I'll drink to this: 5th Annual Wag The Dog Fundraiser hosted by Water 2 Wine

Click here for Early Bird pricing. 

Step aside Grumpy Cat: George the standing cat of Austin making national news

from: nypost.com

This cat is really trying to fit in with the family.

Meet George, a standing cat who is the latest feline to delight the Internet.

The Munchin-Exotic Short Hair was welcomed into the Austin, Texas home of Andrew Park and his family, when he was six weeks old. George began standing on his hind legs “like a meercat” after only a couple of weeks.

“He has really short front legs — I think it’s a genetic mutation linked to the breed,” Park told Cater News. “So maybe it’s easier to stand up than it is to crawl up somewhere.”

Now George perches up when he meets new people or is just hanging around. Andrew and his family, which include his wife Koa, 3-year-old Andyn, 15-year-old Ryhan Patterson and two pugs, Apples and Banana, have no clue how George started the strange habit.

“When we think he really wants to look at something or know what’s going on, we also find him doing it,” said Andrew.

Andrew’s wife Koa, posted a few photos of George to Facebook, and after an overwhelming response, Andrew decided to take him to Reddit.

Many Reddit users have commented that George looks similar to actor Wilford Brimley. Andrew, who’s Reddit username is Egzo, responded back, “Oh man..I really can’t stop laughing, you are like the 4th person in a hour to call him Wilford Brimley. I can’t even look at him now.”

Other Reddit users have compared George to Garfield, while some have noted his cranky expression. But the family insists George is the friendliest cat they’ve ever known.

“When people come around they are just infatuated with him,” Andrew said.

And George’s star is on the rise. The couple recently made an Instagram account for him which has already amassed 6,000 followers.

“He brings us so much and happiness that we thought we should share that with other people.”

CotA track-happy dog finds home

Photograph: ©2015 by Scott Jones / PHOTO.GP – All Rights Reserved

from: Foxsports.com

A 1-year-old dog brought track activities to a halt during practice for the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas on Friday, April 10.

A little over a week later, the track-happy pup, named Moto by his rescuers at Austin Animal Center, has found a new home.

Moto ran out on track during the opening practice session at the Circuit of The Americas, located in Austin, Texas, bringing out a red-flag period while he was captured. Fortunately, despite the wet track conditions, all of the riders were able to avoid Moto.

Now, however, the Shiba Inu mix has been adopted from the center, according to Austin Animal Center’s Facebook page.

Wishing Moto all the best with his new family!

Styles 'walks the walk' for Hounds for Heroes

Mix 94.7's Jay Styles kicked off the Courage Walk Monday, April 13th. His goal: walk 100 miles over 5 days to help fund service dogs for veterans battling PTSD.

Austin Dog Alliance will celebrate today with a Happy Hour at 4:30 as Jay finishes mile 100. at Austin Dog Alliance. If you would like to support the Hounds for Heroes program, you can DONATE HERE.  

Bark and Park? Council clears the way for luxury pet hotel at Austin airport

from: keyetv.com

The Austin City Council approved a zoning change Thursday for more airport parking with an added touch: a pet hotel.  The council approved zoning changes from residential to commercial use at a lot off Cardinal Loop off Highway 71 right by the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. There used to be several homes in the lot, but the airport bought the land as part of a noise mitigation program. The airport said it had a lot of noise because most planes land from that direction.  

However, the area was still zoned as residential until Thursday. 

Now, Scott Airport Parking is planning on building a 2,000 covered space parking lot in what’s currently a grassy, overgrown area. In negotiations for the partnership the airport required Scott to have some sort of airport amenity. So the company chose a pet hotel, something the airport said was unique.  “I think we were mostly just surprised it hadn’t been done already,”Jessy Pascarelli with Taurus Training and Doggy Care said. 

Taurus, which has several locations throughout Austin, will be managing the pet hotel with a capacity of about 150 animals, both dogs and cats. There’s also room for future expansions with more parking and space for more animals.  “So that you can drop your dog off on the way to the airport, they’ll valet your car and then you can pick your dog and your car up at the same time,” Pascarelli said. “When you get home from a trip the first thing you want to do is see your dog so it makes total sense to have a place to keep your dog and your car at the airport.” 

