A Great Pyrenees dubbed “Banks” was rescued Wednesday after getting stuck in mud along a river in Iowa, prompting a boat response from the Marshalltown Fire Department because the heavily wooded area prevented police from reaching the dog on foot.”They tried to reach him by foot, and they couldn’t, so they asked us to take our boat out,” said Deputy Fire Chief Curt Raue.Firefighters freed the dog quickly. “This one was as textbook as it could be,” said Raue.Banks was turned over to the Marshalltown Animal Rescue League, where veterinarians cleared him. “Vets gave us a clear bill of health,” said Austin Gillis, the executive director of the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown.Gillis says the positive outcome was helped by the dog’s thick coat and the fact that he was in mud, not water. “If the animal is dry, we’ve got time to make this as safe as possible,” Gillis said.Less than a day after his rescue, Banks was energetic, though still caked with mud, and expected to be cleaned up after grooming. No information has been released about possible owners or how he ended up there. For the time being, “Banks” will be cared for by the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown.It is likely he will not be there very long.Deputy Chief Raue says a firefighter who played a role in the rescue has filed paperwork to adopt him, saying Banks “made an impression on a lot of the people who rescued him.”
A Great Pyrenees dubbed “Banks” was rescued Wednesday after getting stuck in mud along a river in Iowa, prompting a boat response from the Marshalltown Fire Department because the heavily wooded area prevented police from reaching the dog on foot.
“They tried to reach him by foot, and they couldn’t, so they asked us to take our boat out,” said Deputy Fire Chief Curt Raue.
Firefighters freed the dog quickly.
“This one was as textbook as it could be,” said Raue.
Banks was turned over to the Marshalltown Animal Rescue League, where veterinarians cleared him.
“Vets gave us a clear bill of health,” said Austin Gillis, the executive director of the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown.
Gillis says the positive outcome was helped by the dog’s thick coat and the fact that he was in mud, not water.
“If the animal is dry, we’ve got time to make this as safe as possible,” Gillis said.
Less than a day after his rescue, Banks was energetic, though still caked with mud, and expected to be cleaned up after grooming.
No information has been released about possible owners or how he ended up there.
For the time being, “Banks” will be cared for by the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown.
It is likely he will not be there very long.
Deputy Chief Raue says a firefighter who played a role in the rescue has filed paperwork to adopt him, saying Banks “made an impression on a lot of the people who rescued him.”
But this time, the focus is on the pup’s health, rather than how diligently she follows mom’s orders.
“Meet Crepe – our brave little warrior,” the Greenville Humane Society said in an Oct. 21 Facebook post.
“Remember Tupelo, our infamous escape-artist mama who proudly unleashed all 13 of her puppies into our Medical Center? Each one of those little fluffballs has grown into their own unique personality – but one puppy in particular has had a tougher journey than the rest.”
And that would be Crepe, one of the mischievous little babies who once tried to crawl her way out of the shelter during the famous “midnight romp” as it was called by the shelter.
Crepe is facing a medical issue that can possibly have an effect on her as she ages. The shelter refers to her as a “bright, affectionate girl with a heart that’s both brave and fragile.”
“When Crepe was just a few weeks old, our medical team discovered she had been born with a condition called pulmonic stenosis – a congenital heart disease where the valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs doesn’t open all the way,” the shelter said.
“That means Crepe’s heart has to work overtime to pump blood, and as a result, her heart muscle thickens to keep up. In severe cases, this condition can lead to complications later in life,” the shelter said.
Due to Crepe’s young age, the shelter doesn’t know if or when her delicate condition will change.
“She’ll need to visit a cardiologist in 6–12 months for another echocardiogram to reassess her heart. The best-case scenario? Her condition stays stable, and she lives a normal, happy life without any medical intervention,” the shelter said. “If her heart worsens, she may need medication or even a specialized surgery.”
The shelter is calling out for potential adopters who will love and cherish Crepe no matter what and said that her personality and love will not be overshadowed by her condition.
“Despite her diagnosis, you’d never know there’s anything different about her,” the shelter said. “Crepe is a joyful, silly, snuggly pup who adores attention, plays like any other puppy, and wins over every person she meets. She’s proof that even the smallest hearts can hold the most love.”
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
A county Animal Services vehicle. (Photo courtesy of County News Center)
A 10-month-old puppy was brought into the county’s Bonita animal shelter earlier this week with a “severe neck injury” caused by a tight collar and county officials Friday asked for the public’s help identifying the dog’s owner.
The male shepherd, which was brought into the shelter on Monday as a stray, was wearing a chain collar around its neck that had not been loosened as the dog grew older and had become embedded in his skin, according to the county.
