austindogandcat.com
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
MySpoiledPuppy.com is one sick puppy with a grade of "F" says Central Texas BBB
Texas-Based Company Selling Sick Animals Online
BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas reports the Web site, MySpoiledPuppy.com, operated by the business Adorable Petz, currently has a BBB rating of F due to, among other things, revocation of BBB Accreditation and a pattern of complaints.
Consumer complaints received by BBB allege that puppies purchased from the company developed severe illnesses, resulting in high veterinary bills and, in some cases, death of the animal. Complaints received by BBB further allege the company was slow to return payments or deposits to consumers who did not receive pets.
Kristie Williams of San Antonio purchased a maltipoo puppy named Peyton from Adorable Petz on September 16, 2009 for $350. Five days later, the puppy was rushed to Williams’ vet.
“I got up one morning and she was totally limp,” said Williams. “After the vet visit, the breeder took her because he was going to take her to his vet, but she died in her sleep.”
Adorable Petz offered Williams a replacement puppy and she accepted on September 28th. Three days later, her new puppy Daisy became sick and was taken to the same veterinarian that saw her first puppy. Williams took Daisy back home after an overnight visit, but had to readmit her four days on October 6, 2009, when she was diagnosed with Parvo.
Source: TexasInsider.org
BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas reports the Web site, MySpoiledPuppy.com, operated by the business Adorable Petz, currently has a BBB rating of F due to, among other things, revocation of BBB Accreditation and a pattern of complaints.
Consumer complaints received by BBB allege that puppies purchased from the company developed severe illnesses, resulting in high veterinary bills and, in some cases, death of the animal. Complaints received by BBB further allege the company was slow to return payments or deposits to consumers who did not receive pets.
Kristie Williams of San Antonio purchased a maltipoo puppy named Peyton from Adorable Petz on September 16, 2009 for $350. Five days later, the puppy was rushed to Williams’ vet.
“I got up one morning and she was totally limp,” said Williams. “After the vet visit, the breeder took her because he was going to take her to his vet, but she died in her sleep.”
Adorable Petz offered Williams a replacement puppy and she accepted on September 28th. Three days later, her new puppy Daisy became sick and was taken to the same veterinarian that saw her first puppy. Williams took Daisy back home after an overnight visit, but had to readmit her four days on October 6, 2009, when she was diagnosed with Parvo.
Source: TexasInsider.org
Monday, December 21, 2009
National No Kill Advocates Announce Austinite Ryan Clinton of FixAustin an Award Recipient
National No Kill Advocacy Center announces 2009 recipients of the Henry Bergh Leadership Award for unwavering commitment to ending the systematic killing of animals in U.S. shelters. FixAustin came in third on the list.
Foster a Lonely Local Pet for the Holidays
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Austin Pets Alive! and Town Lake'unusual collaboration may help more animals find furrever homes and reduce euthanasia rates
by CLARA TUMA / KVUE News
Posted on December 16, 2009 at 4:52 PM
The animal rescue group Austin Pets Alive! has a problem these days. It's not a bad problem to have, but it's still a bit of a problem.
The Town Lake Animal Center has agreed to let Austin Pets Alive! use six of its cages to house dogs overnight. APA will take the dogs out to adoption sites during the day, then will keep animals that were not adopted at the shelter overnight.
The agreement is the first of its kind in Austin, but it presents APA with an immediate need for a new adoption site. It also needs about $10,000 for a transport vehicle and pens and tents for the new site.
Recommended: Local Pet Pawtographer that Lives on Booty's Crossing in Georgetown
pet.pawtography.com
Carolyne Adams says that working with animals requires patients, persistence and determination, and of course, a Love and understanding for them.
I have in the past had pets that I have lost due to sickness or age.
I know they can’t last forever but their memories in a photo can. I like to capture the image or expression the owner sees daily."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
And we think Austin is soo Liberal? Houston elects openly lesbian mayor over weekend What you may not know? She's also a big time animal lover!
She goes for women not men but she's AC/DC when it comes to dogs and cats. She loves them both.
