The Hays County Commissioners Court voted to extend its partnership with the City of San Marcos, ensuring that the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter will continue to house non‑livestock animals from the county until Sept. 30, 2027. The agreement, approved during the court’s recent meeting, formalizes the shelter’s role as the primary animal‑sheltering service for Hays County for the 2026‑27 fiscal year.
How the agreement works
Under the new interlocal agreement, the San Marcos shelter will receive and house animals that are turned over by the county. While the shelter will not provide animal‑control enforcement, it will serve exclusively as a sheltering facility. Once the statutory hold period expires, the animals become the property of the City of San Marcos.
Impact on neighboring cities
In addition to Hays County, the cities of Kyle and Buda will continue to contract animal‑shelter services from San Marcos for the 2026‑27 fiscal year. This three‑city arrangement preserves continuity of care for pets and other non‑livestock animals across the region.
Background to the renewed partnership
Earlier this year, the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter announced plans to end all regional partnerships by September 2026, which would have included Hays County, Kyle and Buda. The three entities had previously explored building a new regional shelter at Kyle Vista Park. However, on July 30, the Kyle City Council voted to designate the site as parkland, prompting a pause and reevaluation of the shelter project.
With the Kyle site no longer available for a joint shelter, the parties returned to the existing arrangement. The new agreement guarantees that San Marcos will continue to provide shelter services to all three jurisdictions for the upcoming fiscal year. Should any city wish to modify the service or policy, Hays County will receive a 30‑day notice outlining the proposed changes.
What this means for residents
For pet owners in Hays County, Kyle and Buda, the agreement offers stability and assurance that stray or surrendered animals will be cared for by an established facility. The continued partnership also avoids the disruption that would have accompanied the closure of regional services and the uncertain timeline of a new shelter construction.
County officials emphasized that the agreement aligns with the community’s commitment to responsible animal welfare and reflects a collaborative approach among neighboring municipalities. By maintaining the existing shelter infrastructure, the region can focus resources on other pressing local priorities while still meeting the needs of animal‑care services.
Next steps
The interlocal agreement will be monitored throughout the fiscal year, with regular updates provided to the Commissioners Court. If the City of San Marcos proposes any changes to the shelter’s operations, Hays County will be given a 30‑day warning period to review and respond.
Both the County and the City of San Marcos expressed optimism that the renewed partnership will serve the community well until a future solution—whether a new regional facility or another collaborative model—is identified.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