Veterinary staff had to surgically remove the chain before treating the dog’s injuries and said he will have to undergo additional surgery to help the wound fully heal.
But Animal Services Director Vaughn Maurice says the puppy is recovering and doing well.
“Once he’s fully healed, he’ll be neutered, vaccinated, and ready to find a loving home,” Maurice said. “Despite everything he’s endured, the puppy remains cheerful and full of life — wagging his tail at anyone who stops by to say hello.”
Anyone who recognizes the dog and might have information regarding his owner was asked to contact San Diego County Animal Services at 619-236- 2341. Callers may remain anonymous.
While their pet parents celebrate Independence Day – dogs suffer during the fireworks…but CBD can help.
The 4th of July brings out food, BBQs, parades and fireworks. It is a great day with lots of fun, except for man’s best friend. While we watch in wonder at the brilliant displays (and try to get one decent picture), dogs are suffering and can be a bit freaked out. They have exceptional hearing and fireworks booming sounds are full and unexpected, this can disorient a dog and make them very anxious. If left untreated, thunder and fireworks can continue to upset the animal. It is possible using CBD to keep your dog calm during fireworks can make it a better day for your furry friend.
Fireworks were at the first organized celebration of Independence Day in July 4th 1777. Starting the tradition in the US, fireworks are used around the globe to for independence days, New Year’s Eve, and other major events. But animal control facilities experience a 30% increase in missing pets between July 4 and 6, with July 5 being one of the busiest days for shelters. The poor things are frightened by the loud, unpredictable booms. But how do you enjoy them without traumatizing your puppy? Consider using CBD.
Photo by R+R Medicinals via Unsplash
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. Most CBD products are derived from hemp andrather than marijuana. CBD doesn’t have THC and can provide relief without the high. A CBD for pets is recommend based on the dosage being for a pet size rather than a person size. A method of medicating your pet with cannabis is by using a CBD oil and rubbing into their ears. CBD-infused treats do not get pets high, but can relief stress, but they need to consume it at least 40 minutes before the start of the fireworks/noise.
The American Kennel Club shares CBD can be used because of it’s of its anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact. If you are going to use CBD for your pet, here are some suggestions
Look for organic. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
Don’t only shop based on price. Higher quality and purity are usually associated with a higher cost. A cheaper option could contain toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.
Get the analysis. The manufacturer should provide a certificate that certifies the amount of CBD that is in the product. Many CBD products contain only small amounts of CBD. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
Buy CBD as a liquid. You can buy dog treats containing CBD, but the best form to administer is an oil or tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop.
Like alcohol, marijuana should not be given to pets. It can cause cause toxicity in cats and dogs. While some people find it funny to get animals high, it can be extremely dangerous for them and is not funny at all.
Everyone loves dogs, no matter their size. Small puppies, in particular, can instantly warm our hearts. This story features a puppy so small that it became an instant hit on social media.
In Shady Dale, Georgia, a man carried something very special in his T-shirt pocket. This delightful moment was captured in an Instagram video shared by @dillon_jim. A woman filming asked, “What’s in your pocket?” Her curiosity led to a wonderful surprise.
As she came closer, the man opened his pocket to reveal a tiny black puppy head peeking out. With a proud smile, he said, “It’s a little Frenchie.” The puppy was a very small French Bulldog, just its ears showing at first. The woman filming laughed with joy as the owner noted the puppy was “smaller than a mouse.”
The video highlighted not just the puppy’s cuteness but its small size, which is typical for some breeds when they are very young. According to DuePet, neonatal stage is the stage stays right from birth to 2 weeks. During this period, the Frenchies remain toothless, deaf, and blind. But, they have their taste and touch sense organs developed. In this stage, pups sleep and take feed from their mother but that is no wonder considering that she is only 4 days old.
The clip of the tiny puppy in a pocket didn’t just catch the eye of the locals in Georgia; it charmed people worldwide, drawing millions of views and many loving comments. One viewer said, “So precious and so tiny, absolutely adorable ❤️❤️❤️❤️,”while another mentioned, “Reminds me of the Ep of Adventure time with Fin had Jake in his shirt pocket .”
Some viewers were concerned about the puppy’s comfort and asked why it wasn’t with its mother. The owner quickly explained that the mother was with the rest of the litter, and this small puppy was just briefly separated to help it feed without competing with its siblings.
With these worries addressed, viewers were left to enjoy the adorable video, joining many others who fell in love with the little Frenchie’s appearance.
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Now empty dog bed. Had to put down my 14 y.o dog I raised from puppy ’cause of tumor. Decided that it’s better to let go instead of trying surgery that most likely would’ve been fatal anyway ’cause of old age. Now my other dog is searching for his cousin frantically without avail.
