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Austin shelters host 'name your own price' pet adoption event this weekend

Austin-area shelters are making an unprecedented offer to get vulnerable animals into loving homes before the Fourth of July holiday.

Published June 27, 2025 at 11:00am

Eight Austin-area animal shelters are joining forces this weekend for a "name your own price" adoption event, aiming to find homes for 250 animals before the Fourth of July fireworks begin. The collaborative effort seeks to clear shelters and provide a safe haven for pets, as the holiday often leads to a surge in lost and stray animals. The two-day event, scheduled for June 28 and 29, is a coordinated response to overflowing shelters and the known anxieties that fireworks induce in animals.

Participating organizations include Austin Pets Alive!, Austin Animal Center, Austin Humane Society, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Pflugerville Animal Welfare Services, TRAPRS, Jack Jack’s Pack, and Love-A-Bull.

Keeping pets safe this Fourth of July holiday and beyond

Fireworks, with their loud noises and sudden flashes, can be particularly traumatizing for pets due to their acute hearing. The Texas Humane Network advises pet owners to keep animals indoors, provide distractions, walk pets before fireworks begin, and update ID tags to prevent them from becoming disoriented and lost. Beyond the immediate threat of fireworks, the summer months bring additional challenges for stray animals due to extreme heat and the coinciding puppy and kitten season, a period of increased breeding.

Related: Texas will soon offer new license plates encouraging pet adoption and raise money for spay/neuter programs

For those unable to adopt, shelters say other forms of support are greatly needed. Volunteering and fostering are crucial, as are monetary donations. Each organization offers various ways for the community to contribute, from walking dogs to assisting with laundry.

Residents interested in adopting can visit the participating shelters this weekend.