AUSTIN ZOO & ANIMAL SANCTUARY

 In the 1950s much of the ranch land in this area was used to raise Angora goats and pheasants.  In 1978, Cindy Carroccio and her sister purchased their first 20 acres of property to raise Nubian goats.  Gradually, more acreage was added, and in 1990, Cindy and her husband Jim started the Good Day Ranch, which catered to animals in need.  At that time, the animals consisted mostly of goats, pigs, fallow deer, donkeys and ponies ... with a few exotics.  Nowadays, the zoo has about 300 animals and about 100 species.  In 1994, the name was changed to "Austin Zoo" to reflect the broad variety of exotic animals and our reliance on public donations and park admittance.  Last year, over 200,000 people visited Austin Zoo, with over 45,000 school kids on field trips, and hundreds more in summer camp.

Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary is located just off Highway 290, between Austin and Dripping Springs.  As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization since 2000, they now rely on private donations, gate admissions,  grants and sponsorships for continued growth. Over 90 percent of the animals are rescued, and we do not breed animals or offer commercial sales. 

The problem of unwanted or rescued animals is large.  An average of 200 requests to care for additional animals, "from goats to elephants," are turned down by Austin Zoo each month.  Due to the growth of "roadside zoos" and private ownership of exotic animals, along with the release of older animals from big city zoos to smaller facilities, the animals have multiplied at a rapid rate.  education.