An Indiana shelter is caring for a puppy that was found malnourished, abandoned in a porta potty.
Screengrab from Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control’s Facebook post
An Indiana shelter is caring for a puppy who was found malnourished and abandoned in a porta-potty.
The puppy was given the name “Louie,” which means “famous warrior,” according to a Saturday, May 4, Facebook post by Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.
Louie is 8 weeks old and was found by a Fort Wayne city employee abandoned in a porta-potty, shelter officials said.
“This sweet boy was malnourished with his rib cage and spine showing, had urine-stained paws and overgrown nails, and was quite scared,” shelter officials said.
Louie was placed on a slow feeding plan and given the “gentle love and care he deserves,” according to officials.
He was sent to a foster home where he can gain weight, receive care and be around loving humans and other dogs.
“This precious boy has been a little wiggly angel despite being failed by the person that was supposed to care for him. Once his excitement for you calms down, he loves curling up in your warm lap. What a testament to how forgiving animals can be,” officials said.
Louie is not yet up for adoption, but the shelter says it will post updates.
Jennifer Rodriguez is a McClatchy National Real-Time reporter covering the Central and Midwest regions. She joined McClatchy in 2023 after covering local news in Youngstown, Ohio, for over six years. Jennifer has made several achievements in her journalism career, including receiving the Robert R. Hare Award in English, the Emerging Leader Justice and Equality Award, the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award.
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cleveland firefighters battled a large house fire Friday around 7 a.m. that left two people uninjured but without their home, according to Lt. Mike Norman.
Norman said a puppy died in the fire on Nottingham Road, “at a two and a half story up and down double house.”
The fire started on the first floor and that the cause of the fire was electrical., according to Norman.
Norman said the Red Cross is assisting the two adults.
He said the house was heavily damaged and that the damage estimate is over $100,000.
Traveling for twelve years with our dogs taught me a lot. Among the lessons I learned was how to get a dog to pose for photos. Ty and Buster were legendary for their skills. But when our puppy, Myles, came along I really had to get creative!
Snapping and sharing pictures of Ty and Buster in the gorgeous places we visited was part of the fun of traveling with them. Well, calling it “fun” might be a bit of a stretch. When we first started out “chaos” would have been a more appropriate description of our photo shoots. But we figured out a few tricks to get a dog to pose for photos! And soon we were getting these types of comments:
“I’m so impressed that your boys will pose!”
“If I’d let go of the leash, my dog would be in the next county.”
“Look how well-behaved they are! And how photogenic!”
“Do you know how many pics I’d have to take of my pack to get one that looked this good?”
After Ty and Buster passed and Myles came along, teaching him to pose for photos was a priority. Testing my theories on our new pup as convinced me I’m on the right path. Myles already loves the camera, and you can be the judge how his photos are turning out!
You Can Teach Your Dog To Pose For Photos
Teaching your dog to sit nicely for a photo isn’t rocket science. If we can do it, anyone can! All you need is a camera, a handful of treats, and a boatload of patience.
To get your dog posing for photos, the first thing you’ll need to teach him is the “sit” command. A trainer we worked with years ago and who truly grasped my capabilities concluded it would be best to keep things simple … so around here, sit means sit.
When I say “sit,” it means, drop your bum to the ground and keep it there until you’ve received another command or been released. We don’t use “wait” or “stay” commands because they would be redundant.
Working on your dog’s “sit” is something you can do 100 times a day without breaking a sweat. Just keep some treats in your pocket and every time your dog is around ask him to sit. When he does, release him and give him a treat.
“Where is the treat you mentioned?” -Myles
We use the word “free” to communicate that our request for a behavior has ended, but any word will work. Over time you can lengthen the duration of the sit, add distractions, practice in new environments, and combine it with other commands, like “come,” which will also be handy when you start taking photos.
A (Not So) Brief Aside On Why We’re Constantly Using Treats
This may come as a shock, but dogs are dogs. They like doing dog things … sniffing trees, chasing squirrels, eating things they shouldn’t, taking naps in the sunshine, and romping around. They are not aspiring models and couldn’t care less about your photographic ambitions.
When humans choose to set aside their heart’s desire and do something else we call it “work.” And we generally get paid for it. So it seems fair that when we ask our dogs to give up their preferred activities and do what we want instead, we should pay them for their time. That could mean treats if your dog is food-motivated, or his favorite toy if he prefers to play. Whatever it takes to let your dog know how much you appreciate his choice to accommodate your whims.
