Officials with Hays County and Austin Pets Alive will host a set of community meetings throughout November for residents to learn more about the new Pet Resource Center and share input on the needs of the community.

What you need to know

There will be four meetings open to all Hays County residents this month, one in each precinct:

• Nov. 14 from 5-6 p.m. at 501 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs
• Nov. 16 from 5-6 p.m. at 1101 Bunton Creek Road, Kyle
• Nov. 29 from 3-4 p.m. at 550 Scott St., Kyle
• Nov. 30 from 2-3 p.m. at 200 Stillwater Road, Ste. 102, Wimberley

Residents are encouraged to RSVP.

The backstory

Earlier this year, Hays County and Austin Pets Alive partnered to create a new Pet Resource Center to aid the animal welfare community. Hays County's sole intake shelter, the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter, often has more animals than it can handle, according to a feasibility study approved by Commissioners Court.

The new pet resource center already has some parameters:

• 18,000 square feet
• Capacity of around 2,000 animals annually
• $23.4 million cost

The center will take in cats and dogs, but will also provide other resources and programs for local pet owners.

What they're saying

“We welcome the community to attend and hear directly from Hays County leadership and Austin Pets Alive about the project,” said Lee Ann Shenefiel, APA executive advisor and project coordinator, in a news release. “These meetings are an important opportunity for people to share their voice in order to help us help more people and pets in the area.”

What else?

Residents can visit the Hays County Pet Resource Center Facebook page for more information about the meetings.