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.