Photo by Evin Thayer Photography,producer of the Houston Astros Pet Calendar which benefits the Houston Humane Society.
Great interview with Parker by houstondogblog.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Great story in Sunday's Statesman on Grieving the Loss of Loved Dog
Zeke the Rhodesian Ridgeback called Austin's Northwest Hills home.
In the moonlight on his last night, I went to his bed. Zeke looked up as if he had been waiting for me. We sat together quietly and listened to the night. I whispered to him, and he watched me with wise eyes. I thanked him for his friendship over these past 12 years. I told him that no earthly creature has been closer to me during my adult life. And I told him that I am glad we found each other.
Recommended: Photos of Duncan, cat of so very many moods, on sale at Dillo Christmas Bazaar
Title: Duncan sitting in the corner
"Duncan is my Scottish Fold cat and he sits this way often. Sometimes people ask if I pose him. Anyone who knows cats knows they can hardly be posedthey want to do something only if it is their idea."
Available at Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
www.kipholm.com
Hyde Park kitty missing: Last seen Avenue H near Daily Juice
Bill is a shorthair, white cat w/brown & black splotches Weighs about 10 pounds. Does not have a collar but is microchipped.
Contact: Ryan at austinlivejournal.com
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Texas Labrador Rescue featured today on dogtime.com
by Pups The Traveling Labrador on Wednesday December 02, 2009.
While I was in Austin I got to hang see the most amazing collection of Pawsome Labrador Art.
My host Ray from Heart of Texas Labrador Rescue has over 600 pieces of Lab art. Everything from paintings to sculpture to canes and a bunch of other stuff.
He showed me some of the more interesting pieces. Like this Lab that was carved out of a single block of wood. He calls it the Lockness Lab because of its long neck. And then there is the amazing painting collection. Here are a couple of pictures of me with some of them.
And if that were not Pawsome enough Ray has an incredible collection of Kitchen Magnets that he has collected from all the places in the world he has visited. I have been to many of them but some look to be very interesting places. I really want to go exploring in Egypt and Jordan.
I bet there are Pawsome Mummies still to be found.
more
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Check out comments at end of this KXAN story about Round Rock family distraught that city officials euthanized their dogs
Tears filled Courtney Swoboda's already puffy eyes as she looked at the large picture of Boomer, taking up the entire background on the laptop computer sitting on the coffee table in her living room.
The 4-year old lab-pit bull mix had a black coat, except for a small patch of white on his paws and chest. A a black graduation cap was perched on his head. The photo was snapped about two years ago when he graduated from dog obedience school.
Next, Courtney pulled up a photo of Dart. He was an all black lab mix who quickly became Boomer's partner in crime. In their younger years, the two would make a mess inside the Swoboda's home on Ferndale Drive in Round Rock.
While Courtney was home alone Wednesday afternoon, a Round Rock Animal Control Officer Christi Snell and a Round Rock police officer knocked on her front door.
"The lady started out, 'Your dog attacked me' And I'm thinking to myself, 'My dogs?' said Courtney.
Last time she checked on the two, they were sitting quietly near their doghouse in the fenced-in backyard. Sure enough, the two had been busy creating a small opening to sneak out of their new wooden fence.
According to a dispatch report, the Swoboda's backyard neighbors had called to report the 'dogs are very aggressive' and barking. They also claimed the dogs were keeping them from leaving.
"Clearly the dogs were trying to dominate the area and control anybody's movements in or out," said Round Rock police officer Eric Poteet, a spokesperson for the department who was not on scene.
Snell, who first responded to the call alone, said Dart ran toward her in the neighbor's backyard to attack so she hit him with her bite stick. She said Boomer also ran over and started circling her to attack.
Courtney and her husband, Sean, said their dogs had never attacked anyone before. While they did not witness the encounter with authorities, they assumed the first dog just wanted to check out the animal control officer, and when she started beating him with her baton, the other dog moved in to protect his brother.
The animal control officer gave Courtney three options. The first one was to pay $1,000 per day to the city ($500 per dog) to keep the dogs quarantined until a custody hearing, or take the dogs out of the county.
