CRITICAL NOTICE!!! Austin, Texas, until further notice, the loose dogs you see on the streets, in parks, in your neighborhood, or on the greenbelt might/will need your help with food and water and possibly shelter if you don’t find their homes. These dogs are fending for themselves now and need our entire community’s help!
HERE IS WHY:
Notice from Austin Animal Center
Beginning September 13, intake at Austin Animal Center is restricted to emergencies only due to critical capacity.
Emergencies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and proof of the situation may be requested. Examples of emergencies that may be accepted include, but are not limited to:
Injured animals
Owner being evicted
Owner being hospitalized or incarcerated
Bite incidents
Please be kind to the employees and volunteers that work at our shelter. They are doing everything they can with what they have. You can also volunteer your time by walking dogs or washing towels, etc. Get more info here: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/volunteer-animal-center
DO YOU WANT TO HELP A STREET DOG?
Once you have seen a dog that you want to help, there are several steps that you will want to execute.
- Start feeding the dog and file a loose dog report online to 311. http://311.austintexas.gov/reports/new?service_id=5579f17347199e0be40000a8
- Set up a Feeding Station. The goal is to keep the dog in the area by supplying food and water. Please email me at packteam4@att.net for more detailed directions on creating a Comfort/Feeding Station.
- Talk with neighbors around the feeding area to let them know you are planning a humane animal capture in the future and need their corporation. Don’t forget businesses as well as residences. Please give them your contact information so they can let you know when and where they see the dog. Explain that controlling the food source and having a schedule is key to catching the dog in the future. Reassure them that you are feeding the dog, so they don’t worry. Game cameras are a reliable way to get information on the dog. If anyone you talk with is unfriendly or unsupported of your plan, be pleasant anyway. They may come around when they see you are acting in the dog’s best interest. You may also need access to their property so that it may be helpful to position your plan as a benefit to the neighborhood.
- Hang a found poster, and post on social media to search for the owner. Do NOT give out the exact location until you have proof of ownership.
- Depending on the situation, find out if anyone knows about the dog and what they know. You will want to make allies with other people who have seen the dog. Ask everyone you see if they have seen the dog before. If they have, ask if they have tried catching the dog or if the dog will approach them.
- Find a foster home, a forever home, or a no-kill organization that will take the dog after the capture. For the dog’s safety, please do not list the exact address of its location.
- Develop a plan for the dog once it is caught. Will you be taking the dog to the vet? To a friend’s house? Your house? Have a backup plan (or two) if things don’t go perfectly. For example, if you plan to take the dog to the vet but catch the dog late in the day or on the weekend, make sure there is a safe, temporary place for the dog to stay.
- Find a rescue group. Rescue groups get a lot of requests to take dogs into their programs. If you’re willing to foster and/or help with vet expenses, that will increase the odds of a rescue group saying “yes.” Of course, this will take effort on your part, but it will be worth it knowing you helped save a life!
Thank you for caring for these lost pets. PackTeam 4 – Street Dog Rescues (packteam4.org)
For more information, go to: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/lost-found-pet
The Reunification Guide posted on the AAC site states that you can call 311 for supplies such as food and crates. I’m unsure if this will hold up when you call, but you can try. Ask friends and family to help in your endeavors by donating food and supplies.
