PAWS Shelter of Central Texas and Austin Pets Alive! join forces to reopen Kyle location

By Saige Klein

Assistant Editor

Austin Pets Alive! has partnered with PAWS Shelter of Central Texas to reopen the Kyle location.

Due to financial constraints, the Kyle location closed down in mid-July 2026. The Dripping Springs location remains open and operating with increased clinic service days.

In hopes of reopening the Kyle location, Austin Pets Alive! decided to merge its collaboration with PAWS to provide more funding to the animal shelter, as announced in an APA! press release.

The Kyle location is estimated to reopen in the next 60 days, around November 2026.

Austin Pets Alive! and PAWS shelter are both non-profit animal rehabilitation facilities that focus on fostering a safe environment for animals in need.

Austin Pets Alive! is also known for its beloved thrift store located in South Austin, where all its proceeds go to funding the animal shelter.

Charlotte Biggs, a current board member with the PAWS shelter, said she has always had a passion for caring about the well-being of animals. Biggs has been volunteering and advising alongside PAWS for over 25 years, building a close bond with the organization.

“I have always been passionate about animal welfare; my support of PAWS Shelter of Central Texas has been my contribution to the goal of saving and improving the lives of more animals,” said Biggs.

From providing physical care to animals in need to helping stop overpopulation and helping end the needless euthanasia of animals, PAWS and Austin Pets Alive! are continuously working together to save as many animals’ lives as possible.

Veterinarian, President and CEO of Austin Pets Alive!, Ellen Jefferson, said she is excited to be collaborating with PAWS to reopen the Kyle location.

Jefferson and others at Austin Pets Alive! have worked together to help open another thrift store in the San Marcos area.

“The main goal that we are trying to achieve is stopping the needless euthanasia of animals that are in animal shelters,” said Jefferson.

“And so, by partnering with nonprofits, we’re able to really start trying to expand our scope and help more places become no-kill.”

Both Biggs and Jefferson believe that collaborating will create a positive impact for the Central Texas community. By helping reopen the Kyle location, animals throughout Central Texas will receive more care, funding and support to find their forever homes.

“Our combined efforts can provide an increase in saving the lives of more animals through increased outreach and service throughout Hays County,” said Biggs.

“And most importantly, help increase adoption, foster, spay/neuter and medical care.”

To learn more about this transition, check out the Austin Pets Alive! website and visit the new Hays County Pets Alive! and PAWS Shelter of Central Texas websites.