Austin Pets Alive!

2012 Kitten Season preparation is underway!

austinpetsalive — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:50:07 +0000

Austin Pets Alive! kitten caretakers have been in the throes of organizing, stocking up, and preparing for kitten season which typically kicks off in full force around mid-March. Last year this Neonatal Kitten Program rescued 1,032 kittens, including mom cats with newborns, into the Nursery with round the clock volunteers providing the critical care they need. That is a significant contribution to the No-Kill efforts in Austin for 2011. A calendar featuring babies from last year is available online with all proceeds directly benefiting the Neonatal Ward.

Uno, the last neonate rescued in 2011

APA! also rescues many pregnant mom cats, getting them quickly into foster homes in an attempt to keep them stress-free and healthy so they can deliver healthy babies. In fact, in 2011, there were 124 baby kittens born in APA! foster homes! If mom cats are healthy with healthy kittens, and have small litters, APA! will place orphaned babies with them to get the nurturing, socialization and colostrum that only a mom cat can provide. In just the past few days, we have rescued Bella a pregnant mom who we expect to deliver in the next week or so, and 3 orphaned babies.

Since its inception, the growth of the Neonatal Kitten Program has been substantial. In 2009, baby kittens were rescued only as foster homes were available. In September of that year, thanks to the donation of a vintage Spartanette trailer, the program had a home. A year later the nursery moved to the facility on Manchaca, and with added space and closer proximity to the APA! Medical Clinic, the program saved 801 kittens. For 2012, the goal is simply to continue rescuing every single neonate and pregnant mom cat that end up at Austin Animal Center. With a mild, somewhat wet winter, we expect to far exceed the 1,032 lives from last year.

Bella, first pregnant mom cat of 2012, with her new babies

APA! is also sharing lessons, protocols, and infrastructure planning with other area shelters and anyone who attends the upcoming AmPA No Kill Conference that begins on February 25th. The goal is to teach other shelters and rescue organizations how to create and sustain their own Neonatal Ward.

In just a few weeks, the nursery will be relocated to the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) facility located at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. We are in need of many supplies, and are having a donation drive all through February! Donations can be dropped off at TLAC. Specific items include::

Digital kitchen scales or postal scales (must be able to weigh in grams)
KMR Brand Kitten milk replacer in powder form, available at Petco, Tomlinsons or onlilne>
PetAg brand bottles and nipple kits
Karo corn syrup
Snuggle Safe Discs
Baby blankets, fleece blankets, towels
Scrub tops
Bleach, paper towels & alcohol-free baby wipes

To make a financial donation visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Bottle-Baby-Program. We are excited to see what 2012 brings, and any and all donations will help us!

Pockie

jenna.riedi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:27:30 +0000

Pockie was on the euthanasia list at Williamson County Regional Shelter due to a lack of space, so Austin Pets Alive! brought her into our program. It seems Pockie came from a family as she goes potty outside, behaves well on a leash, knows how to “sit”, and just loves to be loved on by everyone. Her lower activity level suggests that a breath of fresh air each day is all she needs to keep that calm, content demeanor. However, the dog team noticed Pockie has been coughing and upon closer examination by the veterinary team, it seems there is a little blood in her cough as well. We would like to get x-rays done so we can tell why Pockie may be sick – will you help her?

Puppalooza this Saturday

austinpetsalive — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:28:18 +0000

It’s raining puppies! Join us this Saturday at the PetSmart at 51st Street from 1-4, where we’ll have a ton of puppies, like Desiree in the photo, ready for adoption.

Murphy – Sweet, Sensitive Goofball Wants to Steal Your Heart!

amy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:58:40 +0000

Murphy is an adorable adolescent pup with a love of affection that squishes your heart and a silly mischievious streak you can’t help but laugh at. He’s smart boy with all the potential in the world to make someone an incredible companion and best friend.

Murphy is also a sensitive guy who was having an incredibly hard time living in a shelter setting. Thanks to one of our wonderful behavioral foster homes, Murphy was able to get out of the shelter and to receive the support he needed in a much calmer setting. This boy with the irresistable grin is now ready to move from foster to forever home!

You see, as much as Murphy is a big, silly, gangly adolescent pup, he’s also a sensitive guy. He doesn’t handle the noise or the constant traffic of both people and other dogs that life in a shelter brings very well. He couldnt seem to get a good night’s sleep or a moment to just relax and take a deep breath so he was constantly feeling stressed out and amped up and a little bit on edge.