Step 2 – Training “Watch Me”
It’s common knowledge that dogs do not like to be stared at. And when they are, few dogs will stare back. Usually they will avert their gaze, which becomes a problem when you realize that a camera lens looks a lot like a huge eye, and we want our dogs to look at it.
The effort it will take to get your dog comfortable with the lens depends on the camera you’re using and your dog’s personality. If you’re taking photos with your cell phone, you’ll likely have an easier time getting your pup to warm up. The lens on a cell phone camera is small, and our dogs see our phones all the time, so it’s not a new object that warrants caution. If you’re using a larger camera, things might take longer.
No matter your method of collecting photos, you’ll want to start teaching your dog a command that means “look at the camera.” For us, that command is “watch me.” Get out your treats, start slowly, and reward him as he improves.
In the beginning you might only get a small head turn toward you. That’s good — build on it! It can take some time for your dog to build his confidence enough to overcome the natural inclination to look away from the camera.
We practice “watch me” every time we feed Myles. After setting his bowl down, we ask him to maintain eye contact until he’s released. He learned that one really quickly!
Step 3 – Develop Your Patience
The line between fun and frustration is razor thin when you’re trying to get the perfect photo of your dog. Your pup might be having an off day, there could be people be blocking your shot, or your camera settings might be all wrong. So many things can go awry!
When you feel the angst building, take a deep breath and remember that you’re out having fun. Dogs can sense when we’re feeling irritated and that can make them anxious. And just seeing your furry buddy doing his best to accommodate your nutty plan should melt your heart.
As with anything you teach your dog, the more practice he gets, the better the results. Start out shooting photos in places with few distractions and slowly work your way into more challenging settings. That means if you want your dog to pose on your next vacation, you need to start taking his photo in your kitchen now!
Because we were always sharing our pics, Myles was posing for photos several times a week. Here are the steps we follow:
We ask Myles to sit while we line up the shot.
Then, depending on the photo, we sometimes giving him the “watch me” command while we snap several pictures.
When we think we’ve got the shot, we release him with a “come,” and pay him with some treats. The number of treats he gets depends on how challenging the situation was. (Dogs walking by or lots of people around means more treats for Myles.)
As he learned our routine, we were able to get great pictures on all of our adventures.
Step 5 – Embrace Imperfection
Sometimes the best shots are the ones I least expect to turn out. After all their years as models, even Ty and Buster didn’t cooperate 100% every time. And I came to realize that what we were capturing in those moments was just a precious.
One of my favorite examples happened on a visit to Lake Louise. We’d hiked up to Lake Agnes, and I was taking some photos of the dogs while Rod was getting us a sandwich. During the shot, Ty looked down and discovered a dead chipmunk under the rock he was sitting on. The look on his face and the memory of trying to wrangle two dogs into dropping a dead rodent still cracks me up!
When you’re having fun with your pets, the camera captures the feelings in a way I can’t explain. So embrace the imperfection, and be grateful for the fact that you’re out experiencing the world together. Because – no matter how the images turn out – you’ll always have the memories.
Step 6 – Know When To Walk Away
No picture is worth asking more of your dog than he’s able to give. When Myles was a puppy, he was easily distracted and not completely reliable with his “sit” and “come.” Ty and Buster also had their own behavior challenges.
The point is, every dog has his limits – just like humans. And, as his person, it’s your job to understand and respect your dog’s boundaries.
And that’s all there is to it! With a little practice, you can have your dog posing for photos in no time. To make these tips to get your dog to pose for photos easy to remember, our friends at PetHub created a handy info graphic:
Authorities are searching for the person who tied a puppy to a dumpster outside of a Texas animal shelter, resulting in his death, according to local police.
While pleading for information on Facebook Wednesday, the Humble Police Department (HPD) apologized for the quality of the photo shared of the suspect as well as the graphic nature of the post but said the person responsible for the puppy’s death “needs to be charged.”
“She appears to be a black female wearing grey sweatpants, a pink sweatshirt, a white hat and white slides for shoes,” HPD said on Facebook, sharing a grainy image of the suspect.
Newsweek reached out via email and Facebook on Sunday to the HPD for comment and an update on the case.
Police tape is pictured at a crime scene. The inset shows the suspect wanted in a Texas animal cruelty case where police said she left a puppy tied to a dumpster outside an animal shelter where the dog strangled himself to death. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP/Getty, Humble Police Department
Police said that the video shows the tan and white male puppy, believed to be a 6 to 8-month-old Pitbull mix, walking with the woman from First Street to the Humble Animal Shelter at 240 Dennis Street in Humble, Texas, a city of roughly 16,000 located in the Houston metropolitan area. Video captured the woman outside the shelter where HPD said that she proceeded to “tie the dog who was struggling” to the dumpster with a piece of orange cord around his neck.
