Original Article: https://www.austinpetsalive.org/blog/senior-dogs-at-austin-pets-alive-fetch-life-saving-grant

Aug 20, 2021

AUSTIN, TX — Tails are wagging at Austin Pets Alive! this summer, as the Central Texas shelter was announced as a winning recipient of one of The Grey Muzzle Organization’s annual grants for the fifth consecutive year.

APA! is one of 77 animal welfare groups chosen from 266 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. The winning groups received more than $616,000 in grants to help save or improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in their communities.

11-year old Tiana is one of several sweet seniors at APA! who will benefit from this grant. She earned the nickname “Queen of Chairs” from her habit of wanting to try out any chair or comfy piece of furniture she encounters. Tiana came to APA! in January 2020 as an owner surrender, and has been regularly training with the shelter’s Dog Behavior team to set her up for success in a home. This grant from the Grey Muzzle Organization gives dogs like Tiana the support they need to reach for a brighter future.

Senior dogs often face an uphill battle finding adopters willing to take on an older pet. Many senior dogs also arrive at shelters with extensive medical needs, such as dental complications and heartworm disease, that most traditional shelters lack the resources to treat. Fortunately, APA!’s specialized programs are able to provide a crucial safety net for older dogs, covering the necessary medical care to improve their quality of life as they wait to find loving homes.

“Senior dogs are the best for so many reasons!” said APA!’s Dog Adoption Manager, Allison Swearingen. “It’s always sad to see them end up in a shelter setting in what should be their golden, easy years; but luckily tons of people are catching on about these well-mannered pups! They already have years of training under their belts and are just looking for a comfy home to spend the rest of their lives in while giving all their love to whomever is lucky enough to rescue them!”

Over the past 13 years, the national nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided more than $3.1 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Austin Pets Alive! make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” Grey Muzzle’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer said. “Many senior dogs in the Austin Area are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of APA!.”

Source: Austin Pets Alive