Pascarelli said there will even be an executive option for pets with extra space. That way while you’re travelling first class, your pet can too.  However, a lot of the details are still being ironed out, but Pascarelli said they will do a lot of things similar to what they do at Taurus.  That includes giving dogs a yard to play in and socialize together. There will also be a little bit of training.  As a spokesperson, Pascarelli doesn’t know if she’ll be able to work at the location, but she’s excited to see it built. “It’s just a big grassy lot, I can’t wait until it has a pool in front of it, all these dogs playing it’s going to be so much fun,” Pascarelli said.  

The Pet hotel is set to be built by the summer of 2016. The prices for a stay are set to be about $40 a night and $35 for daycare.

'I just met you and I love you' is real

from latimes.com

When they look into the eyes of their human companions, dogs have perfected that "you are everything to me" gaze that makes the human brain flood with oxytocin, the hormone of love, nurture and parenthood, a new study finds. (Mikako Mikura)

By MELISSA HEALY
contact the reporter

The long, loving gazes; the ritualized, often high-pitched, expressions of affection; the heroic self-sacrifice one would readily endure for the other: What is it about the bond between human and dog that is not like the relationship between parent and child?

Now comes evidence that when our dogs gaze into our eyes with that "you are everything to me" look, our bodies -- and theirs as well -- are flooded with oxytocin, the hormone of love, nurture, mutual trust and, above all, bonding that forms between a parent and child. In a new study, Japanese researchers observed the interactions of 30 dog owners and their canine companions, and found that the more the owners and their dogs gazed into each others' eyes, the more concentrated was the burst of oxytocin both human and canine produced. And, they found the more we humans return a pet's gaze and the greater the resulting surge of oxytocin, the more emphatically we believe that ours is the best dog in the whole wide world (yes, she is ...).

Click here for more.

Austin cat cafe kickstarter campaign funded

from: austin360.com

Hannah Thornby

In January, American-Statesman restaurant critic Matthew 

Odam  wrote about the possibility of a cat cafe coming to Austin.

Since then, Austinite Rebecca Gray, the cat lover behind the idea, drive 

a pedicab during South by Southwest, sold T-shirts on the street and 

started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money.

As of this week, she has reached her Kickstarter’s base financial goals, 

making Austin cat lovers’ dreams that much more real.

Scheduled to open in late 2015, the Blue Cat Café will be a place for rescue 

cats to live, hang out with cafe visitors in need of a “kitty fix” and wait to 

be adopted.

Due to food safety regulations that prohibit food from being prepared in 

the same space as a cat living area, Gray said she is planning to partner 

with multiple food vendors and host food trucks on the Blue Cat 

Café’s patio.

Gray has already reached out to vegan burger truck Arlo’s, currently on 

Red River Street. She will continue to look for more vegan options 

because, according to the Kickstarter, the Blue Cat Café is “all about 

animal care and promotion of their well-being.”

“I hope the Blue Cat Café is something that makes Austin proud 

and that it is everything a cat cafe can be in Austin,” Gray said.

The idea of a cat cafe isn’t a new one; Gray points to Cat Town 

in Oakland, Calif., as being an inspiration.

The Kickstarter has reached its $60,000 goal but
will remain open to donations until Saturday.

This weekend: Hoedown for the Hounds

Hoedown for Hounds

a country dance and dinner benefiting

Austin Dog Alliance 

When: Saturday, April 18th, 2015 at 6:30pm 

Where: Travaasa Experiential Resort 

|13500 FM 2769, Austin, TX 78726

Individual Tickets $50 | Click here to purchase tickets online! Sponsorship levels: Deputy $1,000 | Ranger $500 | Cowboy $250 Click here to sponsor the event!

Tickets include dinner, two adult beverages, country music and lots of boot stomping fun! Attire is cowboy chic - boots, hats, dresses, jeans - dress to enjoy an adult night out, cowboy style! For questions, please contact (512) 335-7100 orinfo@austindogalliance.org Click here to purchase tickets!

'Barks for Beers' month-long May fundraiser includes 12 local breweries

from: impactnews.com

Graphic by Ethan Hill

There are 12 breweries participating in this year's Barks for Beers fundraiser, which helps raise money for Austin nonprofit Divine Canines.

From left: Divine Canines volunteers Christine Springer and Heidi Armstrong are joined by Mike Pizinger, the group’s incoming board chairman, and Brian Smittle, owner of Thirsty Planet Brewing Co. Therapy dogs (from left) Bella, Jasper, Amstel and Shiner join the group at Thirsty Planet during last year’s Barks for Beers event.

