OPINION: Solutions to strays must be found, adopted on a global scale
Nov 07, 2024 In Huancayo, Peru, a city of 122,000 nestled in the Andes, stray dogs roam freely. This scene, common throughout much of Latin America, stands in stark contrast to the pristine streets of many American cities. But the absence of visible strays in the U.S. doesn’t mean the problem doesn’t exist — it’s just hidden behind shelter walls. My recent visit to my grandmother’s home in Huancayo after years away was a reminder of this reality. The streets teemed with dogs of all breeds and sizes, from German...
Emergency Help Needed with Wildfire in Bastrop County!
Nov 05, 2024 11/5/24 Update: The Hudson fires that sparked just east of Bastrop on Sunday are now 50% contained and evacuations lifted; however, our support of animals in need continues today. Bastrop Animal Care Service (BCAS) has shared that Animal Care Officers are canvasing the affected area, and APA! stands at the ready to take any injured animals that they may find. In addition to taking in injured animals, we’re also bringing more pets, including kittens(!) from BCAS later this afternoon! Here’s how you can help...
The Power of Pets and Volunteering: Enhancing Emotional Resilience and Well-Being
Oct 10, 2024 In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is vital, and two impactful ways to enhance emotional well-being are through pets and volunteering. Both can foster resilience, improve overall well-being, and promote a positive outlook on life. Companionship and Social Connections Pets provide unconditional companionship, lifting spirits and alleviating loneliness. Interacting with animals boosts oxytocin and lowers cortisol, contributing to emotional health. Similarly, volunteering helps build social connections, leading to...
The Importance of Industry-Wide Education to Establish a Gold Standard Across Animal Sheltering.
Oct 02, 2024 Animal Shelters have been around for over 100 years, and one thing remains constant: there is a lack of transformation and innovation that leads to shelters operating archaically and killing thousands of pets a year. This is not the fault of shelter workers but the system and rules in place that led us here. Innovation is at the heart of every Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) program; our training and education program is no different! Officially named Austin Pets Alive! Training and Education (APA!Tec), this program was launched to...
Celebrating the 75th Austin FC Honorary Mascot Adopted from Austin Pets Alive!
Sep 23, 2024 Have you ever attended an Austin FC match at the Q2 Stadium? If so, you have likely met one of the Austin FC Honorary Mascot dogs! This is the fourth season the MLS club has invited Austin Pets Alive! to introduce Austin FC fans to dogs ready to leave the shelter for a home. Austin FC has featured dogs from APA! who have survived parvovirus and distemper, dogs who have been injured and use custom wheelchairs and puppies who were born in the care of the shelter. “This unique partnership has increased visibility of the dogs...
FAQ for Temporary Clinic Relocation
Sep 06, 2024 Beginning September 5th, 2024, all clinic operations and functions in Building C will be temporarily relocated to our Davenport building. A special note for fosters: Please continue to follow the same procedures for medical emergencies, appointments or medication pick-up. We apologize for any inconveniences you may encounter during this transition and assure you that we are doing everything we can to make these changes as seamless as possible. Frequently Asked Questions: Why is the clinic having to relocate? We were made aware of...
Austin Pets Alive! Collaborates on Life-Saving Treatment and Research For FIP Cats
Sep 05, 2024 Pioneering FIP Treatment helps save over 250 cats from previously considered untreatable disease. Austin, TX – [Date] – Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) has been working with the University of Florida Shelter Medicine program to conduct research on an innovative treatment to save cats infected with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Until recently, there were no viable or publicly available treatments for the disease, but the medication is now available to the public, providing hope for shelter cats. In July, more...
Grey Muzzle Grant Gives Senior Dogs at Austin Pets Alive! a Second Chance
Sep 04, 2024 AUSTIN, TX –There’s good news for old dogs this summer as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Austin Pets Alive! are among the winners. Austin Pets Alive! is one of 100 animal welfare groups chosen from nearly 400 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs and the people who love them. The winning groups are sharing more than $1 million in grants to help save and improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in their communities. “This grant will help us...
Hays County Pet Resource Center Partners with Neighbors by Ring
Aug 29, 2024 The Hays County Pet Resource Center is now a part of Neighbors by Ring, a public safety mobile app to share hyperlocal updates with Ring camera users in Hays County. Ring aims to connect residents with public safety agencies through the Neighbors App to create safer, more informed communities. Utilizing this additional tool allows us to share focused information such as educational materials, event announcements, and local resources with the community to reach a wider audience of pet owners in Hays County. Lost and found pet...
Scoop the Poop, Friends
Aug 26, 2024 Picking up dog poo isn’t anyone’s favorite activity (not that we’ve come across anyway), but it is a necessary must. And we’re trusting that everyone in Austin, and beyond, understands that this is a dirty job that can’t be ignored. Leaving dog waste sitting around is actually damaging to our environment. It is not the same as cow manure, as many may think. It doesn’t offer healthy growth to the grass and in fact, can be pretty damaging. Beyond damaging the grass, letting dog poop sit means...