“The dog was struggling and thrashing while she did this,” HPD said in the online statement.
Police said that once the puppy was tied, the video showed him “struggling,” adding that the “suspect never looked back.” The puppy’s thrashing as the woman walked away caused the cord to tighten around his neck, ultimately leading to the dog’s death.
The dog was “unconscious and dead” roughly two minutes after being tied to the dumpster, HPD said, noting that the suspect was seen in the footage even after the puppy stopped “twitching.”
The woman in the picture is wanted for questioning in connection to the dog’s death. Police said she could face felony animal cruelty charges and urged anyone with information regarding the case to come forward.
“Please, please, please contact the City of Humble Police Department if you have any information on this suspect,” HPD said in the statement.
The department’s number is 281-446-7127.
While sharing the HPD’s post, the Humble Animal Shelter posted about the incident on Facebook saying, “She needs to be found ASAP.” Shelter officials also called on the public to come forward with information, saying to contact the HPD “with any information you have.”
Newsweek reached out via email and Facebook on Sunday to the Humble Animal Shelter for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
APA!’s National Shelter Support team was working at a partner shelter location when they first laid eyes on sweet Darla. With legs too scared to walk, the 8-month old Golden Retriever was being taken to the euthanasia room in a wheelbarrow when a member of our team intervened.
Jordana Moerbe urgently shared Darla’s story with rescue partners throughout the country in hopes of getting a shelter to accept her into their care; a “yes” from a shelter would mean a ticket onto the upcoming lifesaving transport flight.
“We had to pull her, we had to save her,” Moerbe said. “We hope that she’s able to come out of her shell and be the happy puppy she deserves to be. It’s what every one of the pets in the shelter deserves, and that’s what we’re working so hard for.”
Mile High Lab Rescue in Denver accepted her into their care and when this deserving dog landed in July of 2023, she went straight into a loving foster home, where she was given the time and space to gain confidence to become a wiggly puppy.
No Kill is all about innovation, and working together to save lives. That’s why we were so excited to have two Mars Ambassadors join us at Austin Pets Alive! for two weeks, to help us save puppies with canine parvovirus and distemper—diseases that are often fatal, and for which puppies are routinely euthanized at many animal shelters and clinics because of the false belief they cannot be treated and adopted.
APA! operates one of the country’s only Parvo Puppy ICUs, where around 1,000 puppies per year are treated, and we run a specialized distemper treatment program. Many more puppies could be saved, still, with more animal shelters adopting and using the lifesaving protocols we’ve developed, and greater public awareness of how to prevent and treat parvo and distemper.
Mars Ambassadors Devon Arcuri, BluePearl’s Creative Specialist, and Violet Matarico, Banfield Pet Hospital’s Practice Manager for the Woodbridge and Edison hospitals in New Jersey, came to do just that.
The Mars Ambassador program dispatches Mars employees to other organizations and communities, where they lend their expertise and build partnerships. Devon and Violet embedded with the APA! marketing and communications team, to develop critical materials and messaging.
Working alongside APA!’s staff, Devon and Violet produced web pages and resources, including FAQs, website banners and pages, social media recommendations, printed handouts and posters, and more.
It’s two weeks’ of work that will have a meaningful impact on animals’ lives. More puppies will get and stay well, and get to live as loved members of families, thanks to Devon and Violet’s time with APA! as Mars Ambassadors.
We asked Devon and Violet what their time at APA! meant to them.
“Mars focuses on sustainability; the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today,” Devon said. “With this project, Violet and I wanted to ensure that our work could keep growing after we left.”
“With development being one of my passions, the opportunity to provide insight and support for APA!’s Puppy Parvo ICU on a grand scale has been an experience of a lifetime,” said Violet. “These puppies and young dogs deserve a fighting chance, and APA! has paved the way.”
Thank you to Devon and Violet for sharing your knowledge and your passion to save the lives of vulnerable puppies!
In a nod to America’s great affection for furry friends, the United States Postal Service unveiled two new ‘Love Forever’ stamps. The stamp dedication took place at the Austin Pets Alive! Texas animal shelter, with adoptable pets available for the event, allowing participants and attendees to see the animals receive and benefit from the love of the community.
The stamps display illustrations of a puppy and a kitten with their paws lightly resting on a red heart, perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. USPS said each forever stamp is intended to evoke feelings of warmth and playfulness. They can add sentiment and whimsy to letters, birthday or graduation cards, baby shower invitations or thank you notes.
