At Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), every tax-deductible donation you make supports Austin’s No Kill Mission and directly impacts the lives of the most vulnerable animals in our community. As a donor, you deserve to understand how funds are raised, how they are spent, and how every dollar helps save lives across Central Texas. We are committed to showing you the direct impact of your generosity.
We prioritize putting the vast majority of every dollar directly towards lifesaving. Our spending consistently exceeds the rigorous efficiency standards set by the nation’s major charity evaluators, ensuring your gift goes where it matters most: to the animals.
Animal Care & Adoption
The majority of program funding goes directly to caring for animals and helping them find homes through our innovative lifesaving programs. This includes specialized support for at-risk populations and initiatives designed to keep pets with their families whenever possible.
Austin Lifesaving, Community Support & National Impact
Outreach, education, and research initiatives help improve animal welfare in Texas and across the country.
Transport & Infrastructure
Facilities like our Elgin Transport Center allow APA! to save more lives across Texas.
This balance ensures animals receive excellent care today while building systems that save more lives tomorrow.
Austin Pets Alive! has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (2025) and Platinum-level transparency from Candid (2025), the highest distinctions from both organizations, and we have maintained these honors consistently for several years. APA! is also frequently voted Best Nonprofit in Austin by Austin Monthly, The Austin Chronicle, and other local publications, reflecting the trust and support of our community.
Explore the Data:
Download our IRS Form 990s and audited financial statements.
Operating a comprehensive, high-volume lifesaving organization requires significant resources.
To maintain Austin’s status as the largest No Kill city in the country, APA! spends more than $1.4 million each month to:
Support nearly 200 staff members working alongside thousands of volunteers
Provide medical care, food, and enrichment for about 10,000 to 12,000 animals a year
Maintain facilities and lifesaving infrastructure across our downtown Austin location, Tarrytown location, Shelter Pet Hospital, Transport Hub in Elgin, and five thrift stores.
Respond quickly to emergencies and community needs
Your donation helps keep these systems strong, responsive, and focused.
2023: Investing in Lifesaving Infrastructure
In 2023, APA! launched a capital campaign to build our Shelter Pet Hospital. Donor pledges were recorded following standard nonprofit accounting practices, allowing construction to move forward. Short-term loans were used during construction and are being paid down as pledges are fulfilled.
2024: Saving More Lives Across Texas
In 2024, APA! expanded our Transport program statewide, opening a new Transport Hub and increasing capacity to save pets beyond Austin. This growth included multi-year grants dedicated specifically to transport and lifesaving expansion.
2025: Adjusting After COVID and Responding to Crisis
In 2025, APA! focused on rebalancing operations after pandemic-era growth while responding to historic Central Texas flooding. Temporary increases in spending ensured pets and families received immediate help during emergencies.
Figures from 2023–2024 are audited. 2025 figures are projected.
We are a community-powered organization. APA! is primarily funded by individual donors, people who believe that every animal deserves a chance at life.
Corporations and employee matching programs
Foundations and trusts
Earned revenue from adoptions, thrift stores, retail sales, and contracts
In-kind donations such as pet food, litter, and facility support
No government funding: Unlike many municipal shelters, Austin Pets Alive! does not receive city, state, or federal funding for our lifesaving work. We do have an agreement with the City of Austin that allows us to operate out of the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) in exchange for pulling 12% of the city’s previous intake and 5 behavior dogs per month—requirements we consistently exceed. Through this partnership, APA! is proud to be the City of Austin’s largest rescue partner, saving thousands of animals each year thanks entirely to our community supporting Austin animal welfare.
This diverse funding allows APA! to remain resilient while continuing lifesaving work.
To ensure the highest level of security and efficiency, APA! uses a secure Dallas-based lockbox provided by our bank to process mailed donations. An Austin lockbox was not available when the system was established with our current financial institution. This approach allows timely processing, accuracy, and security for donor gifts.
Yes, stock gifts are a powerful way to support lifesaving.
If you plan to donate stock or securities, we kindly ask that you notify APA! when initiating the transfer. This allows us to properly track your gift and thank you promptly.
Every donation to Austin Pets Alive! supports lifesaving programs, responsible operations, and long-term impact. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and using every dollar to help animals and the people who love them.
