More About Us…

Huge strides have been taken toward the goal of making the Austin Animal Center, Austin’s public city and county animal shelter, the largest “no-kill” facility in the country. Still, there are always some dogs that never get picked for a forever home. Maybe they’re too old, too shy, too scared, not cute enough, or a bit rough around the edges. For whatever reason, they remain at the shelter for months, stuck in their kennels all day with only one or two short trips outside. Even the Humane Society, Austin Pets Alive, and the shelter’s other hardworking rescue partners are unable to assist the Hounds. They’re good dogs with good hearts, and they need just one lucky break to show what loyal, loving, lifetime companions they can be. Every day these Hard Luck Hounds languish at the shelter, they move one day closer to being put to death.

A city as good as Austin should save these treasures, not kill them.

We’re working to find each of these dogs a forever home. We’re convinced that if you meet our Hounds, you’ll find one to welcome into your home, your life, and your heart.

Long underfunded and understaffed, the city’s animal shelter depends on volunteers to walk, socialize, and dote on the dogs under its care. And for years, shelter volunteers have watched too many of these dogs linger for weeks or months, waiting for adopters that never come. Sometimes, these long stay dogs are finally deemed “unadoptable” and killed. But we volunteers know better. The longer dogs stay, the better we get to know them, and the more we appreciate what makes each one special. Hard Luck Hounds was formed as an effort to save these dogs. We want to show you how precious they are. We want to work with you for as long as necessary to make sure your adoption is successful. This is our extra effort for dogs that need it, and deserve it.

Video: Hard Luck Hounds founder David Pasztor talks about how HLH is helping to make Austin truly no-kill.

Our Organization

We’re grateful for the support and cooperation of the Austin Animal Center, but Hard Luck Hounds is not an agency or department of the City of Austin. We are a volunteer effort, established under the auspices of the Friends of Austin Animal Center, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that raises funds and supports the work of the Austin Animal Center. Contributes to the program are tax deductible.