Austin Pets Alive! announced it is a 2024 PEDIGREE Foundation grant recipient and has been awarded a collaborative grant for the Hays County Pet Resource Center project. The grant will support the full implementation of the Human Animal Support Services model in Hays County, a national collaborative project facilitated by Austin Pets Alive!, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing the challenges of traditional animal sheltering.
Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. and will no longer be contracting with nearby municipal agencies for animal sheltering after 2026. In preparation, the county Commissioner’s Court has championed the creation of a HASS-based pet resource center, shifting away from traditional animal services that separate people and pets.
“County leadership is focused on integrating animal services into a broader public health strategy, recognizing that animal welfare is a vital component of human welfare.” said Lee Ann Shenefiel, Hays County Pet Resource Center Director and Austin Pets Alive! executive advisor.
The grant will allow APA! to enhance community engagement efforts and coalition building with local partners for the pet resource center in Hays County. Goals of the grant include creating a continuum of care for both people and pets, incorporating public perspectives into the development of programs and services and establishing Hays County as a national model for government animal welfare organizations.
Since its inception in 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has awarded over $14 million and helped nearly 900,000 dogs through its annual grant program and additional funding initiatives to cement its support of the animal welfare community across North America. The complete list of the 2024 PEDIGREE Foundation grant recipients is available on the website.
For more information about APA!’s work in Hays County, please visit .hayscountytx.com/ pet-resource and follow Hays County Pet Resource Center on social media (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn).
