The holiday season has brought more than just gifts and cheer, as Austin animal shelters encourage locals to consider adopting a pet. In a bid to find animals in their forever homes, shelters like Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter are offering advice and programs to assist potential pet owners.
APA!'s dog placement manager, Allison Swearingen, emphasizes the responsibility that comes with adopting a pet during the holidays. In a statement obtained by CBS Austin, she said, "We do a lot of prep work trying to get all of that arranged so that everybody feels as prepared as possible." She noted the importance of giving new pets space and transitioning them slowly into their new homes, advising adopters to avoid taking them to crowded places like Christmas dinners straight away.
For those unsure about committing to full adoption, both APA! and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter offer trial options such as sleepovers and foster programs. According to Swearingen, APA! has seen a mixed bag in terms of pets being returned after the holidays, highlighting the shelter's effort in preparing adopters. Swearingen also pointed out that APA! has programs in place to provide post-adoption support, including a dog behavior follow-up team, as mentioned in the KVUE interview.
April Peiffer, community programs coordinator at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, also emphasized the need for adopters to have thorough discussions with shelter staff to ensure a good match between pet and owner. She told KVUE that the shelter has introduced a Fostering Incentive Program that rewards fosters with a gift card for a three-week commitment.
The holiday season still offers a chance for adoption at reduced fees. The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has a special $2 adoption fee through the end of December, as Peiffer reported. While APA! has varying adoption fees depending on the age and type of pet, they also waive fees for senior dogs. For individuals willing to open their homes to a four-legged friend, it seems the perfect opportunity to do so is now, as the season of giving extends its reach beyond human kin.
