Started as a goat ranch which only had domesticated animals like goats, pigs, fallow deer, donkeys and ponies, the Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary*is now home to 300 animals from 100 different species consisting of African Lions, Bengal Tigers, Cougars, Jaguars, three species of Monkeys, Black Bears, Ring-Tailed Lemurs and Porcupines. By the year 200, the zoo became a non-profit organization and started to rescue animals that were awarded by the judicial system with protection and animals that were unwanted by their owners.

Yearly the zoo receives a growing number of visitors, in last year alone over 200,000 people visited the Austin Zoo. This includes more than 45,000 students and teachers visiting the zoo for educational fieldtrips. In 2000, the zoo became a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. In 2009, four wolf hybrids were added to the growing Austin Zoo family after it has been abandoned by its owners during Hurricane Ike.

Austin Zoo also welcomes volunteers to help care for the animals as well as to support other zoo needs. Regular hours are 10am until 6pm and winter hours is 10am until 5:30pm. There are different admission charges depending on the ages of the visitors.