Therapy dog trainers host 'Barks for Beers' fundraiser

Two of Austin’s top interests—dogs and craft beer—combine in May to create a monthlong charity event called Barks for Beers.Divine Canines, a local nonprofit that trains therapy dogs and provides free therapy dog services, partnered with a dozen Austin-area breweries for its second annual fundraiser. All participants and their pups can go to each of the breweries between May 1 and 31 and receive one free beer with purchase of a Divine Canines pint glass. The $20 glass, which goes on sale this week, can be purchased at the breweries or at various retailers.

“We realized there was high overlap” between beer enthusiasts and dog owners, said Mike Pizinger, Divine Canines board chair-elect and organizer of the event.

The event increased from eight breweries in its first year to 12 participants in 2015. Participation last year was double what the group anticipated, and this year Divine Canines anticipates selling four times as many pint glasses as last year, said Pizinger, who credits Thirsty Planet Brewing Co. owner Brian Smittle for helping to inspire the idea and connecting him with other area breweries.

“The feedback we got from last year was, ‘Do it again, and make it longer,’” Pizinger said.

The event also proved to be a social event for the nonprofit’s volunteers and their human handlers. 

“These owners are always on the job and always with their dogs and never get to socialize with each other,” said Executive Director Max Woodfin, the group’s only paid staffer. “This year they’ll have five weekends to go out and meet at breweries.”

All pet volunteers have successfully passed the organization’s five-week training course, which is held four to five times per year. There are no age, weight or breed restrictions for new therapy dog trainees, although new recruits are typically 2 years old or older, said Pizinger, whose dog Amstel joined Divine Canines in 2011 two years after gaining therapy certification. His other dog Shiner became certified in 2012. 

In total, Divine Canines has up to 80 therapy dogs and their owners that regularly visit more than 40 schools, nursing homes and public and private facilities throughout Central Texas. In fact, their therapy services have proven so popular there is often a waiting list for new locations seeking Divine Canines’ services, Woodfin said.

“We’ve become victims of our own success,” Woodfin said, estimating he receives two to three calls for therapy dogs per week. “The more people hear about our services, the more requests we get.”

Woodfin cites one example of a recently graduated ranch dog named Simon that “invited” one Austin State Hospital resident to his Divine Canines graduation, which is hosted at the hospital. “[The patient] came out their room and cheered for Simon,” Woodfin said. “He hadn’t been out of his room for weeks before that.”

Divine Canines also serves children who may have previously had a pet before being relocated to SafePlace, which hosts programs that protect victims of sexual and domestic violence. 

“A lot of times those kids are craving that animal attention,” Pizinger said.

But more dog handler teams are needed to meet increasing demand. In exchange, Divine Canines has been rewarding volunteers with trading cards—similar to baseball cards—with pictures and stats of each dog.

“This organization has been truly fortunate to have never strayed from its mission,” Woodfin said. “This board has remained focused on providing our service to people in need, and we’ve never really strayed from that.”

INDIEGOGO campaign for 'fit watch' collar for dogs

from: INDIEGOGO 

The activity collar

We focus on design and usability of both: the collar and mobile application. Our service fits both companion dogs and highly active sport dogs. Both appreciate the iconic design and easy usability of the collar. The collar is water and dust proof, and naturally, easy to keep clean. Beagard activity collar runs for months with one coin battery, so you can forget the daily/weekly charging of the activity meter.

Dog hotel near airport?

from: austinmonitor.com

“Inside Sweet Willie Dog Bark Park” by Graystock — Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Elizabeth Pagano

 

Committee takes on dog hotels, airport planning

Last week, the City Council Planning Committee took a look at pet motels and whether they belong in the Airport Overlay.

As a body, the committee has opted to avoid specific zoning recommendations, so it took a big-picture look at two proposals for pet hotels that will soon be before the full Council.

The Planning and Zoning Department’s Jerry Rusthoven explained that the Scott Airport Parking property, which is located at 2426 Cardinal Loop, is on land the city purchased through federal airport mitigation funds. In exchange for those funds, the city is required to develop the property for an airport use. In 2013, Council moved forward with a public/private partnership for a pet motel that would also offer valet parking and shuttle services.

The other property concerns a proposal for the Stay and Play Ranch, which is located at 2363 SH 71. Rusthoven said that, though it is similar in concept, the project is private and has nothing to do formally with the city.

Council Member Delia Garza pulled the items for discussion, saying the Scott Airport Parking project had “set off some alarms” for her because of the city’s involvement. The second pet hotel, she said, was not as much of an issue as a coincidence.