But Murphy is thriving in a home setting, where it’s quiet when it’s time to relax and where he has people willing to be silly with him at play time, give him plenty of cuddles and affection (his very favorite thing), and to work with him on training that includes socialization and confidence building. All he needs now is an adopter to fall in love with his sweet face and his silliness and give him that home setting for keeps.

Murphy was rescued from the Bastrop Shelter by APA! during the wildfires. Before that, he was picked up as a stray. We’re not sure if that experience has anything to do with this sweet guy’s aversion to the shelter environment but we do know he’s been waiting a long time for a home of his own.

Murphy comes with a training scholarship and a giant fan club who all believe in him. His sweet nature has stolen a lot of hearts and we think this dog is ready to step into a future where he’ll be more awesome and relaxed each day and keep his adopter forever entertained with his goofy antics. He loves people and does well with other dogs like his foster sister, Maddie.

If you are interested in adopting this wonderful boy, email email hidden; JavaScript is required for details. We promise that his cuddly sweetness and silly antics will make your world a better place. We also promise that helping an amazing dog like this continue on the path to meet his potential is a journey you won’t regret.

Follow Murphy & the other Louie’s Fresh Start dogs on facebook!

Frannie and Figaro

jenna.riedi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:32:42 +0000

Meet two adorable, sweet cats that need your help! Frannie is a 6 month old kitten who got caught in a car’s fan belt and suffered wounds on her face and neck. Her injuries are more severe as they are deep.

Figaro, is a super loving adult cat rescued with trauma to his neck from unknown causes that has left a gash across the back of his neck 4 inches wide. He visits the medical clinic periodically to have his bandages changed, and charms everyone with his loud purrs and affection. He enjoys the few minutes he gets, bandage-free.

While these cats may have significant things going on, many are just thankful for having a chance and for being alive. Once healed, we are certain they will both finds home very quickly.

Interested in becoming a foster for medical cases like Frannie and Figaro? Medical Fostering may involve force-feeding, administering sub-Q fluids (under the skin), or just periodic monitoring. It may also mean frequent transports to/from the Med Clinic for checkups, prescription refills and just “checking in” with a status update. If you are interested in joining the Medical Foster Team and learning more about what’s required, send an email to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Dogs with Heart(worms)

austinpetsalive — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:02:31 +0000

This month, we’re calling attention to our beautiful dogs who happen to have heartworms. We’ve picked 10 dogs and put together a special adoption package for them to help them find love this month.

These dogs’ adoption fees have been lowered to $50, which includes the heartworm treatment that our vet clinic will do with you.

They’ll also come with puzzle toys from Firecracker Dog, to give them something to do while they are in the stage of treatment when they need to be kept calm.

Austin Doga has thrown in a free gift certificate for all adopters. Doga is a great activity to do to provide enrichment, while still keeping your dog calm.

Now, meet our dogs!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJUdZutcAxE

Learn more about the 10 dogs looking for love:

Second Chance at Romance Adoption Event

austinpetsalive — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:41:47 +0000

Austin Pets Alive! will be holding a Second Chance Valentine’s adoption event (in case you missed the first one!). It will be held on February 18th at the Lakeline Petco (at the intersection of Hwy 183 and Lakeline Mall Drive) from Noon – 6:00 pm. There is a $25 minimum donation for all cats and kittens 3 months and older, and there will also be a huge Bake Sale where all proceeds go directly to the APA! Cat Program.

WHAT: Second Chance at Romance Cat Adoption Event
WHERE: Lakeline PETCO (intersection of Hwy 183 and Lakeline Mall Drive)
WHEN: February 18th, Noon-6pm

Hope to see you there!

Ramone

jenna.riedi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:48:23 +0000

My name is Ramone. I’m a sweet, big-hearted cat who has fallen on a bit of bad luck. I was recently moved into Dazey’s Ward, where the lovely volunteers who are treating my ringworm noticed I have a limp in my hind legs and a lot of pain in my back. I’ve been such a trooper through it all, still trying to pull myself up onto laps for snuggles and braving car rides to the clinic. I’ve been put on some various medications to help ease my pain, but I’m told I need x-rays to find out what is hurting me. Will you please consider donating towards the cost of my x rays, and help me get back on my feet so I can continue my journey to my forever home?