Finding a lost or stray pet can be a heartwarming experience, but it also comes with responsibilities. San Antonio, Texas, is a city known for its vibrant pet-loving community, yet like many urban areas, it faces challenges with animal overpopulation. The City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) operates a large open-admission shelter, but with numerous animals arriving daily, space is often limited. Therefore, if you’ve discovered a furry friend in your neighborhood, prioritizing rehoming before resorting to shelter surrender is crucial. This approach not only aids in managing shelter capacity but also increases the chances of the pet finding a loving home quickly. If rehoming isn’t immediately feasible, understanding the resources available in San Antonio and surrounding Bexar County is essential. This guide provides information about various animal shelters and organizations, including San Antonio Pets Alive! (Sa Pets Alive), to assist you in making informed decisions for the well-being of the animal.
When considering options beyond ACS, several reputable organizations in the San Antonio area offer support for animal intake and rehoming. Each organization has its own policies, intake capacities, and fees, so it’s important to understand these differences. Here’s a breakdown of some key resources:
Exploring Animal Welfare Organizations in San Antonio
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Animal Defense League: Located at 11300 Nacogdoches, San Antonio, TX 78217, the Animal Defense League can be reached at 210.655.1481. They require a $50 surrender fee per pet and intake is based on space availability. A Bexar County ID is necessary for surrender. For further inquiries, you can contact them at [email protected].
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San Antonio Humane Society: Situated at 4804 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, the San Antonio Humane Society can be contacted at 210.226.7461. They charge a $40 surrender fee per pet, and an additional $31.40 Parvo test fee is mandatory for puppies under one year old. Appointments are required for medium to large dogs (over 20lbs) and puppies/kittens 3.5 months and younger. Intake depends on space, and a Bexar County ID is required. For appointments, reach out to [email protected] or visit https://sahumane.org/receiving for more details and surrender forms.
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San Antonio Pets Alive! (SA Pets Alive): You can contact SA Pets Alive at 210.370.7612. They have a $50 surrender fee per pet and require appointments for evaluation and assessment before intake. Like other organizations, intake is subject to space availability. For appointment inquiries, contact [email protected]. SA Pets Alive plays a vital role in the San Antonio animal welfare landscape, focusing on innovative programs to save animals at risk of euthanasia.
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Bexar County Animal Shelter: Located at 5503 Duffek Dr, Kirby, TX 78219, and reachable at 210.335.9000, the Bexar County Animal Shelter has a $150 surrender fee per pet. They do not accept over-the-counter intakes; you must call Bexar County Animal Control at 210.335.9000 for animal pickup. Intake is space-dependent, and a Bexar County ID is mandatory.
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Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation: Specializing in wildlife, they can be contacted 24/7 at 830.336.2725. Their location is 166 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78201. This organization is specifically for found wildlife only.
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Schertz Animal Shelter: Serving Schertz residents, they are located at 800 Community Circle Schertz, TX 78154, and can be reached at 210.619.1550. They do not charge a surrender fee but only take in stray animals and intake is based on space. Schertz residency and ID are required.
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Live Oak Animal Shelter: Located at 8001 Shin Oak Drive Live Oak, TX 78233, they can be contacted at 210.653.9140 x228. The surrender fee is $75 for licensed pets and $85 for unlicensed pets. Intake is based on space availability and is limited to Live Oak residents with ID.
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Universal City Animal Shelter: Serving Universal City residents, they are located at 134 Athenian Drive Universal City, TX 78148, and can be reached at 210.658.0700. Surrender fees are $75 for licensed pets and $85 for unlicensed pets. Intake is subject to space and is for Universal City residents only, ID required.
For general animal-related inquiries or to report issues within San Antonio, you can also contact 311 Customer Service at 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000, available from 7 am to 7 pm daily and on city holidays.
Responsible Pet Rehoming in San Antonio
Navigating the options for found pets in San Antonio requires understanding the capacity and specific focuses of each organization, including dedicated groups like SA Pets Alive. Remember, shelters and rescues often operate at or near capacity. Prioritizing local rehoming efforts before surrendering a found pet to a shelter can significantly benefit both the animal and the community. For more guidance on what to do if you find a pet, you can visit the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services website for helpful resources: https://www.sanantonio.gov/Animal-Care/What-We-Do-Services/Adopt/Found-a-Pet. By working together and utilizing the diverse resources available, including SA Pets Alive, San Antonio can continue to improve animal welfare and responsible pet ownership within the city.
