On Nov. 5, the PAWS Shelter of Central Texas Kyle location officially reopened. The nonprofit animal shelter began winding down operations on July 17 before its new partnership with Austin Pets Alive! sparked its return.
What happened
The shelter welcomed community members back into its reopened facility, marking its official return to operation.
PAWS will work to double the number of animals saved through adoptions at the Kyle and Dripping Springs facilities over the coming months, according to a news release. The organization also intends to double the number of available foster homes.
“Our number one priority is to save more lives,” said the Kyle campus Shelter Director Mara Hartsell in the release. “This vital work is powered by you: the fosters, volunteers, donors and staff across Hays County and the greater Austin area who are committed to helping us save the animals most at risk for euthanasia. We are honored to open this next chapter with you.”
Looking back
PAWS made the decision to close the Kyle shelter and focus its attention on the Dripping Springs location because the organization could not logistically and financially maintain both, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The boards of directors at PAWS and Austin Pets Alive! began exploring a possible collaboration aimed at sustaining operations at PAWS. A partnership between the organizations was announced in September.
The partnership created Hays County Pets Alive! to provide essential animal services to the region and help support the return of the Kyle shelter, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
“The partnership continues and expands the local safety net, ensuring that animals across the region will receive loving, high-quality shelter care and lifesaving, backed by expanded community support,” Hartsell said in the release.
Also of note
Operations at PAWS Shelter of Central Texas will be partially supported by the Hays County Pets Alive! Thrift, opening Nov. 7. The new thrift store is located in San Marcos.
