Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter

We knew we wanted to add an additional furry friend to our family and had gone to several shelters before heading to Williamson County. As we arrived the staff was extremely helpful and waited to see who we may want to spend additional time with and gave us notes on each kitty.
Another couple arrived and things started to get crazy and more staff and more kitties running everywhere (but who doesn’t love that!) We fell in love w Bowie and happily took him home the same day.
So why less the stars?
When the extra staff came in while we were seeing who may be the right fit for a family, one staff member was extremely pushy on us adopting a pet. Every time we just looked at a pet she would tell us if we didn’t adopt them they probably wouldn’t get adopted. Or if we spent extra time with one and decided they weren’t right for us, she pushed them back on us. I understand they are in the business of making sure pets go to a home… but it needs to be the RIGHT home. I finally had to tell her we wanted time to spend w the kitty alone. I hope no one feels pressured into a pet by this women, which I can only assume then can mean the pet is returned.
Also — our cat had so much gunk in his ears I thought he had mites!

This place was a living hell. My husband, toddler and I came in looking to adopt a cat. The whole process was rushed but we felt confident with the cat we chose. Long story short, she didn’t work out and we had to bring her back. After making us feel horribly guilty, we wanted to try to adopt another, this time letting our dog come along. They treated us rudely, ignored us, LIED to us about animal temperaments in an effort to get us not to adopt and just made us feel like scum. They told us a certain cat didn’t like kids, and as we were leaving thag same cat was in the room playing with kids. She was even playing with my son through the cage! We suspect it was because we were «different» being from Austin and all. If they had a problem with us, and felt our home and life wasn’t sutable for there animals, then they should have said something instead of ignoring us! Very unprofessional. left hurt and so sad that we aren’t adopting anytime soon. Thanks alot.

If I could give this shelter 10 stars, 50 stars, 100 stars! … I would. This shelter has been so amazing to us. I am so grateful for them!
So about a month ago, they had a shelter event called «Clear the Shelter» where they were waiving the adoption fees and essentially adopting out animals for free. My boyfriend and I wanted a dog so of course, this was the best option. When we got there, there were a ton of friendly volunteers waiting to help the line of people looking to adopt. We had looked on the site a few times before and had already picked out a list of dogs we were interested in. When we told them, they got a volunteer to specifically help us and take us out to where our specific dogs were. They took us out to a play area with one of the dogs and let us play around with her. One of the dogs we were looking for had the name of another dog there (that wasn’t on our list), but they asked if we wanted to take her out regardless and see if there was a bond. And there was! We ended up adopted our dog «Fey», and the process was so painless. They give you so much too. A small bag of dog food, leash, a waiver for a free check-​up at the vet’s, and a packet full of really useful information on helping the dog and the family transition into with each other, as well as other cool perks.
We took her home and fell in love instantly. But we ran into a problem with our apartment complex the first week. The kennel card said she was a pitbull terrier mix and didn’t want to accept her. We were heartbroken but weren’t going to give up that easily… In the unfortunate event that they wouldn’t change their minds, I put an ad up on Craigslist for a foster home to take care of Fey until our lease ended. One of the volunteers at the shelter ended up finding my ad and emailed me. They offered to talk to animal advocates and attorneys they knew to see if we could find a solution. Another woman from the shelter also emailed me and offered to give Fey free training (Good Canine Citizenship Certificate) as well as Therapy Dog training, in hopes that that would persuade our apartment complex to let us keep her.
When we went in for the initial training consultation, they had an idea. Change the breed on her kennel card. Fey was found a stray and only in the shelter for 15 days, so they just made a guesstimate to her breed (although I’m certain their first guess was correct)… But any who, we looked up some pictures of American Bulldog mixes and found a picture that looked EXACTLY like Fey… So they went ahead and got the breed changed on the kennel card. Then when we went to the leasing office again to fight our case to keep Fey, we showed them the new kennel card and boom, that was all they needed — no foster home for Fey. They allowed her to stay with us :))
We’ve been taking her to a few training classes now and they seem to working, even if only slowly. :) All her vaccines were up to date, heart worm negative, a granuloma on her front leg which is easily getting taken care of, and a tad underweight — but we’re fattening her up. :)
I am SO grateful for all the help the WCRAS has extended out to us. Without their help, I’m not sure where we would right now! They are really passionate about what they do there and everyone is ridiculously friendly. They really are doing their best. Even when they’re swamped with animals, they always seem to find a place for them. I love this shelter so much!

I am so happy to have crossed county lines from Austin to adopt my pup! The love and dedication they have at WCRAS for the animals really shows, and they gave me great customer service. I was assisted by two volunteers, who were both very sweet and knowledgeable. I had a small wish list regarding what kind of dog I was looking for (cat friendly, medium energy, house trained), and they went out of their way to match me with a pup that checked met all of my wish list and then some! They found me the best dog ever, and we’re both so grateful to them. Thank you, WCRAS!

