News Summary
As heavy rains lead to significant flooding in Williamson County, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) has merged with the Georgetown Animal Shelter to provide vital assistance to displaced pets. Effective July 14, 2025, WCRAS will serve as the main hub for animal shelter operations, accommodating animals evacuated due to rising waters. This merger aims to enhance animal welfare services in the community, offering programs like low-cost spay/neuter clinics and vaccination events, ensuring the safety and care of pets affected by the flooding.
Georgetown Responds to Flooding with Animal Shelter Merger
As heavy rains caused significant flooding in Williamson County, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) stepped up to assist local animals. Effective July 14, 2025, WCRAS will become the main hub for animal shelter services, consolidating operations with the Georgetown Animal Shelter which is currently evacuating its animals due to rising floodwaters.
In response to the unfolding situation, WCRAS activated emergency protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals amidst the flooding crisis. As a result, the shelter’s primary focus is on the care of cats and dogs affected by the Georgetown shelter’s evacuation.
On the morning of the evacuation, WCRAS successfully took in 75 cats and 37 dogs from the Georgetown Animal Shelter. At this time, WCRAS was already caring for 145 cats and 204 dogs prior to the intake. Following the emergency intake, WCRAS suspended public services for that day, closing animal admissions and transitioning its mission toward reuniting lost pets with their families and facilitating adoption opportunities.
Emergency Response Amidst Flooding
By 1 p.m. on the evacuation day, all animals and staff from the Georgetown Animal Shelter were transferred to WCRAS. The flooding had prompted urgent action, and first responders across Central Texas had already conducted 25 water rescues by 8 a.m. on the same day, with Burnet County particularly affected.
Record rainfall exceeding a foot was reported in areas like Bertram and Burnet, creating a critical need for animal shelters to manage an overflow of displaced pets. In a collaborative effort, Austin Pets Alive! joined the initiative by taking in 19 dogs from WCRAS, creating a necessary capacity for more evacuated animals.
The Merger and Future Initiatives
Looking ahead, the much-anticipated merger between WCRAS and the Georgetown Animal Shelter is set to facilitate a more unified approach to animal sheltering in the region starting July 14, 2025. Following the merger, dog adoptions will continue at the WCRAS Red Poppy Adoptique, which will be housed in the former Georgetown Animal Shelter facility. This new adoptique aims to provide a welcoming space for families with a lovely atmosphere and will feature a Doggy Day Out program.
Georgetown residents can expect access to a wide array of services following the merger. WCRAS will offer programs such as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return clinics, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, vaccinations, microchipping, and pet registration. New quarterly vaccination clinics will be made possible through a collaboration with Petco Love.
Community Engagement and Celebration
This merger received unanimous approval from regional municipalities, including Williamson County and the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, and Georgetown, marking a commendable step toward improving animal rescue and sheltering in the region.
To celebrate this new chapter, free adoption events will be held at both WCRAS and the former Georgetown Animal Shelter on July 19, 2025, from noon to 6 p.m., featuring real-life superheroes to engage the community and promote pet adoption.
For those in need of more information, updates can be found at wilcopets.org, ensuring the community stays informed about ongoing shelter services and animal welfare initiatives.
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Williamson County Animal Shelters to Merge
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Additional Resources
- Community Impact: Georgetown Animal Shelter Merger
- Wikipedia: Georgetown, Texas
- Statesman: Floods Overwhelm Austin Shelters
- Google Search: Williamson County Animal Shelter Merger
- KVUE: Animal Shelter Flood Evacuation
- Google Scholar: Animal Shelter Management
- KXAN: Fosters Needed for Evacuated Animals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flooding Emergency Management
- LH Independent: WilCo Shelter Merger Official
- Google News: Georgetown Animal Shelter Merger
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
About the HERE Georgetown Staff Writers The HERE Georgetown Staff Writers are a dedicated team of local journalists and contributors focused on delivering accurate, timely news to the Georgetown, SC community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network—which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com—we cover everything from waterfront development and small business news to dining and local culture. Local Expertise Our team includes lifelong Georgetown residents and South Carolina natives with deep knowledge of the region’s history, economy, and coastal identity. We’ve reported on topics like Front Street revitalization, maritime heritage, and local education initiatives. Trusted Journalism With decades of combined experience, we prioritize fact-based reporting, drawing from city records, chamber data, and community voices. Every article is a team effort, researched and verified to meet high editorial standards.
