Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) is urgently searching for a new location for its Intake Center before its current lease expires at the end of November. Having been based in East Austin for 25 years, AWR is looking for a new facility to continue its vital work rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. The nonprofit posted on social media asking for help in finding a suitable property, as its current location on E. MLK Jr Boulevard no longer meets their needs.

The Intake Center is a crucial facility for AWR, where animals are received, examined, and treated before being transferred to the rehabilitation center in Elgin. Every day, members of the public, Animal Protection officers, and others bring in rescued animals. AWR treats and assesses the animals before transporting them to their larger rehab center, which is located outside of Austin. The Intake Center serves as the first point of contact for rescued wildlife in need of immediate care.

AWR has outlined the key requirements for the new location: a property between ¼ to ½ acre, with a building between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet, access to basic utilities (water, electric, internet), and adequate parking. The property should also be zoned for veterinary services or able to be rezoned, with no conditional overlays. Ideally, AWR is seeking a permanent home or at least a three-year lease within the city limits of Austin to ensure accessibility for the public.

AWR's mission is more important than ever, as it anticipates providing care for over 10,000 wild animals in 2025. The rescue has been operating in Central Texas since 1977 and is the region's largest nonprofit dedicated exclusively to wildlife protection. AWR's staff and volunteers work tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate wildlife, and the need for a new intake center is crucial to continuing this important work.