We had a very good experience adopting a Dog from this shelter. Our pup of almost 8 years passed and our three year old son was devastated. All of the staff was very helpful and patient as we looked for a dog that would fit our family and would do well with our kiddo.

I adopted my first dog, whiskey, from here over a year ago. He had been at the shelter for 5 months. He had some issues, but with some love, dedication and help of the obedience classes on Sundays I couldn’t imagine a better dog.
A month ago I decided to get him a furry friend, and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else to find them. I brought Whiskey with me, And even though they were busy they took the time to bring out a couple of dogs to get to know whiskey and check to see if they were compatible.
Of course, with rescue dogs you always deal with the issues that someone who ultimately couldn’t take care if a dog left them with, but with the caring staff and resources they offer with adoptions, you leave with a new family member and what you need to build a lifelong connection.

I walked in here a few months ago thinking that I wanted to adopt a puppy. Much to my surprise I ended up walking by the kennels of the adult dogs and fell in love with this 4 year old dog. The girl who was helping me told me all about his past issues, he apparently had some fear aggression issues towards men and had been adopted and returned several times. Upon deciding that I was willing to work with him and continue his training, they gave me all of the notes from the trainer who had been working with him while he was in the shelter. Because of this transparency and honesty, I was able to get him the training he needed and I am pleased to say that Fitz is now a very happy boy who follows me around everywhere and also can tolerate men not only being around him but also will jump onto the couch and snuggle with my brother when he’s over. the people working here genuinely want to find forever homes for their animals and want to prepare you for any challenges. I cannot thank this place enough for taking good care of my boy until we found each other.

This place is amazing! The hard work they do for these animals is beyond fantastic! Thank you!

this place sucks a fat one they suck they always give the dog to rescue orgs that charge 4 times as much they are rude and are snotty jerks that should go out of buisness

I have always had great experiences between fostering and adopting with Wilco but this last one was not very good. I called to find out when a stray dog was going to be available for adoption. I was told that no one would be able to adopt her because a rescue group wanted her. I could adopt her from the rescue group but not from Wilco. They turned down an adopter in order for a rescue group to pick her up. I though the goal was to get dogs into homes not rescue groups. If I was to adopt her from the group it would be $ 250 and would require home visits and consults. Not that I’m against home visits but $ 250 for a dog that would be $ 25 at the shelter.
When I asked about this policy I was basically told that the shelter has to allow the rescue groups to pick whichever dogs they want before the public even is allowed to or else the rescue group will not come back to pull animals from the shelter anymore. This sounds like a shady practice since the goal is to get dogs into forever homes. Let’s turn down forever homes and transfer to rescue groups instead!

I love this place. They really care about and connect with the animals who come in and out of here. They get all my gold stars for being awesome humans.

I don’t know how anyone can have such negative opinions of WCRAS. This shelter is amazing, with a great staff who truly care for the animals that come in.
As a volunteer and foster parent for the shelter, I can see how the staff could get overwhelmed from time to time and of course they have busy days where there may be a wait to see the animal of your choice, but regardless of how full the lobby is, the staff is always hard at work trying to find the perfect home for each animal that comes through their doors. I am surprised to read that some people had such bad experiences, given the friendly interactions I see between staff and customers on a weekly basis as I am volunteering.
Personally, I spend my time photographing the cats (and on occasion the dogs) at the shelter. This allows me an up close and personal view of how clean the kennels are kept and how well-​cared for the animals really are. I can guarantee that I would not be volunteering at a shelter that was not compassionate. The fact that they are saving about 90% of all animals that come through their doors on a regular basis is just amazing and help confirm my decision to give my time to this shelter!

It was a great surprise to read that the staff was rude and no one wants to volunteer at this shelter; in my experience this is the best shelter with which I have been involved. As a volunteer and then foster mom AND an adoptive parent (three cats) I could not imagine a better experience in every way.
This shelter serves a very large area and sometimes they are very busy, and of course understaffed as this is run on a tight budget with limited funds. Everyone is trying their best to give each animal the best chance and experience while the baby is in the shelter with the dream of seeing each sweetie walking out the door with their forever family.
How I wish I could donate more time and money to assist these great people who truly seek the best for the little ones dependent on us humans to feed, love and take care of them.

Most of the employees here are so rude and unkind — not empathetic to your situation at all. Yes, I understand they are crowded with animals — but maybe if your employees were kinder, you’d adopt out more animals???