“The kitten and puppy rest their front paws on a large red
heart, which perfectly captures the love we have for these special
creatures, and their love for us in return,” said Judy de Torok, vice
president of Corporate Relations for the Postal Service. , who served
as the ceremony’s opening official and is a pet lover. “I have a
feeling these may be some of our most popular labels.”
Also participating in the event were Dr. Ellen Jefferson, president and CEO of Austin Pets Alive!; Kelly Holt, Senior Manager of Austin Pets Alive! cat program; Richard Scott, volunteer dog behavior specialist with the rescue and Matt Beisner, star of “Dog: Impossible” on Disney+.
APA! officials hope the stamps will encourage people to support their local animal shelters.
“Our
hope is that anyone who’s watching this or a part of this will share what’s happening in Austin and share the success of animals
being saved in city shelters across the country.” Ellen Jefferson said.
Customers can purchase the stamps through the online postal store or at their local post office
As I write this letter, we are preparing for the dangerous Arctic cold
front that is about to blast freezing temperatures into our community
and throughout Central Texas, just in time for the holidays.
Our shelter becomes severely strained with temperatures this low. To
keep our animals warm and safe during this cold emergency, we asked our
community to take in a foster pet during the storm, give funds to
support the increased cost of shelter operations, and help
under-resourced shelters across the region. And you’ve come
through, opening your hearts and homes to the pets who are most in need,
at the time they need that help the most.
Even though our own shelter struggles tremendously during a
disaster like this, we cannot turn our backs on animals in our community
or in shelters that are severely under-resourced. We are compelled to
help out and our community is too. Your support allows us to distribute warm blankets and heaters to pets in need all across Texas.
Our community stepping up to protect pets during a bitterly frigid storm is just one inspiring example of many, of how working together in 2022 we have been able to do so much for homeless pets in Austin, and beyond.
We saved our 100,000th life in February. Copper, a
2-month-old puppy, survived a disease that is a death sentence in nearly
every other animal shelter, thanks to our innovative Parvo Puppy ICU.
Copper is one of the whopping 1,035 puppies who are alive today, solely
because they came through our Parvo Puppy ICU this year.
We celebrated our 11th anniversary of Austin becoming a No Kill city.
Fourteen years ago, animal lovers in Austin banded together to end the
needless killing of shelter pets in our community. We achieved this goal
in three years, and have never stopped fighting for it since. We’ve now
set our eyes on expanding our lifesaving further beyond our
geographical borders, to the areas with the greatest need.
We grew our transport program.
This year we saved more than 2,400 at-risk pets by connecting
underfunded and overwhelmed Texas shelters to organizations in areas of
the country where they would be adopted. In one remarkable transport
mission, in July we flew 89 cats and kittens and 12 dogs from Texas,
where the animals faced likely euthanasia, to our partner in Maine,
where they were received with open arms and hope.
We continued our partnership with Austin FC, our hometown professional soccer club,with 22 of our animals serving as Honorary Mascots during home games.
These include pups who are true survivors, and really deserve to be
celebrated—like Gavin, who came to APA! with severe injuries after being
hit by a car, and needed his jaw reattached; RayRay, who’d been
abandoned in a home when his owner moved out and left him behind; and
Wolff Pack and Alright, Alright, Alright, two more of our parvo
survivors and Parvo Puppy ICU graduates. These furry mascots spread
critical awareness about our lifesaving programs and mission—and the
game-day attention helps them get adopted!
APA! brought nearly 12,000 animals through our shelter this year. We
saved countless more with our hands-on support of under-resourced
shelters, through our No Kill education in which we teach other shelters
and communities how to save the most at-risk animals, and our Human
Animal Support Services project’s focus on pet support and keeping
people and pets together.
These are just a few of our 2022 milestones. We can’t wait to share more with you in our annual impact report. Stay tuned!
Now, as we turn toward the end of the year, let me say thank you for being such an important part of our lifesaving community. It is your support that lets us save these lives.
And now your gift can do even more. A group of generous anonymous donors is matching all donations until December 31st.
Fourteen years ago, we set out to save the pets who were losing their lives in Austin, for no reason other than because they didn’t have a home. Today, as our pets are welcomed into loving foster homes, while a wicked storm approaches, we are so proud of our community. We are proud to be based here, in this city of animal lovers, where every day of every year, we work to save even more of the animals who would not survive without what we do together. We are excited to expand our lifesaving work to wherever at-risk pets need us the most, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it.
On behalf of all of us at APA!, thank you for all you do. Happy holidays, and have a very happy new year.
Austin was a very different city for vulnerable companion animals just 14 years ago. Some of the animals most at risk were puppies with parvovirus. Each day these tiny lives were needlessly lost because shelters didn’t have programs set up to treat parvo.
