Tired of running alone? Need motivation to walk daily?

Adopt a Running Buddy!


Adopt a running buddy is an independent website and marketing program created and run by volunteers of Town Lake Animal Center in Austin, Texas.

Town Lake receives over 22,000 animals each year, but finds homes for less than half of them. There would be enough homes if more people got their pets from a shelter. By spreading the word about the great, but often overlooked dogs that fill Austin's shelter, we hope to save lives. We also want to encourage adopters to make their dogs a part of a healthy active lifestyle. Dogs are happiest and on their best behavior when they have regular daily exercise and medical research shows that people need daily exercise too. What better way to get it than by running or walking with your dog?

Choosing your buddy

Visit photos.townlakedogs.com to see photos, slideshows, and even videos of all our featured dogs. To make it easier, we've divided the dogs into two groups based on their energy level, running buddies and walking buddies. Of course, running buddies can make great walking companions and walking buddies can run.

When you see a dog you're interested in, you can visit it at the shelter, or email a volunteer to learn more information about the dog or to arrange for the volunteer to introduce you to the dog and help you determine if it's the right dog for you. Each dog has its own email address that is the dog's name @townlakedogs.com. If you don't see a dog you like here, visit TLAC's website to view all the adoptable dogs. We're always adding new dogs, so check back regularly, or subscribe to an rss feed at our photo site.

Featured dogs at offsite adoption venues

Thanks to Austin Pets Alive! many of our featured dogs will be attending offsite adoption events around town beginning in late April. Visit our calendar page to see if your favorite is somewhere other than Town Lake for the day. You can subscribe to our to learn about adoption and other pet-related events.

Bringing your buddy home

Once you've chosen your dog, Town Lake Animal Center handles all the details of the adoption process. If you adopt one of "our" dogs, make sure to keep us posted on how he or she is doing. You can even send us photos and we will add them to the dog's album. As volunteers, we love nothing better than hearing how well our dogs are doing. And if the dog is not doing well, let us know that, too. Most behavior problems are solvable with the right intervention. We have lots of contacts in the animal world who can help you resolve most issues. We even have access to low-cost training options. Most shelter dogs are not perfect, but a little knowledge and consistency can work wonders.

Here are other ways you can help

  • Spay or neuter your pet or help pay for a neighbor's pet.
  • Microchip and register your pet so it can be identified if lost.
  • Volunteer at Town Lake. Trail dogs volunteers can even take dogs for runs on the hike and bike trail.
  • Print one of our flyers and post it at your job or business.