Courtney told her she needed some time to call her husband so they could discuss what to do.
"Because of my recent pay cuts, I knew that's not an option. I can't do that," said Courtney. "The other option-- she said 'you can surrender the dogs to me.' She said they'll be put down eventually."
The city told her she needed to make a decision right then. She signed an owner release form which gives the city full custody of the dogs. It also gives them the right to euthanize the dogs.
The officers asked Courtney to walk the dogs to the animal control vehicle so they could haul them away. One was on a leash, but the other was running loose. The police officer claims the unleashed dog charged at him and the animal control officer.
He pulled his gun and pointed it toward the dog. The dog stopped and backed away.
After the officers left, Courtney called family members to tell them what had happened. Her mother tried calling Snell's cell phone number listed on the business card she left with Courtney. When Courtney's mother reached someone at the police department around 4:45 p.m., a little less than two hours after the incident, someone told her over the phone the dogs have already been killed.
My mom had called me and said, 'Are you sitting down?' I said, 'What do you mean?' and I was like, 'They didn't put them down did they?' She said, 'They're both gone already," said Courtney.
The city said the dog's aggressive behavior left them no choice.
"Ultimately the dogs were euthanized because the owners could not take responsibility for them," said Poteet. "Aggressive animals don't leave you many options and that's a very sad thing--we don't like that."
Both the animal control officer, Christi Snell , who handled the case and her supervisor, Kim Harrington , declined to comment on camera about the case.
Story by KXAN
The 4-year old lab-pit bull mix had a black coat, except for a small patch of white on his paws and chest. A a black graduation cap was perched on his head. The photo was snapped about two years ago when he graduated from dog obedience school.
Next, Courtney pulled up a photo of Dart. He was an all black lab mix who quickly became Boomer's partner in crime. In their younger years, the two would make a mess inside the Swoboda's home on Ferndale Drive in Round Rock.
While Courtney was home alone Wednesday afternoon, a Round Rock Animal Control Officer Christi Snell and a Round Rock police officer knocked on her front door.
"The lady started out, 'Your dog attacked me' And I'm thinking to myself, 'My dogs?' said Courtney.
Last time she checked on the two, they were sitting quietly near their doghouse in the fenced-in backyard. Sure enough, the two had been busy creating a small opening to sneak out of their new wooden fence.
According to a dispatch report, the Swoboda's backyard neighbors had called to report the 'dogs are very aggressive' and barking. They also claimed the dogs were keeping them from leaving.
"Clearly the dogs were trying to dominate the area and control anybody's movements in or out," said Round Rock police officer Eric Poteet, a spokesperson for the department who was not on scene.
Snell, who first responded to the call alone, said Dart ran toward her in the neighbor's backyard to attack so she hit him with her bite stick. She said Boomer also ran over and started circling her to attack.
Courtney and her husband, Sean, said their dogs had never attacked anyone before. While they did not witness the encounter with authorities, they assumed the first dog just wanted to check out the animal control officer, and when she started beating him with her baton, the other dog moved in to protect his brother.
The animal control officer gave Courtney three options. The first one was to pay $1,000 per day to the city ($500 per dog) to keep the dogs quarantined until a custody hearing, or take the dogs out of the county.
Courtney told her she needed some time to call her husband so they could discuss what to do.
"Because of my recent pay cuts, I knew that's not an option. I can't do that," said Courtney. "The other option-- she said 'you can surrender the dogs to me.' She said they'll be put down eventually."
The city told her she needed to make a decision right then. She signed an owner release form which gives the city full custody of the dogs. It also gives them the right to euthanize the dogs.
The officers asked Courtney to walk the dogs to the animal control vehicle so they could haul them away. One was on a leash, but the other was running loose. The police officer claims the unleashed dog charged at him and the animal control officer.
He pulled his gun and pointed it toward the dog. The dog stopped and backed away.
