Cats in Crisis
Shelters full of felines waiting for forever homes
By Jordan Smith, 2:50PM, Fri. Jul. 19, 2013

There's no mincing words: The city of Austin is facing a serious cat-astrophe. With more than 1,800 felines currently housed in the city's three shelters – the Austin Animal Center, Austin Pets Alive, and the Austin Humane Society – there's simply no more room at any inn.
Animal welfare leaders held a joint press conference this morning to say that no more cats can be surrendered to any of the shelters until further notice, and to urge city residents to spay or neuter their pets. The city is partnering with Emancipet to offer low-cost spay/neuter services for city residents who need help to make that happen.
In order to help ease the overcrowded conditions at the three facilities, all three are waiving adoption fees on all cats and kittens this weekend, from today, Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21.
Check out the cats and kittens available for adoption (more here and here) and help keep Austin a no-kill city by adopting a homeless pet this weekend. The kitties, and other homeless pets awaiting care, will thank you.
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Jordan Smith, Dec. 4, 2013
Nina Hernandez, June 16, 2016
May 22, 2014
cats, Austin Humane Society, Austin Animal Center, Austin Pets Alive, Emancipet, animal welfare, spay, neuter, animal shelter, homeless animals, animal adoption