, and engage the community to be a part of the solution. Over the past year, AHS has unleashed hope for over 11,000 animals thanks to the generosity of our donors.