Veterinarians learn how to treat parvo in school, so we wondered why animal shelters couldn’t or wouldn’t. If these puppies could often be saved, why wasn’t treatment the norm? To
save these pets and increase lifesaving in Austin, we had to start
somewhere — and keeping parvo puppies from being euthanized seemed like a
good place to start.
The Parvo Puppy ICU, as we know it today, was born in a bathroom in my house around Thanksgiving 2008. At its peak I could spend up to eight hours a day cleaning and treating anywhere from a couple to 25 sick puppies at a time. Thankfully,
my husband was very understanding and willing to put up with the smell
of sick puppies in our bathroom. Even though it wasn’t ideal having the
strong and unforgettable odor of parvo in our home, it was the only way
to protect these pets in need and give them the critical care they
deserved.
We often share the story of the ICU’s humble beginnings because it
reminds us how far we’ve come. Although I was often the only one
cleaning up after that first batch of puppies, APA!’s capacity to care for animals in need continues to grow thanks to the help of friends like you.
Because of our community’s determination to make Austin No Kill, we were able, eleven years ago, to trade the bathroom tile and pop-up crates for linoleum and metal kennels in a location with easy access to our clinic and round-the-clock staff. The need for support didn’t end when we moved to the Parvo Puppy ICU at TLAC.
Today, parvo puppies are still at risk of needless euthanasia in shelters across Texas that haven’t yet adopted No Kill. As we celebrate the 11th anniversary of No Kill in Austin and its continued impact on pets at high risk of euthanasia we know there is still so much work to do to save even more lives and help other shelters do the same. Will you join us today?
SAN FRANCISCO, September 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Prestagon Pets has announced that they will be running an Indiegogo campaign for their new Modular, Magnetic Pet Steps.
Whether a senior dog, a breed with known joint issues, or simply a dog that needs a leg up, consider dog stairs or pet steps to make their lives easier. Whether climbing in and out of the car, onto and off the bed or sofa, or into the bath, all dogs could really benefit from reduced impact on their joints.
Prestagon’s Modular, Magnetic Pet Steps elevate the position of pets and the home aesthetic of owners with a modern, synthetic wood grain finish. With three height configurations, Pet Steps are fully customizable to the needs and abilities of pets of all ages. With magnetic alignment & attachment, setup is a breeze with no tools required. Disassembly is just as convenient, Pet Steps nest seamlessly within each other for compact storage anywhere at home or on the go. The step modules can also double as storage bins for favorite toys. The combination of Pet Step’s unparalleled convenience and contemporary style is unique to the growing market for pet products.
Modular, Magnetic Pet Steps will be available for pre-order via Indiegogo next week and early backers will get access to exclusive discounts up to 54% off.
This launch by Prestagon Pets follows more than 10 years of home product innovation and an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2012 featuring a product called PlateTopper.
Being pet parents themselves, the creation of Pet Steps was a labor of love for the Prestagon Team, saying in a statement:
“Pet Steps were invented to make spaces more accessible to precious four legged companions, while also keeping homes clean and pristine. No existing products in the market ticked both of these boxes, so the team began tinkering with various design concepts. It was very important that the end product was pleasing to the eye, to ensure that this will be used frequently. Convenience, aesthetics, portability, and ease of use would all significantly impact whether or not Pet Steps would successfully become routine to the daily lives of pet owners.”
Feature Highlights
Magnetically aligned & connected
Three height adjustments
Rubberized anti-slip grip top surfaces
Lightweight composite materials
Nestable storage bins
Sturdy & durable design
Supports up to 150lb
For Collaboration and Inquiries
Joie De Luzuriaga Media Contact Rainfactory Inc. T: +1 (470) 518-4122 E: joie@rainfactory.com
Take a look inside our Parvo Puppy ICU! In June we partnered with Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. and they donated all their proceeds from their Rescue Roast to our Parvo Puppy ICU to help us save even more little lives. We appreciate your support!
One of Austin’s pet lifesaving treasures is at risk after ANOTHER flooding situation with sewage spilling into all three parvovirus treatment wards.
This is the same situation that the clinic staff faced this past Saturday when Austin Pets Alive! asked for adopters and fosters to pick up puppies who had already been treated – and tested negative – for parvovirus.
Because the Austin community responded and helped pick up 17 puppies on Saturday and 23 puppies on Sunday, there are currently 51 puppies being treated in the Parvo ICU.
No puppies are in danger of not being treated today but we are asked to take more sick puppies – multiple times throughout the day.
