Dec 24, 2023
Zero is the type of younger, good-looking, playful canine who’s shortly adopted in most shelters. He has a smile that’ll make YOU smile, too.
However all all through Texas, canine thought of “extremely adoptable” elsewhere within the nation, find yourself on under-resourced shelters’ euthanasia lists — on a regular basis, and all of the extra so in a tremendously difficult yr like this one. And that’s what occurred to Zero.
Our crew first met Zero throughout a website go to at his shelter in late August — we have been there to vaccinate pets and discover different methods to assist within the shelter’s lifesaving. This massive canine was heartworm optimistic, however energetic and magnetically joyful. After we returned to the shelter in November, Zero was nonetheless there — however wouldn’t be for lengthy. The shelter wanted kennel area, and Zero was on the euthanasia record. He’d been given only one hour left to reside.
With no time to waste, our crew sprung to motion, reaching out to our rescue companions to see if anybody had the capability to take him in — and a trusted accomplice in Chicago shortly mentioned sure. However they couldn’t take Zero straight away. So Zero got here to Austin, and relaxed in an Austin Pets Alive! foster dwelling for 2 weeks earlier than we drove him north to security, in a van with 22 different pets.
We at all times want extra fosters to briefly absorb pets like Zero who’re awaiting their lifesaving freedom rides. Some transport pets want a foster for 2 weeks — others for as little as 24 hours. Get in contact at [email protected] to be taught extra!
Earlier than getting on the van, our Transport Crew Supervisor Zoe Beriss instructed Zero the place he was going, and what was occurring. “I at all times give them reassuring phrases after they load up,” Zoe says. “I do know they may not be capable to perceive me, however I attempt to allow them to know that they are secure they usually’re on their option to their new houses.“
Zero is certainly one of over 2,500 pets whose lives have been saved due to our Transport Program in 2023 — up 100 pets over 2022. He’s certainly one of 6,000 pets we’ve saved since founding our program in 2021. We’ve been capable of save these valuable lives due to our APA! household’s assist — we’ve been capable of save them, due to you.
Listed here are a few of our different 2023 accomplishments we’re so proud to share with you, our accomplice in lifesaving:
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This yr, we rejoice a milestone that could be very near my coronary heart — the fifteenth anniversary of Austin Pets Alive!’s Parvo Pet ICU, the primary initiative of its type within the nation. The story of the Parvo Pet ICU started with a easy, but radical thought: to show a tub right into a lifesaving station for puppies with parvovirus. It developed right into a revolutionary program, saving over 1,000 puppies yearly. This initiative isn’t solely remodeling the destiny of numerous puppies in Central Texas however has additionally impressed shelters nationwide to undertake our lifesaving protocols. Reflecting on these 15 years, I am full of gratitude for the assist and perception in our mission. Your continued assist empowers us to redefine what’s potential in animal rescue and save extra lives every day.
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In 2023, Austin Pets Alive! proudly guided almost 12,000 animals by means of our shelter, contributing to a grand whole of 120,000 lives saved since our starting. Our influence extends past our shelter partitions, as we have supplied essential assist to under-resourced shelters, shared lifesaving information by means of our No Kill training initiative, and strengthened the bond between folks and pets with our Human Animal Help Companies venture. Every effort is a testomony to our dedication to saving essentially the most at-risk animals and protecting households collectively.
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We launched a brand new program to coach the subsequent era of animal welfare leaders. Austin Pets Alive! is without doubt one of the very first animal shelters anyplace to have social employees on employees. Our groundbreaking social work program is making the work of animal welfare extra sustainable — this yr, increasing the concentrate on employees wellness with elevated trainings on compassion fatigue, disaster response, grief and loss, de-escalation, and different essential matters. In 2023, we additionally launched our model new Pet Friends program, a paid internship by means of which at-risk teenagers be taught the ins and outs of shelter administration, and achieve the required abilities and expertise to work in animal sheltering. We’re so proud that three courses of Pet Friends interns have now participated on this vital program, in its very first yr!
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Right here’s a record-breaking accomplishment: This yr, we discovered loving houses for 36 unbelievable incontinent cats, shattering misconceptions about their care. Our crew has labored tirelessly to dispel the parable that incontinent cats aren’t adoptable. We have proven that each cat is exclusive, and with the correct routine and assist, they will thrive in a loving dwelling. Our dedication to caring for essentially the most at-risk populations, like incontinent cats, is unwavering. We’re excited to proceed this journey, saving much more cats and canine with the assistance of our wonderful supporters. Here is to many extra profitable adoptions of fantastic and deserving animals! (gif of cat that walks on two legs with caption: Child Cheeks is an excellent particular incontinent kitty! An damage paralyzed her hind limbs, and she or he developed wounds from dragging them round. Life’s been simpler for this lovebug after getting her again legs eliminated, and she or he carries herself to cuddles on her entrance limbs!
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We set the stage to deepen and increase our footprint in Austin! APA!’s mission is to avoid wasting pets in every single place — however our house is and at all times shall be in Austin, and in 2023 we set down even deeper roots. Six years within the making, now we have a model new settlement with the Metropolis of Austin that permits us to maintain working out of our City Lake Animal Heart for a minimum of the subsequent 25 years. This settlement grants us two extra 25-year extensions, so now we have the potential to function out of TLAC in some kind for as much as 75 years. The settlement permits us to rebuild on the TLAC property, a large venture we’ll undertake over the subsequent 3-5 years. We’re additionally shifting ahead with plans to maneuver massive chunks of our operations, just like the medical middle and behavioral middle, off the property. These developments imply we are able to do much more lifesaving work collectively — and we’re past thrilled to be on our option to APA! 2.0. Keep tuned for extra thrilling particulars in 2024!
Zero was adopted just some weeks after arriving in Chicago. In his adoption picture, the one smile greater than Zero’s is his new dad’s.
These massive smiles are due to you. On the holidays, and at all times, we’re so grateful to each single APA! supporter who makes tales like Zero’s potential.
Thanks from me and everybody at APA! for believing that each pet deserves the exact same likelihood at a fortunately ever after — and for standing by our facet whereas we work to realize precisely that.
Ellen Jefferson, DVM
President and CEO, Austin Pets Alive!
P.S. Your reward is DOUBLED in the event you donate right this moment, as much as $65,000. Don’t wait to make your year-end reward and have it matched for pets like Zero and Child Cheeks!
