17 September . 2018
Partner Profile: More than 50,000 pets and counting saved by Austin Pets Alive!
Every spring, Sweetwater partners with Austin Pets Alive! to introduce residents and visitors enjoying the annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival to many lovable pets available for adoption. Some of these wonderful animals have found their forever homes right here at Sweetwater, and the Wildflower Festival also raises money to help APA! with its ongoing programs.
A key part of Austin’s vision to become the largest no-kill city in the United States, APA! fills critical gaps by identifying the key groups of animals that are typically euthanized in shelters and maintaining comprehensive, innovative programs to address the problems they face.
Dog groups most at risk include puppies with parvovirus, large dogs with behavior concerns, and those needing additional medical support. Cats most likely to be euthanized include unweaned kittens, undersocialized cats, and those with ringworm or feline leukemia.
Using best practices from around the country, APA! developed programs to care specifically for these groups, thereby reducing their staggering over-representation on euthanasia lists, and directly increasing the city’s save rate.
Their innovative programs include a Parvo Puppy ICU, and a Neonatal Kitten Nursery to feed and treat orphaned, unweaned kittens.
APA!’s Dog Behavior Program supports dogs that require additional behavioral attention, and the Barn Cat Program finds alternative homes for undersocialized or feral cats. The Medical Triage Clinic provides routine and emergency care on an open admissions basis, and they have treatment and adoption programs for cats with ringworm and feline leukemia.
In developing its programs, APA! also noticed the need for pet-owner support in trying times. Many pets are surrendered to shelters because of unfortunate, often temporary, issues, and the PASS Program (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) addresses the need for pet-owner support. By providing assistance to families considering surrendering their pets, this program reduces the number of animals that enter the shelter system.
To donate or adopt a dog or cat from APA!, please visit their website.