Fur-endship Goes a Long Way: Schneider, Sunflower & Gretchen
Oct 16, 2026 Sometimes, all you need is a friend to help you come out of your shell; just ask Schneider, Sunflower, and Gretchen! A Shy Guy Finds His Playmate Found living in a chicken coop, Schneider was a terrified newcomer when he Schneider first arrived at Austin Pets Alive!. That is, until he was placed in an office with Sunflower, as a shy, retired mama who was once fiercely protective of her babies, this friendship was just as surprising for her. At first, caretakers thought the pair was slowly warming up to each other. Then,...
Helping Pets Adjust to New Homes: the 3-3-3 Rule
Oct 07, 2026 Whether fostering or adopting, bringing a dog or cat home from a shelter is a beautiful beginning, but for your new pet it can also be a lot to process. A dog who was playful and affectionate with staff may be quiet and withdrawn in its new home. A cat who seemed curious in the shelter may spend the first several days hiding under the bed. Sometimes, an animal who appears confident suddenly seems nervous, unsure, or even a little overwhelmed. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, it may simply mean your new pet...
Asparagus: A Safety Net Fostering Success Story
Sep 30, 2026 Asparagus has been flexible about nearly everything in his life so far: several foster homes, a flood, a transport plan that’s changed more than once. That kind of flexibility also exemplifies Austin Pets Alive!’s Safety Net Fostering program: temporary care that flexes to fit whatever the situation demands, so a dog never loses the home he has waiting for just because the path there got complicated. Asparagus’s story began on the side of a road in Crystal City, Texas, where he was abandoned with his...
A New Chapter for Animal Welfare: PAWS Shelter of Central Texas & Hays County Pets Alive!
Sep 22, 2026 We are thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter for animal welfare in Hays County!. PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (PAWS) and Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) are joining forces to save more lives. This partnership ensures the continuation of the vital lifesaving work that PAWS has championed for decades, now bolstered by the specialized resources and support of APA!. This collaboration was born from a shared commitment to the health of animal welfare in our region. Earlier this summer, leadership of the Board of Directors at PAWS...
Journey of Lifesaving
Sep 03, 2026 Donate Now In 2009, Austin charted a bold new course. The City Council passed a resolution directing staff and the Animal Advisory Commission to construct a No Kill plan — a blueprint that Council unanimously adopted just months later. This plan became the North Star guiding every step forward. Austin Pets Alive!’s safety net programs, combined with a close partnership with the municipal shelter and a compassionate community, built the roadmap that made transformational lifesaving possible. By 2011, Austin reached a...
Emergency Help Needed: Responding to Devastating Flooding in South Central Texas
Jul 15, 2026 As catastrophic flooding overwhelms communities south of Austin, including Uvalde, Castroville, Sabinal, and Hondo, APA! has mobilized to help. When shelters are overwhelmed and forced to clear space, we step in to prevent the needless euthanasia of displaced animals, acting as the critical safety net for those who have lost everything. We also serve as first responders for shelter pets. We will keep you updated as this crisis unfolds. Thank you for stepping up to help pets in need and the people who love them! We need your help...
Keep Pets Safe During Fireworks
Jul 01, 2026 Many pets go missing on July 4th — fireworks can be scary for dogs and cats! Here are some easy steps you can take before and during the festivities to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable as you celebrate the Fourth of July. Because fireworks are so scary, your chances of finding a lost pet will be higher during the holiday. If you find or lose a pet this holiday, there are a few things you can do BEFORE going to the shelter. How to Prepare for Fireworks: Ensure your pet has a microchip and collar with an ID...
Humane Prevention and Management of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Shelter and Rescue Dogs and Cats
Jun 30, 2026 A few weeks ago, Austin Pets Alive! leadership hosted a meeting, inviting national animal welfare leaders and veterinary leaders within higher education to discuss the harmful domino effect that New World Screwworm will have on shelter pets in Texas and beyond. This meeting resulted in action! One outcome of this meeting was a University-backed letter advocating at state levels for the responsible and safe transport of shelter pets across state borders. The below is the letter that is helping to fight for the safety of shelter...
Join the 4th of July Pawjama Party!
Jun 26, 2026 While we all love a good Independence Day celebration, the booming noises of fireworks are incredibly scary for our shelter pets. For the next week, we’ll work hard to get our dogs and cats out of the shelter and into homes before the big night. Whether you want to host a temporary holiday slumber party or give a pet their ultimate “Independence Day” through adoption, you’re invited! Here is how you can RSVP to the pawty: Pick Your Sleepover Length (Foster) Not ready to adopt, but want to be a hero? Pick...
IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM DR. ELLEN JEFFERSON: Protecting Texas Pets from the New World Screwworm
Jun 14, 2026 As cases of New World Screwworm infestation grow, we want to keep our supporters informed as fast we can. We are very concerned about the lives of pets in Texas. What we see during disasters like this is that pets in shelters are often forgotten about or seen as “unfortunate casualties.” Our job has always been to ensure that doesn’t happen. Consequently, right now, Austin Pets Alive! is enacting emergency measures to deal with the growing disaster of the New World Screwworm infestation in parts of Texas and New...