Garza explained that she had pulled both items in an attempt to talk about planning and the importance of surroundings near the airport. In this case, the surrounding area includes Del Valle, which she pointed out the city has neglected in the past. Saying that she has heard from the residents of Del Valle, Garza sought answers about whose input was included when the plan for the area was established.

“I feel like they thought of this plan just thinking about the airport, and not thinking about the surrounding areas,” said Garza. “What I thought was, you have this part of town which has long felt neglected, and then when (residents) are driving into town to go to their jobs, they are passing a pet hotel and they can’t even get an HEB out there. They have to drive 20 miles.”

Committee members also looked at whether the pet motels were an appropriate use in the overlay. The airport overlay was created to mitigate noise pollution and help ensure that the city does not replace the buildings it removed with federal money with things similar to what was originally there.

Rusthoven noted that there are some human uses allowed in the overlay, like the Hilton Hotel, for example. The reasoning, he said, was that it was OK for people to spend a limited amount of time in the area but not live there, much like dogs in a kennel.

Council Member Sheri Gallo took a more personal approach to the proposal, noting the convenience of being able to do things while out of town.

“As busy as everyone gets now, the opportunity to have everything done when you’re gone … being able to find appropriate places for our pets to stay when we are going in and out of town is good,” said Gallo.

The Scott Parking property is currently seeking a zoning change to Aviation Services zoning, which allows for aviation-related uses. The Stay and Play business is seeking a change to Commercial Services zoning, which would allow the kennel use.

- See more at: http://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/04/committee-takes-dog-hotels-airport-planning/#sthash.rxgc7not.dpuf

2-morrow! 2-morrow! 17th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk

from:servicedogs.org

17th Annual Mighty Texas Dog 

Walk Rules & Logistics 2015

Sat., April 4, 2015, 9:00 AM – Auditorium Shores

Theme

Who’s Your Hero?
Show everyone who inspires you!  Superman, mom & dad, our military, firefighters, your kiddos, your best pal, your wonderful dog – let us know through costumes, tribute T-shirts, signage, makeup – whatever inspires you!

Teams!

Grand Prize – a year’s supply of dog food to the team that raises the most donations!  Sponsored by Leader of the Pack Beyond All Natural Dog Food by Purina.

Trophies awarded to:

Team Raising the Most Donations
Biggest Team (counted by dogs)
Best Team T-shirt

Parking

1) Free Parking (1,100 spaces) at TXDOT parking lots: 118 and 150 E. Riverside.  Entrances are just east of Congress on the North side of the road.
2) Paid parking available at the Long Center directly across the street from Auditorium Shores.
3) Bike racks available in the park for bicycle parking. (Not sure how you can bring a bike and a dog, but Austin Parks & Rec requires we include this. Safety first, tho’, so this may not apply here.)

Schedule

7:00 AM    Registration tent opens
9:00 AM     Walk begins

Registration & Event T-Shirts

1. One fee per dog.
2. No charge for extra people.
3. One T-shirt per entry fee.
4. You can buy extra T-shirts online, at Packet Pick-Up or on site.  They go fast!  Buy extras early to make sure you get your size!

Rules and Logistics:

1. Walk route: 1.0 miles along Riverside to Lamar and back
2. Walk starts at the scaffolding with the Sponsor logos on it
3. Multiple water stops for dogs and people along the way
4. You must keep your dog on leash at all times.
5. YOU MAY ONLY WALK 1 DOG.  Walkers are NOT allowed to walk 2 or more dogs.
6. Poop bags – You will receive a poop bag with your t-shirt and gifts. More poop bags at water stops. Please disposed of used poop bags in trash bins along the route and in the park.
7. Walkers will be asked to leave if their dogs display aggressive behavior.
8. Strollers ARE allowed! Put your baby in. Put your dog in.  Be happy, safe & comfy!
9. No shock collars.
10. No dogs pulling carts.
11. No refunds.
12. Rain or shine.

Questions:

(512) 858-1495  sheri@servicedogs.org

Parking:

1. Palmer Events Center  $7.
2. Free TXDOT lot at Riverside Dr. and Congress Ave.  Entrance located on Riverside Dr.
3. Additional Paid parking:
   • 3rd Street & Guadalupe  in the surface parking lot.
   • One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd.)
4. Downtown offers metered parking.

Route Map

Coming Soon!

Start

The route will start on Riverside on the south side of Auditorium Shores, go west, 

turn around at Lamar and return on the opposite side of the street to the Start/Finish scaffolding.

Finish

Don’t forget to get your gold dog tag at the finish line!

