Media Release: Austin Pets Alive! Urgently Asks Austinites to Save 50 Dogs by Fostering Before July 4th- with a little help from actor Justin Theroux

Jul 01, 2016

Austin Pets Alive! Urgently Asks Austinites to Save 50 Dogs by Fostering Before July 4th- with a little help from actor Justin Theroux

July 1, 2016 (Austin, TX):

Austin Pets Alive! is reaching out to the Austin community with an urgent need to place 50 dogs in foster homes right away.

“We will see an influx of dogs on July 4th, and in order to save those incoming dogs, we need to make space. So we are pleading with the public to help us reach our goal of moving 50 dogs into foster homes now. We have relied on the community to make Austin the largest No Kill City in the country, and we need them to step up now to help us maintain that. We are asking people to literally drop what they are doing and sign up to become a foster at http://austinpetsalive.org/fosteradog. The urgency is that intense.” says Austin Pets Alive’s Director of Lifesaving Operations, Mike Kaviani.

Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center have seen a decrease in adoptions and foster homes for large, friendly dogs over the past few weeks.  “We believe that this dip is temporary but the result of even a few weeks is catastrophic.  We really need the community to come forward for some of these really great dogs. The days after Independence Day are always some of the busiest with lost dogs coming in,” said Kristen Auerbach, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer. “We need to make sure we have a place for them.”

One special dog at APA! is Izzy. Izzy is a 12-year-old mixed breed dog who, despite showing some signs of age, is an active and eager participant in APA!’s Canine Good Citizen Ready Program. She is calm, quiet, friendly, and very well-behaved. Izzy has stolen the hearts of staff and volunteers and even a celebrity! In March, HBO’s The Leftovers actor, Justin Theroux, stopped by Austin Pets Alive! and felt compelled to help Izzy move to a home. “His Instagram message read: A sweet older gal like Izzy belongs in a home, with a/c, a comfy bed, and a nice family to accompany on neighborhood strolls or kick back on the couch with,” says Carrie Morris, APA!’s Canine Good Citizen Ready Program Coordinator. “We agree with him and know she will be an easy dog to foster.” While Justin is not available for press interviews and can’t personally foster because he’s currently in Australia, he told APA!, “Oh how I love that IZZY...Kills me she is still there.”  

“50 foster homes in 3 days.  Austin, we can do this.”  said Ellen Jefferson, APA!’s Executive Director.

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Austin Pets Alive! Media Contact: Lisa Maxwell, [email protected], 512-663-3097