On March 1, 2007, the HSWC implemented a “No-Kill” sheltering model. With the opening of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelterthe new municipally-operated facility to house all stray and owner-released animals in the areawe have refocused their life-saving efforts towards community services and programs that will enable Williamson County to become a safe place where no adoptable pet is euthanized simply because it cannot find a home.
HSWC remains committed to serving the needs of all types of pets, but limits the number of animals that are cared for at the shelter at any one time.
With more clearly focused programs to support their mission, they can achieve more to move their community toward a No-Kill community.
The combination of high volume adoptions, accessible and affordable spay/neuter services along with programs to help families keep their pets are the keys to building a No-Kill community.
There are no good guys or bad guys in the animal sheltering world. Both “No-Kill” and open-door organizations want euthanasia to end.
They can help reduce euthanasia rates by spaying or neutering their pets, adopting from a shelter, and supporting their local animal shelter with monetary donations or volunteer time.

Volunteers founded the Humane Society of Williamson County in 1979 in response to the growing need for a full-service intake and adoption shelter in a county with a rapidly increasing pet population.
The volunteers that created HSWC did so with goals that included preventing cruelty to animals, promoting responsible pet ownership, and instilling the concept of pets as permanent family members as opposed to disposable accessories.
Initially HSWC began with a foster home program and the first adoption day was held at Highland Mall in June of 1981. The first real office space was leased from the McCleod Animal Clinic in 1985 and the first staff members were hired.
In 1987 a warehouse on Industrial Road in Round Rock became the first kennel facility where as many as 1,000 animals were adopted each year.
In 1992 HSWC moved to a 7000 sq. ft. facility in Round Rock and in 1998 local Animal Control Officers or the public brought in over 7,000 animals.
This facility provided office space for HSWC staff, animal control officers and kennel space for our animals. There was also a small surgical area to spay or neuter adopted animals.
In October of 1999 HSWC realized an important dream and purchased 22 acres in Leander that included a house and horse barn. This move was necessitated by the growth in population of Williamson County and the expansion of the programs and services HSWC provided.

For more information, please visit http://www.hswc.netok