Water Stops

There will be several water stops along the course.  Water for people and dogs will also be 

available inside the Palmer Events Center. Their food court also will be open.

Waste

You will get a waste bag at packet pick up and extras at the water stops. There will be trash bins 

for your waste bags. Please pick up after your dog!

ASPCA Reunites Pet Parent with Missing Cats Following East Village Explosion and Fire

from: aspca.org

The ASPCA has helped to reunite two formerly missing cats with their guardian following a large explosion and fire in New York City’s East Village neighborhood last week. The Office of Emergency Management granted ASPCA responders access to a residential building where they searched for and located the cats.

The two cats belong to East Village resident Kathleen Blomberg, who has been displaced and is staying with a friend. The ASPCA will provide transportation and medical exams at the ASPCA Animal Hospital for Kathleen’s cats, Kitty Cordelia and Sebastian, and we have also offered free boarding for her cats as she secures new housing.

 ASPCA responders continue to search for cats reported missing in the affected area and hope to reunite them with their guardians soon. 

At the request of the Office of Emergency Management, the ASPCA is providing coordination of animal-related issues at the city’s emergency reception center for pet owners in the area surrounding the site of Thursday’s explosion and fire in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. Residents in the evacuation area who need to access their pets should speak to a police officer for more information.

The damage and resulting needs of residents affected by the explosion and fire are still being assessed.

Austin Dog Alliance fundraiser April 18 at Travaasa Experiential Spa

from: austindogalliance.org

We invite you to a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and drinks at our first annual Country Barn Dinner Dance Fundraiser: Hoedown For The Hounds. Generously hosted by Travaasa Experiential Spa in Austin, this event is going to be a night to remember. Most importantly, it will help fund our on-going programs for the community: Hounds For Heroes, S+CORE! Job Skills Training and Pet Therapy Outreach.

Saturday, April 18th 2015 

6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Travaasa Austin Resort

13500 FM 2769, Austin, TX 78726

Buy Tickets

Single tickets are $50 each. Two adult beverages included with each dinner ticket.

The event will also feature an auction for a Big Green Egg, a weekend trip to Napa that includes airfare, wine tasting and hotel and a week at a Lake Austin beach house that sleeps 9 and has a private dock.  

Ever so sweet 16th annual Jo's Pet Parade and costume contest

from: sanjosehotel.com

The Doggie Drag Show of the Year is gearing up for year 16!

The dogs in drag are getting glam to celebrate their sweet 16!  Jo’s Coffee has announced its 16th annual Pet Parade and costume contest, Austin’s much beloved celebration of family, festivities and favorite four-legged friends, which will be held on Saturday, April 4.  The parade will benefit Austin Pets Alive and pay tribute to animal lover Lyndon Lambert.  

• When & Where: The parade will kick-off at 12pm on Saturday, April 4th at Hudson’s Meat Market (1800 S. Congress) and end at Jo’s Coffee on 1300 South Congress.
• What: Bring your pet in costume – the crazier the better!  We will parade down South Congress with a marching band.  The judging will begin promptly after the parade in the Jo’s lot and top awards for the best-dressed pets include a night at the Hotel San Jose, Jo’s Coffee gift cards, trophies, and more!
• How: Pets can be pre-registered through Friday, April 3 at the registration link here.  The registration fee is $10.  The costume contest is limited to 30 participants, so hurry up and register!
• What Else: There will be live music, an Easter bunny, a bouncy house, cotton candy, an Austin Pets Alive! dog adoption center and info booth, local pet-friendly vendors, and concessions available from Jo’s.  Live music will be from the Andrew Nafziger Trio and the parade will be led by the Dead Music Capital Band.  No pets are required to attend the parade – spectators always welcome!

ABOUT JO’S: The original Jo's Hot Coffee Good Food sits on the corner of James and South Congress, in the heart of the most vibrant section of South Austin. This bustling outdoor neighborhood coffee shack shares a parking lot with the iconic Hotel San Jose and provides homemade baked goods, sandwiches and a wide variety of coffee drinks both hot and iced. Jo’s is the perfect place to enjoy a drink after a day of shopping and a prime people-watching spot for visitors and locals alike. Dogs are always welcome. For more information, visit www.joscoffee.com/congress or call 512.444.3800. 

ABOUT AUSTIN PET’S ALIVE!: 

Austin Pets Alive! is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and providing the resources, education and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals. Thanks in large part to the hard work of APA!, Austin has become the largest no-kill city in the country. www.austinpetsalive.org