After the officers left, Courtney called family members to tell them what had happened. Her mother tried calling Snell's cell phone number listed on the business card she left with Courtney. When Courtney's mother reached someone at the police department around 4:45 p.m., a little less than two hours after the incident, someone told her over the phone the dogs have already been killed.
My mom had called me and said, 'Are you sitting down?' I said, 'What do you mean?' and I was like, 'They didn't put them down did they?' She said, 'They're both gone already," said Courtney.
The city said the dog's aggressive behavior left them no choice.
"Ultimately the dogs were euthanized because the owners could not take responsibility for them," said Poteet. "Aggressive animals don't leave you many options and that's a very sad thing--we don't like that."
Both the animal control officer, Christi Snell , who handled the case and her supervisor, Kim Harrington , declined to comment on camera about the case.
Story by KXAN
Santa Claws Fundraiser for some cool street-wise cats who deserve furrever homes
Dec. 5th 2009
6pm - 9pm: Street Cat Rescue's 2nd Annual Santa "Claws" Fundraiser Event at Austin Business Furniture Showroom, located at 9300 United Drive, near 183/Burnet Rd.
A $20 donation cover charge includes: Food, beverages (including beer and wine), a door prize ticket (great prizes!), music & a little dancing! Enjoy silent auction and visit “Santa’s Store” for a little Christmas shopping too, including some great dog and cat lover items!
Suggested RSVP Date : Dec. 1st. Call 762-3597 or contact streetcatrescue@earthlink.net.
For more info: 512-762-3597 or email: streetcatrescue@earthlink.net
The Central Texas SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 non-euthanasia (no-kill), limited intake animal shelter, established in 1988.
Street Cat Rescue educates the public on the pet overpopulation problem and TNR- a humane solution to the feral and stray cat population. Trapping classes and other training is also offered.
Those animal-friendly Texas license plates aren't just for making your car look cuter
Austin residents who live east of Interstate 35 are eligible to have their cats spayed and neutered for free, thanks to a grant from the state.
The Town Lake Animal Shelter was given $40,000 for the effort. Half of the money comes from the purchase of Texas animal-friendly license plates. The rest was matched in donations.
“We are very excited to offer this important free service to pet owners as this program will continue to help the community reduce the number of unwanted kittens and cats coming into the city’s shelter,” said Dorinda Pulliam, assistant director, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services, in a news release.
From November through January, Emancipet will perform the surgery, vaccinate against rabies and give eligible pets a microchip – for free.
To book appointments, call 587-7729.
from KVUE.com
Dog lover Recessionista tip: Video gives step by step directions on how to bathe your dog
Click on link
http://www.howcast.com/videos/1095-How-To-Bathe-Your-Dog
Brought to you by Howcast's Emerging Filmmakers Program
Friday, November 6, 2009
KVUE reports Austin closer to "no-kill" shelter
by STEVE ALBERTS / KVUE News
Posted on November 5, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Updated yesterday at 5:41 PM
Inside a 25 foot silver trailer on South Lamar and Mary Street in South Austin, unwanted pets are getting a second chance at life.
“If we hadn’t gone down there this poor guy would have been killed and put in a trash bag, “ says Lindsay McCay a veterinary nurse for Austin Pets Alive. “I just don’t think it’s very fair to put a dog like this in a dump.”
Red, a Pitbull mix, was scheduled to be euthanized Thursday morning at Town Lake Animal Center. He wasn't alone. Shelly a Border Collie mix, and Bitsy and Ridgy two Chihuahuas were also scheduled to be put down. They were all saved by Austin Pets Alive.
“We walk around and we pick animals off the euthanasia list that we think we can find homes for,” said McCay. “It usually varies anywhere from five to 10 animals a day.”
The animals are vaccinated, spayed and neutered, micro-chipped and put up for adoption. In 2008, more than 10,000 dogs and cats were killed at Town Lake Animal Center. Thursday, the Austin City Council moved a step closer to making Austin a "no-kill" city for animals.
In a unanimous vote, council members directed City Manager Marc Ott to save more dogs and cats from death. City staff will work with members of the city's Animal Advisory Commission to prepare a plan.
