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FREE Pet Resources in Austin
FREE pet resources in Austin TX including FREE rabies vaccines, FREE spay and neuter programs, FREE microchipping, and low-cost veterinary care for Austin and Travis County pet owners, plus public off-leash dog parks across Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle and Leander.
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Austin Animal Services
Also FREE rabies vaccines, spay/neuter, microchips & pet ID tags
Visit siteAustin Humane Society Pet Food Pantry
Cat/dog food for people and pets in crisis — one visit per household per month, by email appointment.
Visit siteAustin Pets Alive! – P.A.S.S.
FREE helpline that keeps pets out of the shelter with emergency pet food, medical referrals, behavior help, and rehoming resources.
Visit siteCity of Austin Pet Resource Center
FREE microchipping, pet ID tags, pet food and supplies, and help with vet/behavioral costs for those facing temporary hardship.
Visit siteEmancipet
Low-cost vet clinics across Austin
Visit sitePet Food Bank of Austin and Travis County
Nonprofit collecting and distributing pet food and supplies to under-nourished pets in Travis County.
Visit siteShadow Cats TNR
Community-cat rescue offering trap-neuter-return help, classes, and low-cost sterilization resources for the Austin/Round Rock area.
Visit siteTexas Veterinary Medical Foundation — LEAP Program
FREE veterinary care for pets of economically disadvantaged owners, especially elderly/disabled, via partner nonprofits.
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Off-leash dog parks
Public off-leash areas where your dog can run, with no entry fee listed.
Know before you go
- City of Austin rules
- Leash your dog on the way in and out (6 ft max)
- Keep it in sight and voice control
- Three dogs max per person
- Current rabies shots required
- No dogs in heat
- Pick up after your dog
- City parks are open 5am to 10pm unless posted.
- Nearby cities set their own rules, noted with each park.
City of Austin off-leash area map (2026) City of Austin dog parks and rules
Austin 13 places
Auditorium Shores Off-Leash Area
1100 W Riverside Dr3 acresWater access
About 3 acres on Lady Bird Lake at 1100 W Riverside Dr, with water access and a dog rinse station. Vic Mathias Shores next door is leash only.
Visit siteBarking Springs Off-Leash Area at Zilker Park
2105 Andrew Zilker Rd1 acre
About 1 acre along the Barton Springs spillway at 2105 Andrew Zilker Rd. Zilker parking is $3 an hour on weekends and holidays.
Visit siteCarson Ridge Bark Park
2511 Montopolis DrFenced
Small fenced dog park at 2511 Montopolis Dr in Southeast Austin.
Visit siteDavis-White Northeast Neighborhood Park Off-Leash Area
6705 Crystalbrook Dr58 acres
About 58 acres along the Walnut Creek Greenbelt at 6705 Crystalbrook Dr in Northeast Austin.
Visit siteGreat Lawn Off-Leash Area at Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd46 acres
About 46 acres on the Zilker Great Lawn, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Sections can close for turf work after ACL, so check the city park closures page. Parking is $3 an hour on weekends and holidays.
Visit siteGreat Northern Dam Off-Leash Area (Far West)
10 acres
About 10 acres in a grassy detention basin off Great Northern Blvd in Northwest Austin.
Visit siteMary Moore Searight Metro Park Off-Leash Area
907 W Slaughter Ln39 acres
About 39 acres in South Austin at 907 W Slaughter Ln; the off-leash trail starts on S First St.
Visit siteOnion Creek Greenbelt Off-Leash Area
7004 Onion Creek Dr107 acres
About 107 acres of quiet greenbelt trail at 7004 Onion Creek Dr in Southeast Austin.
Visit siteRed Bud Isle
3401 Red Bud Trl13 acresNot fencedSwimming
A 13-acre island below Tom Miller Dam at 3401 Red Bud Trl where dogs love to swim. Not fenced. Blue-green algae has been found in Lady Bird Lake, so keep dogs away from algae mats.
Visit siteRiverside Shores (Norwood) Off-Leash Area
1016 Edgecliff Terrace2 acresFencedSmall dog areaShade
About 2 fenced acres with double gates, shade and a separate small dog area at 1016 Edgecliff Terrace, East Riverside.
Visit siteTriangle Commons Neighborhood Park Off-Leash Area
722 W 46th StFenced
Small fenced dog area at 722 W 46th St, near Hyde Park.
Visit siteWalnut Creek Metro Park Off-Leash Area
12138 N Lamar Blvd185 acres
About 185 acres of off-leash woods and trails north of the creek at 12138 N Lamar Blvd.
Visit siteWest Austin Neighborhood Park Dog Area
1317 W 10th StFenced
Fenced dog area with stone terraces at 1317 W 10th St in Clarksville.
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Nearby cities 5 places
Cedar Bark Park, Cedar Park
5 acresFencedDog pondSmall dog area
City of Cedar Park dog park inside Veterans Memorial Park, about 5 fenced acres with a dog pond, showers and separate small and large dog areas. No entry fee listed. Leashes come off only inside the fenced areas, two dogs per person, current vaccinations required, no food or treats. Closed Tuesday 7am to 3pm and Friday 7 to 11am for upkeep.
Visit siteDog Depot, Round Rock
800 Deerfoot DrFenced
City of Round Rock fenced dog park at 800 Deerfoot Dr, behind Lake Creek Pool. No entry fee listed. Open 6am to 6pm October to March and 6am to 8pm April to September. Dogs must be vaccinated and microchipped; no food or treats.
Visit siteLakewood Park Dog Park, Leander
2040 Artesian Springs CrossingOpen 6am to 10pm
Dog park inside City of Leander's Lakewood Park at 2040 Artesian Springs Crossing, along with trails, a playground and a fishing pier. Park open 6am to 10pm. No entry fee listed for the dog park.
Visit siteSteeplechase Park Dog Park, Kyle
295 Hallie DrOpen 5am to 11pm
City of Kyle dog park at Steeplechase Park, 295 Hallie Dr, with dog waste stations. Park open 5am to 11pm daily. No entry fee listed.
Visit siteThe Bark Park, Georgetown
151 Holly StSmall dog areaShade
City of Georgetown dog park at 151 Holly St in a shady pecan grove, with an agility course, dog fountains and separate small and large dog areas. No entry fee listed. Leash in and out, voice control, current rabies shots and tags, two dogs per person, pick up after your dog.
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Hours and programs change often. Call ahead before you go. Know something that belongs here? Email freeinaustin@gmail.com.