APA is a wonderful organization with more funds , resources, and partners than most non-profit rescues which means they're able to provide their animals with more care and deal with severe medical cases which gives them longer and happier lives. They also have a friendly, diverse, and inclusive community that makes me feel welcome and appreciated when I go there.
I attempted to adopt a cat recently. I’ve adopted several animals from them over the years without issue. Well the last two adoption attempts, one for a dog, and the other for two kittens left me scratching my head. I met the kittens, the foster loved me, and I scheduled the final appointment. Then APA about two weeks later, at the last possible second told me they couldn’t proceed. They gave no explanation and simply referred me to a supervisor which I immediately availed myself of. No response. Whatsoever. They are a great idea with no accountability in place from what o can tell. They have no complaint process, no way to reach the board, therefore no accountability. That is a bad recipe to have in the non profit sector. I will never use them again. I would give zero stars if I could.
This place is an absolute joke. When adopting a pet they have to be spayed or neutered which I was informed my dog was. She went into heat a few months later. Here comes the bad part they contacted me telling me via certified letter that I had to get her spayed or they would report her stolen after I had her for 6 months already. Not only did they traumatize her by doing this and cut her open but the total neglect to notice such a thing from this organization then make me to blame is unacceptable. I care about my dog deeply and the fact that they had the nerve to tell me they would report her stolen has me absolutely outraged I'm definitely supporting different shelters now. APA is no longer a place I want to deal with.
I adopted a dog from Puerto Rico. She was displaced after hurricane Maria. Angela Tomasino has been most helpful in helping us to transition our sweet Molly from a street dog to a loving added family of our - now - three dogs.
My new Family member! His name is Jude. He is 4 years old and is Lukima positive. He is a rescue and I am giving him a home and fresh start in life... And hopefully a long one.
The volunteers and Cat (yes really that's her name... Sooo appropriate) were awesome to work with. Big hugs and congrats from them as I left. Talk about feeling like family... God bless!!!
APA sets a very high standard for how nonprofits should be run.
I'm a current volunteer and have volunteered at this organization for 15+ months. I'm so very thankful and inspired every time I go in to volunteer (or have any contact with this organization) - it still impresses me just how efficient, productive,and professional they are at all aspects of what they do. I've volunteered at various organizations throughout my life and come to unfortunately expect the opposite from nonprofits.
Review from Guidestar
When the current APA! Executive Director took over this organization, she implemented so many important and beneficial programs to move the "No Kill" initiative forward! My husband and I had been members since the organization's inception. This group continues to provide a unique service to the animal population and the adopters. I am proud to have joined the Cat Behavior team - we follow up when adopters have behavioral issues with cats and kittens. So many clients have been helped, thus keeping adopted pets in their forever homes.
Working in the bottle feeding nursery at APA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The team of Vets, volunteers, and staff have saved so many lives, and changed the euthanization rates in Austin dramatically! I would advise anyone searching for an organization to volunteer with to give APA a call.
Had a great experience with Austin Pets Alive! and have them to thank for my incredible black lab/pit mix. They are saving so many lives and finding forever homes everyday!
Austin Pets Alive is on of the best! They even give animals with life-threatening diseases a chance. They are wonderful.
I came from Cincinnati to Austin to attend the 3 day workshop in 2012 that Austin Pets Alive provided to teach how they've managed to save so many animals; turning Austin into a NO KILL community successfully saving more than 90% of all animals coming into the city's open-admission shelter). IT WAS INCREDIBLE! Not only did they share what they've accomplished, but exactly how they've done it - I came home with a huge book full of details and forms that they use. The topics included how they became organized, how they set up a foster network to bottle feed all the under-age kittens that were otherwise being "put down" at the local animal shelter, how they work with the municipal shelter, how they work with the community and the volunteers, what they're doing to deal with treatable issues like ringworm and mange and parvo - without resorting to killing the animals! - - >> I'd highly recommend looking at AUSTIN's track record for anyone wanting to bring the NO KILL concept to their community!!
I thought that I was only going to be working with TLAC who worked in conjunction with APA to help my resume. My college professors recommended volunteerism to help set myself apart from the competition. I was so lucky to have fallen into this opportunity because it not only "helped my resume" but I felt like I got to give back to a cause I believe in and allowed me to get closer to my family because I volunteered with my cousin. I ended up later getting a rescue dog and it changed my life. This organization is a tireless, well-oiled volunteering machine, but needs as much help as it can get. I love APA and TLAC and totally believe in it.
I have volunteered for several organizations and I would say that this organization is the leanest I have ever seen. Yet they step up and take the hard cases, the baby kittens and puppies who have to be bottle fed, the medical cases, the behavior dogs. If I haven't seen it with my own my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that an organization could save that many lives, on the budget they have. Every dollar the organization gets, it spends well and focuses on its core mission, saving as many pets as possible.
I have volunteered for many organizations throughout my adult life. I expect to see a consistent use of donated funds for their intended purpose. This organization does a good job with that. I would not spend my valuable personal time, usually @ 5 hours per week, otherwise. They do a great job providing care for the animals and getting homes for the animals as soon as possible. In only two years of existence, this organization has come a long way. According to their 2008 990, the brand new organization saved over 700 animals from being destroyed. I have been informed that this number will be closer to 5000 in 2010. The fact that none of the officers, directors, or key employees are paid indicates that this is truly a labor of love. I highly recommend this organization.