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.

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