Wilco Regional Animal Shelter Offers Curbside Adoptions

ROUND ROCK, TX —Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), operating under an emergency plan amid the new coronavirus, or COVID-19 health crisis, will be closed to the public until further notice. While the organization's physical location may be temporarily shuttered, the need for services remains and the need for fosters and adopters is critical. Relying heavily on pet adoption and foster events, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of in-person activities.

It's important for the community to understand according to The World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the World Health Organization, there is no evidence that companion animals can be infected with or spread COVID-19. While the illness has created chaos for communities across the nation and the globe, animals offer a calming and safe outlet for all those coping with the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the current health advisories.

While WCRAS's shelter buildings are closed, the implemented contingency plan offers a curbside pick-up process for adopter, foster and reunions. The shelter's plan is to lower its animal population by 50%, which translates to a desperate need for aid for 60 dogs (primarily medium and big) and 30 cats.

As the shelter and communities work together to navigate these difficult times, it's important to realize animals can offer a much needed respite from the anxiety and stress associated with the ongoing public conversation on COVID-19. A companion animal, whether adopted or fostered, helps those struggling with isolation or living alone.

WCRAS has changed the hours open to the public to 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday through Saturday with adoptions, fosters, and reunions by appoint only. To assist in the effort, Wag Heaven in Georgetown, TX will provide select Zignature and Essence brand cat and dog food at no cost to individuals who take in a foster cat or dog from WCRAS during the COVID-19 response efforts. Please contact them at (512) 838-3980 for curbside service.

For those interested in adopting, pets are able to be viewed online at http://wilcopets.org. Instructions will then be delivered on how to make an appointment to see the animal. For those interested in fostering, please visit http://wilcopets.org and fill out a foster application HERE.

It is imperative that animals leave the shelter. If you are interested in adopting, view the pets online at and then email adoption@wilco.org. You will then receive instructions on how to make an appointment to see the animal. Then, email eduran@wilco.org for cat fostering or complete this form to find the right foster dog for you: https://forms.gle/MxEGbTCSBcqC3W5QA.

More Ways to Help

WCRAS will still accept donations at the Services Building (the single-story, brown building with an entrance off the Inner Loop). Please leave all donations in front of the shelter. Please place linens in plastic bags. WCRAS currently needs unopened bags of dog food and cat food, canned food, new toys in store packaging, and crates. Monetary donations can be given by clicking the donate button on our website http://wilcopets.org.

You can also order from our emergency Amazon Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/18XF7ZOHK968O?ref_=wl_share

Additionally, even through this crisis, the shelter is still vying for a chance to compete for $500K in the Innovation Showdown. Community members are encouraged to vote for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and its partner, Hyperhound, at http://petcofoundation.org/hyperhound.

ADOPTABLE DOGS

The following are a few of the several animals looking to be adopted. For a full list please click above link.

(Image via WCRAS)

Brodie, Male/Neutered, Mixed Breed, Small (under 24 lbs fully grown)/Mix, 7 years

(Image via WCRAS)

Blanco, Male/Neutered, Mixed Breed, Large (over 44 lbs fully grown)/Mix, 3 years 6 months

(Image via WCRAS)

Tex, Male/Neutered, Retriever, Labrador/Mix, 12 years 4 months

ADOPTABLE CATS

(Image via WCRAS)

Cruella, Female/Spayed, Domestic Shorthair/Mix, 5 years 4 months

(Image via WCRAS)

Fred, Male/Neutered, Domestic Shorthair/Mix, 7 months

(Image via WCRAS)

Smokey, Male/Neutered, Domestic Shorthair/Mix, 1 year 7 months