9th Annual · October 17, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Austin

Caring for Critters
Brunch & Auction 2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a morning of community, generosity, and care for wildlife.

To our guests, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, and staff: thank you for helping make this year’s brunch possible and for being part of Austin Wildlife Rescue’s work.

See the 2026 Photos Meet our sponsors
Guests smile together around a table at the 2026 Caring for Critters Brunch
Friends of wildlife at the 2026 Caring for Critters Brunch & Auction.

A look back

A morning together for wildlife

Our 9th annual Caring for Critters Brunch & Auction brought friends of Austin Wildlife Rescue together for brunch, the silent auction, and stories from a year of wildlife care. We also shared a look at AWR’s future and the new permanent intake center.

Thank you for supporting the animals who need care today and the future we’re building for those who will need us tomorrow.

With gratitude

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors

We’re grateful to the businesses, families, and individuals whose generosity helped make this year’s event possible.

  • Connie Maron
  • Pamala Nelson
  • Johnson–Garcia Family
  • Dr. Deborah A. Stone
  • Carol Philipson
  • Richard and Michelle Manson
  • Anonymous

Special thanks to

  • Modern Luxury
  • JP’s Peace Love & Happiness
  • dottie & Justin Godfrey
  • Anonymous

The care continues

You can continue supporting wildlife in AWR’s care or learn more about the capital campaign for our new permanent intake center.

Support Wildlife Care Explore the intake center campaign

From the morning

2026 brunch photo gallery

A look at the people and moments that made the day special. Thank you for helping us keep Austin wild.

Elegantly set banquet table with folded napkins, glassware, plated appetizers, and a reserved table sign in a conference ballroom.
Elegant banquet table set with blue linens, folded napkins, glassware, silverware, fruit platter, and a reserved table sign in a warmly lit dining hall
Attendees browse a community event booth with wildlife-themed T-shirts and promotional materials.
Woman in patterned dress and glasses laughing while holding a champagne glass at a busy social gathering
Four people pose with drinks at an indoor reception, with a mirrored wall and other guests in the background.
Group portrait at a Caring for Critters brunch and auction event, with an event presentation projected in the background.
Crowded charity brunch in a banquet hall with round dining tables, plated meals, and a fundraising goal presentation screen
People networking at a registration event in a hotel ballroom
Guests dining at a formal banquet with blue-clothed round tables, stage presentations, and chandeliers
Group of six people smiling at a formally set banquet table with blue tablecloths at a Subaru event
Group of six people dining at a banquet event with a blue tablecloth, drinks, and appetizers
Austin Wildlife Rescue standee featuring a person posing as a giant opossum carrying six baby opossums
Person posing through an owl-themed Austin Wildlife Rescue photo cutout while another person takes a picture
Man speaking into a microphone to an audience at an Austin wildlife rescue event.
Man speaking into a microphone at an event for Austin Wildlife Rescue, with an audience seated in the foreground
Speaker presents Austin Wildlife Rescue’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wildlife, with raccoon photos displayed on a projection screen.
Austin Wildlife Rescue fundraising brunch and auction with speaker, seated guests, and a $250,000 fundraising goal displayed on screen
Guests dine at a fundraising event while a presenter shows a community support slideshow.
Audience at a wildlife conservation fundraising dinner viewing a capital campaign presentation
Large audience seated at banquet tables watching a presentation on projection screens in a hotel ballroom
Audience attending an owl presentation and fundraiser in a banquet hall, with screens showing Athena’s Owlet wildlife center slides.
Five people pose at Austin Wildlife Rescue’s Caring for Critters brunch and auction in front of an event presentation screen.
Five smiling people pose onstage in front of a presentation slide for Austin Wildlife Rescue’s Caring for Critters brunch and auction.
Five people pose at the 9th annual Caring for Critters brunch and auction for Austin Wildlife Rescue.
Austin Wildlife Rescue team posing for a group photo in front of a branded backdrop.
Two people smile and pose for a photo at an indoor networking event while another attendee takes their picture.
Two smiling women pose together at an indoor event, one wearing a colorful sweater and the other an owl wildlife rescue T-shirt.
Two women smiling and hugging at an indoor gathering with tables and guests in the background.
Two smiling women posing together at a banquet or conference event.
Woman arranging items at a charity event table with raffle prizes, coffee, champagne, and a Zilker Botanical Garden membership sign
Tattooed woman in a Keep Austin Wild! shirt holding a wine glass at an event table.
Woman holding a wine glass at a fundraiser table with raffle prizes and a Zilker Botanical Garden membership sign
Smiling woman at a charity auction table displaying artwork, wine, gift cards, and raffle items
Four women organize papers and supplies at a registration table indoors.
People browse artwork, gift baskets, and other items at a silent auction table.
Woman at an Austin Wildlife Rescue fundraiser table displaying an owl painting, books, stained-glass art, gift baskets, and raffle items
Guests browse artwork and auction items at an indoor fundraising event with a sponsor slideshow.
People browsing auction items and talking at a crowded indoor fundraiser event.
Guests browse artwork and auction items at a charity event with sponsor presentations in a hotel banquet hall.
Woman organizing an art auction table with framed artwork, bidding sheets, and an orange backpack at an indoor event
Smiling older man holding a large Tito’s gift box indoors
Bartender pours champagne into a flute at a formal event while a guest watches.
Crowded wildlife charity fundraising dinner with guests seated at tables, dining beneath chandeliers while a conservation presentation plays on a large screen.
Audience attending a seated conference dinner with a speaker and sponsor presentation screens in a hotel ballroom
Audience attending a formal charity dinner with a speaker on stage and sponsor logos projected on a screen
Audience attending a presentation in a hotel conference ballroom with large projection screens
Large banquet hall filled with guests dining at round tables during an event
Crowded charity brunch and auction with attendees dining beneath screens displaying a $250,000 fundraising goal
Audience dining at a formal event while a speaker presents a Keeping Austin Wild wildlife rescue slideshow.
Two people shake hands at an Austin Wildlife Rescue booth displaying wildlife rehabilitation supplies, stuffed animals, and a donation sign.
Man holding a smartphone beside a small turtle in a blue pet playpen
Close-up of a golden-brown tortoise with a patterned shell and textured legs on black fabric
Sulcata tortoise eating leafy greens from a bowl on a soft blanket
Sulcata tortoise eating leafy greens and vegetables from a dish in a fleece-lined pet playpen
Abstract yellow, blue, and black artwork displayed beside an information sign about Torchy, a Texas tortoise.
Museum exhibit featuring an abstract black, gold, and white tortoise artwork beside an informational sign about the Texas tortoise, with a pen and worksheet on a round table.
Wildlife donation display with a sign about providing 6,000 meals daily, vegetables scattered on a table, and a bowl of food.
Illustration of a patterned armadillo on a red background
Framed illustration of a floral fox print displayed at a charity art auction
Craft fair display featuring stained-glass ornaments, an owl painting, gift baskets, books, and raffle forms
Charity auction table with a Patagonia backpack, framed artwork, gift certificate, raffle forms, and pens
Tito’s vodka gift basket and event raffle display with bottles, branded hat, Austin Film Festival sign, and charity information
Tito’s vodka gift basket displayed at an Austin Film Festival event, with bottles, branded merchandise, event signage, and artwork.
Austin Wildlife Rescue merchandise display with animal-themed T-shirts, tote bag, beanie, mugs, and branded table banner
Austin Wildlife Rescue merchandise booth with animal-themed T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and beanies at an indoor event
Event table displaying folded graphic T-shirts and colorful promotional cards, with attendees standing nearby
Man seated at an event production table beside a projected QR code for auction bidding.