The plan calls for an adoption program with off-site adoptions seven days a week, and a large-scale foster program with low-cost spay/neuter services.It also recommends ending the killing of any healthy or non aggressive dog while kennels or cages are unused. The plan calls for a 90 percent save rate as a goal for Austin.
Dorinda Pulliam is Executive Director of Town Lake Animal Center. She says the shelter has made progress when it comes to euthanasia.
“Our euthanasia rate dropped significantly this year down to 32 percent to 7,000 compared to 10,900," said Pulliam.
Still for Lindsay McCay and other animal advocates, their mission won’t be complete until every animal has a second chance at life.
“It’s such a huge step for Austin to be making in the right direction to get out of the planning phases and start saving lives everyday.”
The resolution will come back before the council in March.
Posted on November 5, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Updated yesterday at 5:41 PM
Inside a 25 foot silver trailer on South Lamar and Mary Street in South Austin, unwanted pets are getting a second chance at life.
“If we hadn’t gone down there this poor guy would have been killed and put in a trash bag, “ says Lindsay McCay a veterinary nurse for Austin Pets Alive. “I just don’t think it’s very fair to put a dog like this in a dump.”
Red, a Pitbull mix, was scheduled to be euthanized Thursday morning at Town Lake Animal Center. He wasn't alone. Shelly a Border Collie mix, and Bitsy and Ridgy two Chihuahuas were also scheduled to be put down. They were all saved by Austin Pets Alive.
“We walk around and we pick animals off the euthanasia list that we think we can find homes for,” said McCay. “It usually varies anywhere from five to 10 animals a day.”
The animals are vaccinated, spayed and neutered, micro-chipped and put up for adoption. In 2008, more than 10,000 dogs and cats were killed at Town Lake Animal Center. Thursday, the Austin City Council moved a step closer to making Austin a "no-kill" city for animals.
In a unanimous vote, council members directed City Manager Marc Ott to save more dogs and cats from death. City staff will work with members of the city's Animal Advisory Commission to prepare a plan.
The plan calls for an adoption program with off-site adoptions seven days a week, and a large-scale foster program with low-cost spay/neuter services.It also recommends ending the killing of any healthy or non aggressive dog while kennels or cages are unused. The plan calls for a 90 percent save rate as a goal for Austin.
Dorinda Pulliam is Executive Director of Town Lake Animal Center. She says the shelter has made progress when it comes to euthanasia.
“Our euthanasia rate dropped significantly this year down to 32 percent to 7,000 compared to 10,900," said Pulliam.
Still for Lindsay McCay and other animal advocates, their mission won’t be complete until every animal has a second chance at life.
“It’s such a huge step for Austin to be making in the right direction to get out of the planning phases and start saving lives everyday.”
The resolution will come back before the council in March.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Girl finds loving adoptive family, learns life lesson from her dog
As a child growing up in foster care, Alexis M. may not have lived a dog's life, but she's learned a lot from her dog, Lucky.
"I’ve learned that you can overcome a bad start in life from my dog," she says in her contribution to the recently released book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From My Dog.
"When he came to us he was thin and hungry and had bald spots from fleas. He had an infection. The people who had him wanted to get rid of him. He was the last in the litter and if they couldn’t find a home for him they were going to shoot him. My neighbor took him so he wouldn’t be shot, but she couldn’t keep him. My mom and dad decided to let me have him."
Alexis, who now lives in northeast Texas, knew the dog needed a loving home of his own. She knew because, like thousands of foster children awaiting adoption, she once asked herself, "Why not me? Why can't I have a family?"
"I understand how his life has been because my life had pretty much been the same," she says. "Even though he was a dog, I understood how it made him feel to be treated that way. I was in foster care for almost five years. My first years of life were really tough. Taking care of him has helped me deal with some of my past hurts and problems."
November 2009 is Adoption Month in Texas and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is asking caring adults two simple questions: “Why not you? Why not adopt an older child?” This year, the department's “Why Not Me?” campaign features three months of radio and television public service announcements, aired in cooperation with the Texas Association of Broadcasters. The spots begin running in early November and will air until the end of January 2010. See the spots in the “Why Not Me?” section of adoptchildren.org.
