Animal shelter seeks supplies

An Austin-based nonprofit is seeking the public’s assistance in suppling San Benito’s kennel.

Luis Sanchez, Director of Public Relations and Communications of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is hoping San Benito can step-up in support of the local kennel. “If people can’t open their homes to a pet, they can help keep them safe by donating supplies to help Texas shelters during extreme winter weather events,” he communicated in an email message earlier this week.

A press release disseminated by APA! stressed that the nonprofit is currently in need of supplies to help with operations and cold weather shelter preparations. Parties interested in assisting can either make a monetary gift or donate any of the following supplies: portable charging stations, 50’ extension cords, work light extension cords, snuggie discs or heating pads, hand warmers, headlamps, and straw.

Sanchez said the public can also help other Texas outdoor shelters in need, especially those in their current vicinity.

“A number of shelters also need help so we are extending their asks,” he said, adding that donations can be mailed to pounds, shipped directly to community kennels or made in person.

The San Benito kennel is located at 789 Garrison Drive, San Benito. Specific Items needed in San Benito include blankets, heat lamps, vaccines, and dewormer and parvo tests.

“APA!’s transport team is delivering supplies to these shelters across the state over the next few days. Our first supply transport delivered supplies to Calvert, Texas yesterday evening.”

According to APA!, an estimated two million companion animals are killed in shelters across the United States each year.

The purpose of American Pets Alive! (AmPA!), the national educational program of APA!, is to end this urgent crisis and save as many animals as possible from unnecessary deaths. According to APA!’s website.

The organization does this by empowering individuals, communities and organizations with proven lifesaving protocols, knowledge, and the mindset that made Austin the largest No-Kill city in the nation with the highest save-rate among any city of its size, Sanchez said.

“We’re working to transform the entire animal sheltering system to serve as a true safety-net for animals in need (and the people who love them), and to inspire a culture of compassion where every life is valued,” he added.

APA! began when vulnerable, homeless pets truly needed humans the most, Sanchez explained. “When we were first imagined, Austin had a kill-rate of 87%; today we have a save-rate of 97%. Through hardships, we have found inspiration; and through this inspiration, we have saved lives.”

AmPA!’s mission is to urgently save the lives of companion animals from unnecessary deaths in shelters.

AmPA! was established by APA! in response to many inquiries from animal welfare groups asking how Austin managed to become the country’s largest No-Kill city. Since that time, AmPA! has transformed into the national program of APA!, overseeing outreach, education and hands-on support to shelters across the country.

AmPA! was born in 2011, when APA! introduced the first APA! Conference. AmPA! went on to grow it’s educational efforts in 2016 with the piloting of its first Austin-based training program. In 2017, with support of a $4 million grant provided by Maddie’s Fund®, Maddie’s® University became possible. Maddie’s® University now offers over a dozen hands-on apprenticeships.

Today, the support AmPA! offers animal advocates goes beyond this to include traveling experts who performs site visits to shelters and respond to crises in shelters.

AmPA! is a unique, national program focused on spreading the No-Kill movement and increasing lifesaving in shelters across the nation. “While we understand our mission to be long-term, communities need to be empowered with proven solutions to help them take action and institute change now,” Sanchez said.

“AmPA! believes the needless deaths of shelter animals is a crisis that demands immediate attention and resolution – and that we already have the solutions necessary to do that. Animals deserve a legitimate chance at life and innovation in animal shelters is necessary for providing this basic right,” he added.

According to its website, AmPA!, believes in a world in which all shelter animals are valued and given a true chance at life. “We believe our role in this movement is to be an innovative and trusted leader in creating a world where shelters have the tools, resources and knowledge necessary to be safe havens for animals until their families are found,” said Sanchez.

APA! is headquartered at 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX. Its shelter hours are noon – 6 p.m., Mon. – Sun. APAl! can be reached at (512) 961·6519 or by email at pr@austinpetsalive.org.