Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), a leading no-kill animal shelter in Austin, Texas, has broadened its operations with the launch of a new transport hub in Elgin, Texas. This strategic expansion, announced in late March, marks a significant step forward in APA!’s mission to save animals across South and Central Texas and beyond. The new Elgin location officially opened on Monday, establishing itself as a vital link in APA!’s renowned transport program.
This transport program is the heart of APA!’s efforts to relocate animals from overcrowded shelters, where euthanasia rates are unfortunately high, to no-kill shelters in northern states where they have a greater chance of finding loving homes. The Elgin hub is poised to significantly amplify this lifesaving work, welcoming its first transport of 30 to 40 dogs on its opening day.
Fueled by a generous $3.85 million grant from the Best Friends Animal Society, the Elgin transport hub is projected to rescue an additional 8,000 dogs and cats over the next three years. This initiative is a cornerstone of “Yes Alive!”, APA!’s ambitious four-phase expansion plan aimed at revolutionizing animal sheltering and care. The organization is currently seeking to raise approximately $44 million to fully realize this vision.
As a non-profit organization that operates without city funding, Austin Pets Alive! relies heavily on the generosity of private donors, organizations like Best Friends Animal Society, and the unwavering support of the Austin community. This community support is crucial to APA!’s continued success and expansion.
Lindsey Klem, a dedicated member of APA!’s Young Professionals Board and a pre-veterinary student, expresses her enthusiasm for the expansion. “They never turn away any animal and are willing to do whatever it takes to save that animal’s life,” she stated, highlighting APA!’s commitment to even the most vulnerable animals. Klem, a frequent volunteer and foster parent at the Town Lake facility, has witnessed firsthand APA!’s dedication to rehabilitation and second chances.
Germana de Falco, co-chair of APA!’s board of directors and a long-time volunteer since 2009, emphasizes the broader impact of APA!’s work. “The part that really inspires me is how we teach other rescues and shelters to do what we do,” de Falco explained. “I always look at it as what I’m donating to doesn’t just help no-kill in Austin, but helps to move the entire movement of no-kill.” This commitment to sharing their no-kill model underscores APA!’s influence on animal welfare beyond Austin, TX.
The expansion is a direct response to a significant 20% increase in animal intake post-COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the increasing limitations of the existing Town Lake Animal Shelter. The final phase of the “Yes Alive!” plan includes a comprehensive renovation of the Town Lake facility to better serve the growing needs of the animals and the community.
According to representatives like Sanchez, while many envision a larger, kennel-filled shelter, Austin Pets Alive! is pioneering a more foster-centric model. “Really, this new expansion is the ability for us to rethink and reimagine what a shelter can look like,” Sanchez noted. “It looks like a way that communities can help support the animals in their city and that we can provide a better quality of life for them.” This innovative approach prioritizes community involvement and fostering to provide a more nurturing environment for animals in transition.
In addition to the Elgin transport hub and Town Lake renovation, the “Yes Alive!” plan includes a veterinary clinic hospital in Sunset Valley and a rehabilitation center in East Austin. These facilities will further enhance APA!’s capacity to provide comprehensive care and support to animals in need across the Austin area and beyond. Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, TX, continues to be a beacon of hope for animals, driven by community support and a relentless commitment to its no-kill mission.
