Before Central Texas was hit with devastating flooding in early July, the Georgetown Animal Shelter was preparing for a gradual transfer of animals to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS). Instead, they found themselves packing up in a matter of hours. “All our plans went out the window. The flood pushed the transfer of animals over a few hours instead of a week,” says April Haughey, former animal services manager with the Georgetown facility, which is located near the San Gabriel River. When the river began flooding, the WCRAS team quickly stepped in—and within just three hours, 120 animals were safely evacuated to the county shelter.
While a crisis response wasn’t an ideal way to start the merger between the shelters, it underscored the strength of a partnership that had been years in the making.
PARTNERS IN PET CARE
On July 14, the merger between the Georgetown Animal Shelter and WCRAS officially took effect, creating a unified, countywide approach to animal sheltering. The idea had been in discussion for more than three years, spurred by Georgetown’s growing need for expanded services and the fact that WCRAS already operates within the city limits. “There was a lot of confusion for residents about which shelter they should go to,” says Ms. Haughey, the City’s assistant public works director. “In a way, we were also competing for resources, volunteers, donations, grants, and fosters since we were just a couple miles apart in the city. Now, we’re pooling those resources in one central location.”
The merger was unanimously approved by all participating regional partners, including Williamson County and the cities of Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, and Hutto.
NEW CHAPTER, SAME HEART FOR ANIMALS
All shelter services—including intakes, lost-and-found support, and cat adoptions—are now centralized at WCRAS at 1855 SE Inner Loop. As for the city’s former shelter, the facility has been re-imagined as the Red Poppy Adoptique—a home-focused facility built to serve the community with dog adoptions and fostering. “It will be a great way to spotlight them and help them find new homes as quickly as possible,” WCRAS Community Engagement Coordinator April Peiffer says.
The Adoptique will also offer the popular Doggy Day Out program, along with the main campus, where residents can take a shelter dog on a short outing—whether it’s for a walk in the nearby San Gabriel Park or a cozy afternoon on the couch. The program runs daily from noon to 6pm, offering exercise for the dogs and a fun way for potential adopters to get to know them outside the shelter setting.
One of the biggest benefits of this new partnership is expanded access to services for Georgetown residents—many of which weren’t available before the merger. Now, locals can take advantage of:
- Weekly Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) clinics for community cats
- Low-cost microchipping
- Online licensing with Pet Hub ID tags
- Supported re-homing opportunities
- Broadened foster and volunteer opportunities
- Community events such as vaccine clinics or low-cost spay/neuter services, with vaccines provided through support from Petco Love
Ms. Peiffer says, “The shelter has always had a regional approach and bringing Georgetown into the family will give residents access to services that we provide that they weren’t eligible for in the past. More access to services has a positive impact on the welfare of all the animals in our area.” The merger, she adds, “will also remove the confusion that often came when considering whether you should seek services with the County facility versus the City one, which will free up time for staff and make the services more efficient.”
HOW TO HELP
Support WCRAS’ lifesaving mission by getting involved—whether by fostering, adopting, volunteering, or simply spending time with animals through the Doggy Day Out program. Ms. Peiffer says, “We always welcome volunteers to our shelter and encourage the Georgetown community to continue their lifesaving efforts to help shelter pets by joining us here at WCRAS.” To learn more, visit wilcopets.org.