New Player in Competitive Local Coffee Shop Market Offers Discounts to Benefit Austin's Own Blue Dog Rescue
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s locally owned franchisee, Lone Star Bean, today announced that it will host its first Blue Dog Rescue fundraiser in stores from November 2 to November 20.
This program works in two ways:
From November 2 to November 20, customers can help create awareness with the purchase of a bracelet at the two Austin locations for a minimum donation of $1. When a participating customer comes back to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf wearing the bracelet, he or she will receive a ten percent discount on all prepared beverages through December 4. All proceeds from the sales of the bracelets, excluding the production costs, will be donated to Blue Dog Rescue to help them with their foster program.
To further support their partnership, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will host Blue Dog Rescue informational foster events:
- Sunday, November 1, at the South Lamar location from 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, November 7, at the North Lamar location from 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, November 15, at the South Lamar location from 10:00 a.m. to noon
“Our goal is to help Blue Dog Rescue raise awareness and collectively make a difference in the lives of our four-legged friends,” said Bill Duffy, Chief Operating Officer of Lone Star Bean. “Since we’ve created a pet-friendly environment, it is clear that this is a perfect fit for our customers and a cause that is near to them as well.”
In addition to its fundraising efforts, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will now sell Blue Dog Rescue’s 2010 Music and Mutts calendar in both of its stores - 221 S. Lamar Blvd. (one block south of Lady Bird Lake), and 3718 N. Lamar Blvd. (on the southwest corner of North Lamar & 38th Street).
Lone Star Bean is the locally owned Texas franchisee of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retail business in the United States. For address, store information and hours, visit www.coffeebean.com.
National Pet Sitter Franchise Moves into Austin Market
dbusinessnews.com reports FETCH! Pet Care, new to Austin and serving the Northwest and Southwest areas, uses a sophisticated telephone dispatch system and advanced software that tracks assignments and delivers real-time electronic client order confirmations and automated sitter assignment reminders.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
This 'Bear' May Be For You: Local Playwright/Actress/Writer/Cat Lover Sidney Brammar has cat that needs a furever home
Smokey Bear is a "love bug" kind of kitty who wandered up to Sidney's house last August.
She's 2-3 years old.
Spayed and current on shots.
Affectionate purr machine calico with golden eyes.
Thick fur soft as velvet.
Has collar and tags.
She's not fitting in well with other cats.
Contact Sidney at 512-916-0001 or 512-657-8101.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Central Texas SPCA 21st Anniversary Gala Nov. 19
CTSPCA's 21st Anniversary will honor its 2009 Animal Advocate of the Year, Nicole Mlakar-Livingston, include a delicious dinner, live jazz from Kris Kimura, and a silent auction, all benefiting the organization's adoption programs. Tickets are on sale now and sponsorship opportunties are available. For more information on sponsorship levels, please contact President@CentralTexasSPCA.org
DINNER MENU
Entrée Selections
Vegetarian Lasagna
Hearty Layers of Pasta & Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Marinara
Sterling Style Chicken Breast
Caramelized Onions, Apple Smoked Bacon, Porcini Mushrooms, Provolone Cheese, with a Champagne Cream Sauce
Tender Medallion of Beef
Choice-Cut Tenderloin of Beef with Demi Glace Sauce
Vegetables
Sterling House Salad
Spinach, Boston, Romaine Lettuces with Toasted Pecans, Sweet Red Bell Peppers, Red Onions, Feta Cheese Traditional Ranch or Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings
Chef’s Seasonal Grilled Vegetables
Starches
Au Gratin Potatoes
Selection of Petit Desserts
Silent auction donations:
- Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles Jan 3, 2010 - 2 Tickets
- Paggi House - Dinner Gift Certificate
- San Jose Hotel - Dinner Gift Certificate
- Nicole-Mlakar Livingston - Photography Sitting Gift Certificate
- Marion Bermondy - Painting
- Four Seasons Hotel - Gift certificate for 1-night stay
- Renaissance Hotel - Gift certificate for 2-night stay
