Young-Williams Animal Center began as the Knoxville/Knox County Animal Welfare Center that opened in January 2001. As the demand for animal services continued to grow, a group of concerned citizens, including attorneys Lindsay Young and Mark Williams, knew that a larger and more sophisticated facility was needed.

They began a campaign to build the new center as a partnership with the city and county along with private citizens who shared a passion for animal welfare.

The city and county provided funds for the kennel holding areas while a newly organized board of directors raised funds for the adoption floor and upgraded amenities throughout the building.

As a result of these efforts, Young-Williams Animal Center moved into a new $3.7 million facility in May 2004.

Young-Williams Animal Village opened in 2010 and is home to a secondary adoption floor, as well as the Young-Williams Spay/Neuter Solutions.

In July of 2012, Young-Williams Animal Center became a private 501(c)(3) organization.

In 2018, Young-Williams Animal Center achieved for the first time in its history no-kill status. The definition of no-kill means saving all medically and behaviorally treatable animals and maintaining a save rate of 90% or more.