Animal Center Celebrates First Anniversary

We journalists will do just about anything for cake, but there's a hell of a lot more to celebrate than that at today's festivities marking the first anniversary of the opening of the Austin Animal Center at 7201 Levander Loop.

Stop by today starting at 10:30am to kick off celebrations with city officials, or join one of the behind-the-scenes tours starting every 15 minutes. Folks who adopted a pet in 2011 are encouraged to bring a photo of their furry family member, and everyone can get in on the birthday cake.

Additionally, adoption fees will be waived from Nov. 10 to Nov. 18, and as always, all animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before heading out the door.

The center, which was approved by voters in 2006 and opened Nov. 12, 2011, has had quite the year:

• 7,541 adoptions

• 6,327 transfers to rescue groups

• 5,440 spay and neuter surgeries

• 2,611 pets in foster care with 1,003 families

• 43,785 volunteer hours

Also today, the AAC is also kicking off its Classic Cats and Canines program, intended to place older pets in homes with senior citizens; that volunteer-run program will start running at 9am with introductions of pets 5 and older to members of AARP.

For more information on today's events, adoption, or volunteering, visit www.austinanimalcenter.org, or stop by from 11am to 7pm daily.