History

In the late-1990’s, EMANCIPE+ founder Dr. Ellen Jefferson was a young shelter vet struggling to help animals in an overburdened shelter system that killed more than it saved.  By 1999, her experiences had transformed her into a passionate animal activist on a mission to end the killing of homeless pets.   It was in June of 1999 that Dr. Jefferson officially founded EMANCIPE+ as a new non-profit that would provide low-cost spay/neuter services to reduce the number of unwanted pets in Austin.

With a new Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic and an exceptionally skilled veterinary team, EMANCIPE+ sterilized over 5,000 pets in just the first year.  The demand for these services was astounding – and growing.  In 2003, EMANCIPE+ was named one of the top three models for Mobile Spay/Neuter services by Best Friends Animal Society.  By 2005, EMANCIPE+ had opened a stationary clinic, and the following year increased capacity with additional surgery suites at the clinic and a shuttle service for clients with transportation barriers.  In June of 2009 Emancipet celebrated its 10th Anniversary and had  safely sterilized over 100,000 pets.

Today, EMANCIPE+ is one of Texas’s most effective and innovative animal advocacy agencies, and our services have grown beyond low-cost pet sterilization to include walk-up wellness clinics, microchipping and pet identification, and advocacy efforts.