Five Local NonProfits

As we look forward to Thanksgiving in the United States of America, I think it's important to remember those who are in need of help. With that in mind, in no particular order, here are my five favorite nonprofit groups in Austin, Texas. Click on the listed nonprofits for links to each website.

1. Meals on Wheels 

This organization goes above and beyond delivering healthy meals to homebound senior citizens by also offering home repair services, help with pet care, rides around town and much more!


2. Austin Humane Society

This is a no-kill, limited intake shelter that provides great services to area pets. I benefited from the Feral Cat Trap, Neuter (or Spay), Return Program when I took L.B.'s mama cat to be spayed and vaccinated. Mama Kitty won't let me touch her, but she shows up for her dinner every evening at our carport. She won't be perpetuating the cycle of homeless cats with more kittens, and can have a safer, healthier life thanks to the TNR program.

Found cat, who we call Dottie

I will also benefit from placing our found cat, Dottie, into the adoption program if her owners don't claim her by November 27th. I have tried diligently to find this cat's family by posting 25 fliers around town in a three mile radius of our home, posting her to different found cat/found pet groups on Facebook and Neighbors websites, and updating Austin Animal Center and 311 with found cat posts. No luck yet. She is so sweet and affectionate. I know she will find a new loving home through the Austin Humane Society. (We can not, I repeat, NOT, have five cats in this little house!)

Dottie was rejected by the Austin Humane Society's adoption program. Despite being sweet at first during the intake process, she reacted negatively during and after a vaccination. I'm now scrambling to find a back-up plan for this sweet, abandoned cat. It's my fault for not understanding that she might be rejected by the Austin Humane Society. The Austin Humane Society said Dottie can try again on January 2 to pass the intake test, but sweet Dottie is probably not a fit for their highly selective adoption program. 


3. Central Texas Food Bank

This wonderful organization helps people access healthy foods in times of need through a variety of programs and services.


4. Emancipet (which has activated wonder twin powers with Animal Trustees of Austin!)

Emancipet's mission is to make spay/neuter services and veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet owners. Emancipet nips the problem of pet overpopulation in the bud, literally, with spay and neuter services, and helps pet guardians keep their pets healthy.

Our sweet dog, Janie, went to Animal Trustees of Austin which is now part of Emancipet, before we adopted her for a femoral head ostectomy, or FHO, surgery. This procedure helped repair a serious injury and allowed our sweet dog to keep all four of her legs. Over the years we have made donations to both Emancipet and Animal Trustees of Austin. I love that two of my favorite pet organizations have now joined forces to provide more comprehensive services under the Emancipet moniker, and that they have expanded beyond Austin with clinics and mobile units serving Houston, Killeen, Pflugerville and many areas in between.


5. Caritas of Austin

Caritas of Austin provides a service continuum for those experiencing poverty that begins with a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency. They use a housing first approach to provide stability to their clients.

What are your favorite nonprofit groups? Make a plan to help these groups by donating or through volunteering!