Finding a quality apartment to rent in Austin (or any city) can be challenging when you have a chow chow, doberman, “pit bull”, rottweiler, german shepherd, or any other breed banned by many complexes.

As a longtime volunteer at Austin Animal Center, I often hear customers say they would like to adopt one of our many “pit bull” type dogs, but can’t because of landlord breed restrictions. Letting adopters know about places they can live with any breed is essential to finding families for our long-stay shelter pups.

Since July 2016, I’ve lived with my Staffordshire Terrier mix, Felix, at Tramor at the Arboretum. I highly recommend the complex for those looking to rent with their dog of any breed. Tramor did not ask me to write this review, but I’m  thankful for their informed pet policy, and hope other apartment companies follow their lead.

The complex has a small dog park where pups of all breeds and sizes play peacefully. It’s encouraging to see so many responsible guardians of “power breeds” caring for their well-behaved dogs, many of which were adopted from a shelter. Living here feels like a being part of a supportive, dog-loving community.

Tramor has properties throughout Austin, and all of them allow well-behaved dogs of any type. They seem to understand that the deed not the breed should be the focus. Tramor at the Arboretum has some of the best apartments reviews I’ve seen on Yelp or apartmentratings.com, so clearly I’m one of many who has had a great experience.

To find other places in Austin rent with your dog of any breed, check out Love-A-Bull’s housing resource here.

It’s raining kittens at Austin Animal Center, and YOU are needed to foster these babies. Baby cats can’t be spayed/neutered until they are two months old, and the shelter won’t adopt out these cuties until they aren’t intact, so fosters are needed to house them until they are old enough for spay/neuter. Interested? Click on the image below to learn more!

For two months, I’ve fostered a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit named Rhubarb for the Austin Animal Center. He was only two months old when he was brought to the shelter, and needed a foster until he could be neutered at four months. I have extensive experience with horses, dogs, and cats, so thought that caring for a rabbit couldn’t be too difficult.

I was wrong.

Because they are so cute, I assumed rabbits would be cuddly creatures. However, Rhubarb did not like being held, which I learned is because (unlike dogs and cats) rabbits are prey animals, and being held makes them feel too vulnerable.

Because they seem placid, I assumed rabbits wouldn’t be destructive. Then Rhubarb rapidly chewed through three of my cables, which weren’t cheap to replace. Perhaps this is why so many bunnies end up spending most of their time bored in hutches rather than getting the enrichment they need to thrive.

Because they are small, I assumed rabbits are weak. Then I experienced the surprising strength of Rhubarb’s back legs as he tried to jump out of my arms – an event I didn’t let happen because of  how easily a rabbit can break his spine.

Yikes. No wonder it’s estimated that 80 percent of rabbits obtained as Easter Bunny presents are relinquished to shelters. It seems that too many of us are distracted by the wiggle-nosed, plush-toy appearance of rabbits before doing research on what it takes to successfully care for them.

All these topics and more were covered in Rhubarb’s Pet of the Week spot on Fox News. Outfitted in a harness to ensure he wouldn’t break free and chew through all the wires in the studio, Rhubarb charmed the anchors whom he allowed to hold him during the spot. This dapper little dude is available for adoption: he’s litter box trained, and well-socialized with cats, dogs and supervised toddlers. Contact skylinepetcare@gmail.com if you’d like to meet him.

Teddy is a snuggly goober awaiting adoption at Austin Animal Center. He isn’t the biggest fan of other pups, though, so won’t be a good fit for those hoping to head to the dog park. He is, however, the perfect Netflix Marathon watching buddy as he LOVES couch cuddling. This guy made his TV debut on Fox News this morning and was a huge ham! See his spot here.

Despite the progress made to promote spay/neuter, there are still some fertile felines creating kittens each spring. Here’s a handy infographic detailing what to do if you come across stray-seeming cats of any age.

Herbie is a lovebug adopted from Austin Animal Center 13 years ago when he was a wee pup. Sadly, his owner when into hospice, so Herbie finds himself back at the shelter during his Golden Years when he should be lounging happily with his family. But Herbie seems to be taking his misfortune in stride, and has exhibited nothing but perfect behavior at shelter. He’s potty trained, calm, gentle, good with kids, and basically just a push-button dream dog. Don’t let his Canine AARP status deter you from adopting this great guy – it’s the quality of your time together, not the quantity. For more information on the grandeur of older pups, check out Classic Canines.

Watch Herbie being a chill superstar on Fox News this morning by clicking on the image below!

Check out this helpful infographic by Australia’s Greyhounds As Pets, detailing the process (via cute images) of what to consider before adopting a shelter dog, and why you’ll want to do so!

Continue reading “Thinking of Adopting a Dog? Read This First!” →

Toby the chihuahua went on Fox News to let Austinites know that they can adopt a pet FOR FREE from Austin Animal Center this weekend, thanks to the generosity of Zappos. Click on the image below to learn more!

Despite being a potty trained, calm, quiet gal, Mercedes has been overlooked by Austin Animal Center customers for ONE YEAR! Her fan club of shelter volunteers can’t understand how this stunning, mannerly mixed breed hasn’t already found a family. One possible explanation is that Mercedes is a dignified gal, and animal shelter customers often gravitate toward the more emotionally-expressive pups. Regardless, Mercedes will make an amazing companion to the lucky person who gives her a chance. Check out her Fox News Pet of the Week spot by clicking on the image below, and please stop by Austin Animal Center (7201 Levander Loop) to meet this great girl soon!

We’re happy to announce our collaboration with a new organization called Ethics in Animal Care. A one-stop shop to find humane trainers, pet sitters, veterinarians,  groomers, and pet stores, the group aims to streamline the process of doing right by your dog (and cat!) via the professionals you employ on their behalf.

We’ve taken their pledge to “commit to continually educate myself on best practices in the field, to work to ensure my competency as a good steward of the well-being of the animals in my care, and to pursue a relationship that acknowledges the sentience of non-human animals.” Read more about the pledge here.

As veteran animal shelter volunteers, we’ve seen plenty of pets relinquished because of easily-fixable behavioral issues. That’s why we’re particularly excited about the organization’s Pay What You Can Training Initiative for dogs. Its mission is to “to help ensure training and behavior support services are accessible to all those in our community who need them. This is a limited, need-based service solely for those who cannot afford professional rates.”

Ethics in Animal Care is another example of how happy we are to be a part of Austin’s animal-loving community, and we’re excited to see all the good they will do!