Offering Hearts and Home to Better Dogs Lives
Aug 05, 2023 We love getting to know the pets while they are at the shelter, but when you take the dog out of the shelter environment, you get to see their personality really blossom! Jessie and Chris Montoya have had a front row seat witnessing many fosters bloom since 2017. When APA! jumped into action to support the dogs and cats who needed help during hurricane Harvey, many individuals and families joined in, including the Montoyas. This couple knew they could offer their hearts and homes to pets in need and quickly found their niche form...
Foster a Pup…Save A Life!
Aug 03, 2023 German Shepherd pup Wile E. Coyote was deeply in need of help when he arrived at Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). He was so emaciated that he could not stand or walk. Then Katie Plunkard entered his world and decided to foster the shy, sweet-faced puppy. “This sweet boy was my first foster experience and, boy, was it more than I bargained for. He was in such rough shape but the payoff in watching him overcome it all and get back to 100% has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she said. Under her diligent...
Pet Safety Tips During Snake Season
Jul 21, 2023 It’s sizzling in Texas and just like humans, snakes are seeking cool places to beat the heat during our record high temperatures. They may be cozied up in the shade of rocks on a favorite hiking trail, in the moist coolness around potted outdoor plants or dark recesses under decks and porches. Most of the time, snakes remain aloof and keep their distance from people and pets. But mid-summer is a peak time for snake activity, which increases the chance of a cat or dog crossing paths with the reptile while on a hike or...
APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Life: Zeus
Jul 20, 2023 Four years ago, Zeus was surrendered to the city’s municipal shelter, after living the first two years in a yard, largely left alone. And in 2021, he was pulled into APA!’s care so that the Dog Behavior Program could help support Zeus who was struggling with behavioral challenges that were causing him to be overlooked. Since that time, he’s gone in and out of foster care. The behavior team, along with his circle of friends, have continued to work with him, offering tools to navigate his world and giving him time...
APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Life: Girly & Cash
Jun 30, 2023 Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) fosters perform a vital role for all of the animals, but especially help improve the lives of dogs with behavioral challenges. During the dog’s time in a foster home, the foster can observe behavior, take notes and implement training and behavior modifications under the guidance of APA!’s Dog Behavior Program team to help these pets find adoptive homes. Finding an adoptive home other than hers didn’t quite work out for APA! volunteer, turned foster, Alexandra Bobbitt, who experienced...
How APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Love and Life: Sylvester
Jun 23, 2023 Valentine’s Day 2023 will always be special for Jeni Gossard, a volunteer with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), as it marks the day her adoption of Sylvester, a Chihuahua with a lot of love to give, became official. The journey to this point wasn’t an easy one due to trust and anxiety issues the pup had, but patience, persistence, and APA!’s expert Dog Behavior Program made this “happy beginning” possible. Sometimes perceived behaviors and issues can create barriers to adoption. APA!’s program uses a...
APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Life: Sylvester
Jun 23, 2023 Valentine’s Day 2023 will always be special for Jeni Gossard, a volunteer with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), as it marks the day her adoption of Sylvester, a Chihuahua with a lot of love to give, became official. The journey to this point wasn’t an easy one due to trust and anxiety issues the pup had, but patience, persistence, and APA!’s expert Dog Behavior Program made this “happy beginning” possible. Sometimes perceived behaviors and issues can create barriers to adoption. APA!’s program uses a...
How APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Love and Life: Ruthie
Jun 15, 2023 Dogs are social animals. Typically they love the company of other dogs, are comfortable around people, adapt readily to various situations and eagerly await at the door to welcome us home. These social skills are learned and dogs benefit from practicing them. Unlike people, pups only have body language and barking to communicate how they are feeling and misreading these cues can lead to serious misunderstandings of what the animal is trying to tell us, often resulting in pups being deemed “Behavior Dogs.” Austin Pets...
APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Life: Ruthie
Jun 15, 2023 Dogs are social animals. Typically they love the company of other dogs, are comfortable around people, adapt readily to various situations and eagerly await at the door to welcome us home. These social skills are learned and dogs benefit from practicing them. Unlike people, pups only have body language and barking to communicate how they are feeling and misreading these cues can lead to serious misunderstandings of what the animal is trying to tell us, often resulting in pups being deemed “Behavior Dogs.” Austin Pets...
How APA! Gives Behavior Dogs a Second Lease on Love and Life
Jun 01, 2023 Large breed, adult dogs have a lot of love to give the right human, but they are often the last to be adopted, placing them at risk for euthanasia. The Dog Behavior Program at Austin Pets Alive!, however, may be their lifeline. The program has successfully supported thousands of large adult dogs in need of grace by providing the precious pets with tools to cope with past traumas as well as the gift of time to heal and learn. Hudson is one of them. He entered our care in 2021, coming to us from Dogs Playing for Life. Our team has...
