https://www.sanantoniopetsalive.org/

http://www.sanantoniopetsalive.org/

San Antonio Pets Alive! saves dogs that are set to be euthanized. Dogs that have been overlooked and who are out of time. They take in the old, the neglected and the sick. They take the black dogs and the pit bulls. They take on the challenges, the ones no one else wants.

SAPA! is making a HUGE different in my city--a city that once had dead dogs all over the streets, all over the highway. SAPA! is helping San Antonio become a humane city where dogs aren't being euthanized in mass amounts on a daily basis simply because there isn't room. They are changing the way the community sees these dogs, not as animals, but as loving pets who are part of the family.

Our city's euthanasia rates would be incredibly high if it wasn't for this organization, and we are lucky to have these dedicated individuals--staff, vets and fosters--who are truly making a difference in our city. It's a change that's visible to the citizens of San Antonio, and I thank them for their tireless dedication.

It's not an easy job to see sick, neglected dogs on a daily basis nor is it easy when your passion to save them also results in the loss of some, totally out of your control. But they keep going, pleaing and sharing until they have exhausted all options. They do everything they can, for every dog they can help.

We still have a way to go but because of SAPA!, we are almost there.

Knowing that there is always a dog—many dogs, in fact—in imminent danger of euthanasia is what keeps me giving. I always loved dogs, and used to foster dogs with a rescue group when I lived in Austin, TX. But I didn't feel much urgency to help living in a no-kill city. However, when I moved to San Antonio in May 2013, I quickly learned my new city had a major pet overpopulation problem and a shelter that had to kill due to the sheer number of abandoned animals. I accidentally ended up in a low-income area, and my new neighborhood had many unfixed pets roaming around, plus some pets being abused. One small dog down the street was tied to a stake in the front yard on a short leash, and was there 24/7. His only shelter was a broken file cabinet the owners used as a makeshift doghouse, and after a major storm, it was in shambles. They appeared very low-income and weren't willing to fix the problem. I decided to take action and posted an ad on Craigslist seeking someone willing to give a free doghouse to this neglected dog. A kind woman offered to give me her doghouse. We met up and she not only gave me a doghouse, but a big bag of food and a shopping bag full of toys, blankets, and goodies for the dog--plus a gift card to a pet store, all for this family. She was so generous and giving to this family and dog she'd never even met. I told her I was having a hard time seeing how many strays were in San Antonio and how many animals were abused and neglected, and she educated me about how we were a kill city, but told me about organizations like San Antonio Pets Alive that making a huge difference in how many pets were euthanized. She encouraged me to get involved, so I went home and signed up. I didn't know how much I'd fall in love with the organization and get very involved. I fostered a dog with them that I ended up bonding with immediately, and we adopted him, and he now lives in my lap all day, every day (I work from home). I also write thank you notes to their donors, visit the shelter to play with dogs and help people meet their new potential family members, and assist with adoption events. I've also personally fundraised almost $500 for them from friends and family, and sometimes I make dog toys for the animals there. SAPA has made incredible progress in bringing down the kill rate significantly in San Antonio. Seeing how much they value each and every life and watching how hard they work to save every dog possible from the city shelter has inspired me to help them in every way I can. My sweet dog Ziggy, who I adopted through SAPA from the city's death row, is my constant reminder of how important their work is and how each one of us can make a difference. I am forever thankful I met that generous stranger who encouraged me to get involved with SAPA.