All elected officials representing the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter have approved the Georgetown Animal Shelter's merger with the WCRAS.

Georgetown will be the fifth member city of the WCRAS, and the merger will go into effect July 12, according to updated Georgetown City Council documents.

What we know

Over the past month, current member cities of the WCRAS—Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Hutto—approved the agreement at their respective city council meetings. At a May 13 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting, officials approved a second amendment and restatement of the WCRAS interlocal agreement.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said the WCRAS opened in March of 2007 and about three years ago, Georgetown officials approached the county to join the regional shelter.


“I think it’s past time for Georgetown to join us,” Covey said. “It doesn't make sense to have two shelters a rock’s throw apart to serve this community.”

The backstory

In 2019, the WCRAS received a $10.5 million renovation and expansion to add a new adoption center, 64 canine kennels and 93 feline kennels, according to a Williamson County news release.

Four years later, Georgetown voters approved a $15 million bond, which will be used for a Phase 1 expansion of the WCRAS, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The expansion will also include:
  • Constructing two new buildings two-story buildings
  • Consolidating staff members into one building
  • Addressing animal capacity concerns and projected needs
Georgetown’s current shelter near San Gabriel Park will be used to accommodate animals during the construction of the expanded WCRAS, Covey said.


“I appreciate the work that Georgetown has done and all of us have done on the board to make this day happen,” Covey said.

Also on the agenda

On May 13, Williamson County Commissioners approved four other agenda items relating to the WCRAS including:
  • The solicitation for a construction manager at risk for the WCRAS facility expansion
  • The solicitation for architect and engineering services to design the WCRAS facility expansion
  • A construction and joint use agreement with the city of Georgetown
  • A Georgetown Animal Shelter lease agreement between Williamson County and the city of Georgetown
Later that day, Georgetown City Council members also approved the lease agreement with Williamson County for the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Georgetown's involvement is expected to enhance shelter capacity and streamline services for residents, according to the release.

Quote of note


“Joining the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is a big win for our community,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said in the release. “This partnership means better care for our animals and more resources to help them find loving homes. And with the regional shelter right here in Georgetown, it just makes good sense for our people—and our pets."