The facilities are clean and fantastic. It’s a newer building, which is good because it’s well ventilated and customized. I just wish the people there cared and/​or knew what they were doing. I’d settle for either one.
I went to the shelter looking to adopt a big dog I’d met at a meet and greet. She had a very unique face and color, no other dog there looked like her. But the shelter had no idea where she was. Three people told me she was out for a walk. I waited for 4 hours, and this dog did not show up at her designated cage. So I walked around the facility the entire time, waiting to see if she came back to any of the kennels. After about 2 hours, they let me look in the «back» where they keep the quarantined and incoming animals, as well as the older and unadoptables. She wasn’t there. None of the 6 people who I talked to knew where she was, or cared that she was missing. I finally got tired and decided to go somewhere else without adopting.
I do appreciate their outreach efforts, however, as I see them at my PetSmart every week, and they run specials like free adoption month and half price adoption for Christmas, which makes it easier on the pocketbook when you are adopting a little one with medical issues. Thanks for what you do :)

Wish they had no star rating option. The rudeness here is unbelievable. Even if its just a ‘bad day’ that is no excuse. At least one of the women has some sort of dislike for minorities, for whatever reasons, and could not have been more rude. She was the kind of rude that actually makes you want to backhand her… sad but true. There is one sweet person working there at least… a deaf lady. She works with the dogs in the back. Delightful. Otherwise, fire the whole office crew and replace with human beings instead if unprofessional jerks.

No wonder no one wants to volunteer at this place the people at this place are rude! Worst place ever.

The good people that work there not withstanding, the place was not clean. The dogs had fleas so bad I could actually see them jumping, before I even took the animal out of its kennel. The dogs were put 2 and 3 to a cage, the signs did not match the dog or were missing all together.
This place has a lot of potential, the facility is laid out pretty well and the walking area for the dogs is a nice touch! The staff were friendly and you can tell they care for the animals, but are stretched extremely thin. A typical government agency I suppose.
At any rate, the animals are not to blame, and they really need a home, so go check them out, maybe you will have a better experience, but for me, I wasn’t comfortable taking anyone home.

They are careless and apathetic.
I adopted a dog from their shelter.
I was told she was 1 year old, 50 pounds, and dog friendly.
When I was filling out her adoption paperwork the receptionist realized she had not been tested for heart worms in over a month she had been there. The receptionist asked if she does test positive would that change my mind. I said no and we completed the paperwork. I got a call the next day saying she did test positive. They said they would cover all of the testing and treatment, which is very generous of them. They said that since she is one years old the heart worms can’t be bad, and she was showing no symptoms.
I took her home the next day and we bonded. Very soon I realized that she is not friendly with dogs at all. She is very reactive and fights any dog that shows any aggression to her. I have no idea how that did not happen once in over a month she was there, I figured it out in 24 hours.
That weekend I took her to my vet for a normal checkup. My vet looks at her teeth and immediately could tell she is at least 4 years old. And she weighed in at 39 pounds, which is very underweight. I was disappointed that I had just lost three years with my dog but I loved her just the same.
When I talked with them about her obvious problems with other animals, all they could say is that it was my fault for not spending more time with her before adopting her, there is no way to tell if they will get along with another animal unless you bring it there for them to meet, and that I should have her see a trainer, which I was already arranging. I did not have any pets I could bring up there, unless they intended for me to bring every animal from my apartment complex up there. They said she was good with other animals and I would think that should be enough.
A few months later when I was finally able to have her seen by the clinic they pay to have them treated at (after they had lost her appointment once). They drew her blood to test how bad the heart worms are before treatment. I received a call a few days later saying that she does not in fact have heart worms.
Despite all of my precautions, and her numerous training sessions, recently she got into a fight with a dog at my apartment complex and they ordered me to remove her from the premises immediately.
I do not in any way regret adopting her and I would do anything to keep her, but because of their misinformation there has been harm to her and other animals. Not to mention how much it hurts to be forced to give my dog up after only a few months.
I have spoken to several people with similar experiences.
Be very very careful when adopting an animal from them. Do not trust any information they give you, double check any way possible.
Those animals still need homes but they need the right homes.

We just brought a new furry child home from WCRAS, and I couldn’t be happier with the place or the process. It’s a long drive from Austin and a bit out in the boonies, but we were pleasantly surprised when we drove up and found a very clean, modern facility — MUCH nicer than the Town Lake shelter. The dogs are housed in two buildings with a separate area for small dogs and puppies, and the cattery was very nice and there were TONS of kittens.
It was super easy to visit with a pup — just ask one of the employees standing by and they’ll lasso the one you want and hand you the leash so you can take it outside and get to know one another. We visited with a few dogs before finding «the one,» and the woman who was helping us was very patient, cheerful and informative.
The application process was fast and incredibly easy. Adoptions are $ 85 and all the animals adopted here are spayed or neutered and microchipped.
You can preview the available pets on
(location-​specific link is available from the WCRAS website), but not surprisingly, there is usually a bit of a lag between when a pet arrives at the shelter and when it makes it to Petfinder, so there may be many other pets available for adoption that aren’t showing up on the site (our pup had been there for five days and wasn’t on Petfinder).
We’d been pup-​shopping for several months and have been to the Town Lake shelter, the Austin Humane Society, the Williamson County Humane Society, and the Humane Society of Bexar County (in San Antonio). I’m sure it had something to do with timing, but other than the Bexar County facility (which is amazing), the WCRAS seemed like it had the best selection of dogs and the most puppies (perhaps in part because its location means that it gets less people traffic, as well). And we found our pup here, so I’ll always be thankful to WCRAS for taking care of our girl until we could come take her home.