Jules Maron
Executive Director, Austin Wildlife Rescue
Jules Maron runs Austin Wildlife Rescue, where an amazing team helps more than 10,000 wild animals a year get a second chance while also helping Austinites figure out how to coexist with the wildlife around them. Born in Austin, she has lived here most of her life, and she says you know you are in the right place when you can visit all kinds of wonderful places and still always feel happy to come back home.
After 15 years in corporate finance, she left without knowing exactly what was next. The very next day she found an injured rabbit in her yard and had that panicked what do I do experience so many people have with injured wildlife. A vet finally told her about Austin Wildlife Rescue, a service she did not even know existed, and she started volunteering.
Over the last 10 years she has worked every job at the organization, from a night shift position to supervisor and on to Executive Director. Next, she is focused on building a new, permanent intake center for Austin Wildlife Rescue on the Austin Animal Services campus, a purpose-built home she is incredibly excited to see become a reality.
Austin Wildlife Rescue’s annual fundraiser, the Caring for Critters Brunch & Auction, is on October 17, 2026, and tickets are on its site.
Jules answered these questions in writing, in August 2026.
What do you make or do, in plain words?
I run Austin Wildlife Rescue, and our amazing team helps more than 10,000 wild animals a year get a second chance, while also helping Austinites figure out how to coexist with the wildlife around them.
What would you tell someone who moved here last week?
Austin is such a unique blend of green space and urban life, so embrace the mix. Wildlife will be sharing your neighborhood with you, wherever that may be. Texas has an incredible diversity of species, and there are so many ways to enjoy and appreciate our wild neighbors. And if you are ever not sure what to do when you encounter one, reach out to Austin Wildlife Rescue, we are always happy to help.
What is the thing you have made or done here that you are proudest of?
Taking a chance. After 15 years in corporate finance, I left without knowing exactly what was next. The very next day, I found an injured rabbit in my yard and had that panicked what do I do experience so many people have with injured wildlife. After calling around, a vet finally told me about Austin Wildlife Rescue. I didn’t even know wildlife rehabilitation existed, but I immediately thought it was amazing, and such a needed service. It’s one of those services you don’t know you need until you urgently need it. I started volunteering, then was offered a night shift position, then days, then supervisor, and over the last 10 years I’ve worked every job here, all the way to Executive Director. It’s the best job in the world. We get to help thousands of wild animals every year, but we also get to help the people who care enough to bring them to us. I love seeing the relief on someone’s face when they walk through our doors, because I was that person once, too.
What are you working on next?
We’re working on building a new, permanent intake center for Austin Wildlife Rescue on the Austin Animal Services campus. After years of operating out of spaces that were never really designed for wildlife rehabilitation, we finally have the opportunity to create a purpose-built home for wildlife intake in Austin and, more importantly, a place that will be there for the community for decades to come. It’s a huge step for us and something I’m incredibly excited to see become a reality.
What is one opinion you hold about Austin that most people here would argue with?
I don’t care how good the food is—I don’t think it’s worth standing in line
for hours to get it. 😉
Where do you actually eat, drink, or hang out? Name real places.
I’m a coffee addict. If there’s coffee on the way to work, on the way home, or just generally on the way, and honestly, even a little out of the way, I’m there. I’m usually passing by a Starbucks, but Mozart’s will always hold a special place in my heart whenever I can get there.
How did you land in Austin, and why did you stay?
I was born in Austin and have lived here most of my life. I think you know you’re in the right place when you can visit all kinds of wonderful places and still always feel happy to come back home.
Know somebody making Austin more interesting? Tell us your story.