- All About Diamonds - Gift Certificate
- Austin Java - Gift Certificate
- Sweet Leaf Tea - Gift Basket
- Dee Dee Yelverton - Jewelry and Fine Art Print
- Stubbs BBQ - Gift Basket
- Austin Dirty Dog - One year of free dog washes
- The Knitting Nest - Hand-knitted sweater w/matching dog sweater
- Rio Grande Austin - Gift package and gift certificate
- South Austin Tattoo - Gift Certificate
- Bath Junkie - Gift Basket
- Dirty Dog - Gift Basket
- Robin Senor - Painting
- Vicki Lieberman - Electric Guitar
Friday, October 30, 2009
What's in Dogue on the Catwalk Will Be Unveiled at Rags2Wags Gala Nov. 14 at Hyatt Regency Austin
Cocker spaniels in couture, tabby cats in tiaras, and pets of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff down the runway—along with celebrity pet lovers. This year’s Rags3Wags will also feature unique live and silent auction items, a delicious dinner reception, and an evening of live entertainment—all to support the homeless animals of the Austin Humane Society.
Sponsorships start at $250. Individual tickets are $75.
How does that money help Austin animals?
Check out this video of cat and dog BFFs Reddy Boy & Mousey.
In 2008, the Austin Humane Society found permanent homes for almost 2,900 dogs and cats, spayed and neutered more than 5,000 cats in the second year at its Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic and found foster homes for almost 1,100 dogs and cats.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
KVUE reports animal clinic burglarized and target of malacious harassment
A non-profit Austin animal clinic says it's the target of malicious harassment -- and is offering a reward to anyone who helps them find the person who has repeatedly broken into the clinic over the last month..
"Somebody out there is after us," says Missy McCullough, executive director of the Animal Trustees of Austin. "We're not sure what's going on."
The clinic has been broken in six times over the last 29 days, costing the Animal Trustees more than $6,000 to replace stolen equipment, repair broken property and upgrade security.
"It's just outrageous," McCullough says.
An on-site portable office has been hit four times, including after it was moved behind a locked fence.
"Even when we put burglar bars on it, they brought bolt cutters and cut through the burglar bars and broke the window," McCullough says.
The thief, or thieves, has broken windows, stolen a laptop and lab equipment and vandalized offices. During one break-in, the burglar left the clinic's refrigerator open, which contaminated more than $2,500 in vaccines and medical tests that had to be destroyed.
"This person is kind of escalating," she says. "They keep getting bolder and bolder. Almost every week, at least once a week, we've been broken into...It's become a very costly thing for us."
The clinic provides low-cost veterinary care.
McCullough says the $6,000 the break-ins have cost in repairs and upgraded security could have been used to spay and neuter more than 120 animals.
"We've got to find this person and find out why they're doing this to us and hopefully stop this, so we can get on with our work here," McCullough says.
Clinic workers say they think the same person is responsible for all the break-ins, but say they have no way of knowing for sure.
The clinic is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
McCullough is asking that anyone with information call police or call the clinic at 512-371-1968.
Most Recent Comments: 1
LanaC 5 hours ago wrote:
Friday, October 23, 2009
'I vant to suck yur blooooddd ruff ruff' or how to assure your dog doesn't feel like a fool all dressed up for Halloween
- Schedule a dress rehearsal and try on all costumes well before the big night. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). If your pet seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or in a simple, festive bandana.
- Does your pet have sensitive skin? Even those with hearty coats can have allergic reactions to the synthetic materials found in many costumes. While you ride a sugar high, your pet might be uncomfortably scratching the night away.
- If you do dress up your pet, be sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and make absolutely sure it doesn’t limit your pet’s movement, hearing, vision or ability to breathe or bark. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, which can lead to injury.
- It’s best to avoid costumes with lots of sequins or other dangling parts that your pet could eat or choke on.
