As a cold snap approaches Central Texas, Austin Pets Alive! is calling on locals to step up and provide temporary shelter for over 200 dogs and 30 barn cats at risk from the plunging temperatures. The shelter needs emergency fosters to house these animals from Jan. 14 to at least Jan. 18, in a push to protect them from the forecasted freeze.
The urgency is especially pronounced as Austin Pets Alive!'s facility shows its age, being over 70 years old and only marginally equipped to shield the animals from severe cold. Stephanie Bilbro, Director of Operations at Austin Pets Alive!, explained that while the facility has tarps and heaters, it is still not as warm as a home environment. "Our facility is 70 years old and while we are waiting to put plans together to rebuild, we want to make sure we keep our dogs as comfortable as possible," Bilbro told KXAN.
In the meantime, a significant response has come from the community, with MySA reporting over 250 Austinites have expressed an interest in becoming emergency fosters. Still, challenges remain as preferences for smaller or special-needs dogs persist, leaving a gap for larger breeds in need of fostering. "Our main thing is being flexible with people’s homes and environments so we can find a fit for them," Luis Sanchez, APA’s director of public relations, told MySA.
While money is being raised to improve the shelter situation, with about $4,700 in donations reported by MySA, the shelter emphasized that all help counts and equipment such as heating pads and extension cords are also in demand. Despite the difficulties, the shelter remains prepared to handle the weather, with resources to keep animals warm even if all cannot be placed. "If we were to have, say 50 or 100 animals in the shelter, we could consolidate and provide better care for them," Sanchez stated.
The community's commitment to support Austin Pets Alive! has been a throughline in this call-to-action as the National Weather Service anticipates temperatures to dip as low as 17 degrees early next week.
