Austin Pets Alive! is one of the most incredible rescues in America. The organization was established in 2008 and since then has helped over 90,000 animals. Austin Pets Alive! has also enabled the city of Austin, Texas to “have a save-rate of 97%.”

During a January 2017 interview with Mercola Healthy Pets, Monica Frenden-Tarant, the Director of Feline Lifesaving at American Pets Alive!, explained how the organization has managed to help so many cats and dogs in a relatively short time. She shared that volunteers demand “a euthanasia list from the city shelter every day” to determine which animals are specifically “at risk.” She revealed cats who have ringworm are often put down even though it is not a major health risk. Austin Pets Alive! decided the best way to stop the euthanasia of “ringworm cats and kittens” was to establish a “ringworm adoption center and and ringworm program.”

“We treat the cats, they come to our facility, we treat them, they get adopted,” explained Frenden-Tarant.

She then noted that the organization has a similar program for puppies who have Canine parvovirus, which can be highly contagious in shelters. Unfortunately, this means that “parvo puppies” are also put down at a high rate. 

“We created a Parvo ICU ward where we can treat Parvo puppies and do it affordably then they’re cured and they get adopted,” shared the Director of Feline Lifesaving. 

She also noted that the organization has a program specifically to train dogs who have behavioral issues, which have made it difficult for them to be adopted. 

“The last percentage of dogs to be saved at any shelter are large dogs with behavior problems and so we had to create a very vigorous program to train those dogs get them ready for good homes, get them Canine Good Citizen certified, prepare them for life in the community and to be good stewards of the community,” explained Frenden-Tarant.

Austin Pets Alive! also has 100 or so dedicated volunteers who make the program possible. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the organization, you can apply here. If you are willing and able, you can also foster or adopt a furry friend from the program.