Nora's Not Playing 'Melancholy Baby': The Piano-Playing Tabby Wins ASPCA Cat of the Year Award
When Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow of Philadelphia, PA, visited an animal shelter in Cherry Hill, NJ, they never imagined they would adopt a feline prodigy.
Nora, a grey Tabby named after the surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, appeared to be your average mischievous young kitten.
But this seemingly ordinary shelter cat is receiving an extraordinary honor next week, when she will be officially named Cat of the Year at the annual ASPCA Humane Awards in New York City.
For a complete list of this year’s award winners, including a guide dog for a disabled Iraq War veteran and two undercover agents who assisted in the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history, check out the ASPCA website.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dog runs free with wind in his hair on a beautiful Austin day, courtesy Statesman photoblogger
A dog’s life. How tough can it be. First, if you’re homeless you have to survive the streets. If you end up in a shelter, you pray for the right person to come along to provide the loving home you wished for all your life. You have to behave, sit, stay, shake hands, stop scratching, stop sniffing, eat your food when served, don’t make a mess, don’t tip over the water dish, stop barking, stop chasing the cat, play nice with other dogs, love all kids, absolutely no chewing or biting, and always, always greet the pack leader with affection and praise. Then you can expect the perks that come with good behavior, like going to the dog park, running free with the wind in your hair, splashing in the cold water of the creek, meeting new friends, chasing a tennis ball, only if you like that sort of thing, and reminding your owner to clean up after yourself when the time comes. This is probably the most important part of being a dog, having a responsible owner.
Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman
National Pit Bull Awareness Weekend event at Zilker this weekend features dunk Michael Vick dunk tank for charity
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s dog handler John G
arcia , known for rehabilitating 22 of the 49 dogs (now affectionately referred to as the “Vicktory Dogs”) seized from the bust of the Michael Vick/Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting ring, will be in town this weekend to participate in the two-day, family-friendly, Love-A-Bull event.
arcia , known for rehabilitating 22 of the 49 dogs (now affectionately referred to as the “Vicktory Dogs”) seized from the bust of the Michael Vick/Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting ring, will be in town this weekend to participate in the two-day, family-friendly, Love-A-Bull event.
A Family Fun Day
October 24, 5 PM – 9 PM at Zilker Hillside Theater
Free to the public! Dogs on leash are welcome. Chairs are not permitted, but blankets or towels are encouraged.
- A public screening of National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Town,” including footage of John Garcia working with the Vicktory Dogs at Best Friends (begins at 7:30 PM).
- Autographs with John Garcia
- Games and crafts, including: henna tattoos, face painting, balloon animals, bandanna painting
- Under Pressure t-shirt silk screening
- Pumpkin patch photo booth
- Dunk tank (dunk “Michael Vick” for charity!)
- Raffle
- Refreshments: Amy’s Ice Cream, Aloha Sno-Cones and Waffles, Zuzu’s tacos, Solar Natural Foods, Sweet Leaf tea
- Pick the Pit Bull game, trivia, and prize giveaways
- Information and adoptable pets from Emancipet, Happy Endings, Town Lake Animal Center, Best Friends, and Reunion Rescue
- Booths featuring our trainer, Jessica Wilson and Haute Dog Magazine
A Downtown Pet Parade and Costume Contest, led by John Garcia
October 25, 2 PM at Austin City Hall
Free to the public! Bring your leashed loved ones and the whole family for this walk through downtown. Austin Java and Lofty Dog will provide rest stops, and there will be prizes for best human and dog costumes! DJ Yoshi will be spinning tunes for your enjoyment. Free Parking in the City Hall Garage (entrance on Lavaca).
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It looks like this person on Craigs list is furious with ATA.
In the future, ATA, if you want information from the public it might be more helpful to publish an email address. My limited experience with telephoning in tips nets someone who has no clue what you are referring to when you call, and no idea how to prioritize information that is useful.
Anyway, my guess is whoever posted this post on Craigs List would be able to give you information about the vandalism.
http://austin.craigslist.org/pet/1403979678.html