Hays County and the City of Kyle plan to build and open a new animal shelter in 2026, after San Marcos decided to not renew its interlocal agreement.
In 2024, the city of San Marcos ended its partnership with the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) due to severe overcrowding and the city’s rapid growth. On Jan. 26, Hays County approved an interlocal agreement for a new animal shelter with the city of Kyle, offering a larger space for animals, set to open by the end of 2026.
Hays County Commissioner Michelle Cohen said the future facility will be located in Kyle at the intersection of Sunflower Road and Dacy Lane.
“It’s not just a shelter. It’s a place to house, care for and support the community so animals can stay with their families,” Cohen said.
Since 2022, SMRAS continues to struggle with overcrowding as more animals continue to come in. According to the animal services 2025 annual report, the shelter took in 2,349 dogs, 1,764 cats and 343 other animals.
Cohen said the new shelter will offer veterinary care, adoption services and housing for cats, dogs and some larger animals.
At its April 8, 2025, meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court created the Animal Welfare Services Division to manage programs like adoption events, vaccination clinics and spay and neuter services.
During the meeting, Commissioner Walt Smith said the division will keep animal services at the county level, giving officials more direct control and consistency instead of depending on outside partnerships that might not always be guaranteed.
“I think that this division, housed in the public health department, gives us roots; it gives us oversight,” Smith said during the meeting.
Cohen said the animal welfare services division will help ensure long-term support for pets and their owners, regardless of who is in office.
“This initiative can’t rely on one person in office,” Cohen said. “With the Animal Welfare Division, we can maintain services no matter who sits on the court.”
With the Hays County population estimated to reach 314,441 in 2026 and Texas State continuing its streak of record-breaking enrollment, the rising number of pets requires a long-term solution, according to Cohen.
“We’ve all seen the growth in our county. More people means more pets,” Cohen said. “We wanted to take more accountability for animal services and make sure pets and their families are supported.”
Jerrod Sawyer, a volunteer at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter and general studies sophomore, said overcrowding creates a loud, chaotic environment that stresses animals and triggers survival instincts.
“The animal shelter is very loud,” Sawyer said. “I do think a reduction of animals could calm tensions down for [the animals].”
“Shelter stress” is how an animal reacts to different variables in a shelter. Stress can stifle the animal’s personality and suppress their immune system, which could lower chances of adoption, according to the Animal Humane Society.
Sawyer said the high stress environment animals are placed in affects their behavior and overall well-being.
“Environment depicts what you become,” Sawyer said. “That applies to animals just like it does to humans.”
Cohen said the new facility could house more than 100 animals, including larger pets such as horses or ponies, depending on future needs.
“We want this to be a place where the community can come together for pets,” Cohen said. “It’s a game changer for East Hays County, which has long lacked resources for animals and residents alike.”
Residents will be able to attend future open houses, ask questions and support programs once the shelter opens, according to Cohen.