That said, the plumbing needs to be fixed quickly – and as you know, Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit, almost entirely funded through donations. Austin Pets Alive! does not receive any government funding AND the Parvo ICU has – so far this year – treated a whopping 563 puppies, which is 51% more parvo puppies than the same period of time in 2021.
APA! has one of the only parvo treatment units for shelter pets and is, by far, the largest in Texas. That means that any downtime translates into not being able to continue to accept the high volume of puppies who would certainly die without our Parvo Puppy ICU.
Click here if you’re able to give to help us raise the $15K we need to stop the flooding in our Parvo Puppy ICU. Thank you!
Paddle for Puppies is back on May 15th and better than ever! Paddle for Puppies, an annual event presented by Austin Subaru, provides incredible support for our Parvo Puppy ICU Program at Austin Pets Alive!.
Our Parvo Puppy ICU cares for puppies that contract canine parvovirus, a highly contagious and life-threatening virus that increases their risk for euthanasia in certain shelters. In 2021 alone, a record-breaking 963 lives were saved from the Parvo Puppy ICU. That’s 400 more puppies than we saved in 2020 – this program is expanding by the minute!
One of the puppies saved so far in 2022 was named Rover. Rover is a very special puppy. Apart from being a parvo survivor and having precious droopy ears that stole everyone’s hearts, Rover was the 100,000th life saved at APA!.
Needless to say, Rover’s adoption was quick. He really did steal everyone’s hearts, including Timothy and Katherine Shook’s. The Shooks were Rover’s perfect match for a couple of reasons. First, they’re great pet parents. Second, Timothy just so happens to be APA!’s main point of contact with Austin Subaru who puts on Paddle for Puppies. They are one of the largest supporters of the very same program that saved Rover’s life.
Today, months later, Rover Shook is happy at home and, from what we hear, has been a great addition to their family. Just take a look at some of what they had to say:
What is your favorite quality about Rover?
“Our favorite quality of Rover’s is his playfulness; he loves chewing on hands, blankets, pillows – anything he can get his teeth on. He chases us as we walk and bites at our shoes, and he has enjoyed a few games of ‘Attack the Swiffer.’”
How does it feel knowing you had a part in saving Rover’s life?
“Having a puppy whose life would’ve been cut short without the APA! parvo facility keeps us very grounded. We are so grateful that Rover was able to receive treatment, and we were able to help support the parvo ICU and the staff that keep the unit running.”
What do you want people to know about APA!?
“We would love for people to know that APA! has saved over 100,000 lives and is working on a national initiative to increase the number of lives they’re able to save.
Thank you Austin Subaru, for supporting our Parvo Puppy ICU that helps save pets like Rover. Thank you Shook family, for giving Rover a home. Thank you to our APA! community for all of your support that helps make stories like Rover’s possible. And lastly, thank you Rover for being so darn cute, and for being the face of this year’s Paddle for Puppies!
This year’s Paddle for Puppies is taking place on May 15 from 6:45-10:00 AM at the Rowing Dock. We hope to see you there! You’ll also receive a special t-shirt featuring Rover when you sign up. Register today to paddle and save a puppy’s life: https://www.paddleforpuppies.com/
Eugene was just one month old when he was surrendered to the APA! Parvo Puppy ICU fighting for his life.
#AmplifyLifesaving today and ensure pets just like Eugene get a fighting chance.
Lucy Fernandez spends her Fridays volunteering in the parvo ward when she is not working with the Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (P.A.S.S.) program. One Friday, Eugene came “in bad shape.” Unlike a normal, bright, energetic puppy, Eugene was lethargic. “When they’re lethargic like that,” Lucy said, “it’s bad news.”
Lucy was holding Eugene while the Parvo staff administered fluids and right before her eyes, Eugene stopped breathing. His head went limp and “he died in my hands.” Parvo and clinic staff jumped into action to put a line in Eugene’s neck and do everything possible to bring him back to life. “It seemed like an hour,” Lucy said. “But it was only a few minutes.”
Miraculously, Eugene started breathing again. “I just bawled,” Lucy said. “He wasn’t even named when all of that happened.”
After several days of treatment and worrying about the squishy pup, Eugene started eating again. Parvovirus can be prevented altogether with proper vaccination in young puppies. But without proactive care, parvovirus is extremely contagious and many shelters do not have the space or resources to quarantine and treat patients. At APA!, we take pride in our 88.5% parvo puppy survival rate!
“What we do is not perfect,” she said. “But it’s a miracle.”
Eugene has been discharged from the Parvo ICU and is in a loving foster home where he’ll stay until he’s available for adoption. Without your support of our lifesaving programs like the Parvo Puppy ICU, we never would’ve been able to treat the 1,087 parvo puppies in 2021.
