This Summer we were excited to partner up with volunteer Amy Perkins with the Austin Dog Rescue and local photographer Sara Jordan.The photoshoot took place in Sara’s studio creating a different setting for these fur babies. We were excited to see the result of this combination.
Austin Dog Rescue has no physical shelter so their program is operated from a purely foster base system. They are an all volunteer rescue and have no paid employees. Austin Dog Rescue is a foster home based organization and all of their dogs are housed and cared for by foster caregivers in a home setting. They focus on the dogs that fit in to most homes and save dogs that may have medical issues other rescues are unable to help. Austin Dog Rescue is a key component in helping dogs find their forever homes in Central Texas and we are so glad they exist.
We at Lens and Leash want to thank Austin Dog Rescue, Amy Perkins and Sara Jordan for taking their time to help these wonderful pups find their forever loving homes. We need more people in this world like them helping one pup at a time.
Lens And Leash: What Is Your Shelter/Rescue’s Name And What Year Was It Formed?
Austin Dog Rescue: The Austin Dog Rescue which was formed in 2006. We have 0 employees, 6 board members, 15 volunteers on “staff”, and 25 fosters.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: Where Is Your Rescue Located?
Austin Dog Rescue: Our mailing address is in Manchaca, TX (south of Austin), but our rescue doesn’t have a physical place to visit. All of our dogs are fostered in homes around the Austin area.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: How Many Animals Can You House At A Time?
Austin Dog Rescue: Typical fosters take in one foster at a time. When the shelters are at maximum capacity, we may have 2 or 3 fosters. Puppy fosters will have an entire litter, as well as the mother at their home.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: How Do You Encourage People To Adopt?
Austin Dog Rescue: Local events, social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), monthly newsletters, exterior sites (Petfinder, Adoptapet & AllPaws)
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: Do You Have Any Events Or Projects That You Are Currently Running Or Planning For?
Austin Dog Rescue: Austin Dog Rescue works with local vendors to have 2-3 planned events a month that are small, and usually at a location that draws in animal lovers (pet stores, animal fundraisers, etc). We also have 2-3 larger events a year that are planned by an outside source in which we are invited to participate. Some are online events, while other events are ones which Austin Dog Rescue will attend with dogs that are available to be adopted. We are also planning our year-end reunion with the ever-popular Santa Pictures. The events team plans this annual event sixth months in advance.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: If We Could Help In Any Way Possible, What Would You Ask For?
Austin Dog Rescue: Our biggest push right now is more people, especially fosters. We want to save as many lives in Central Texas as possible, but without fosters, we can’t pull dogs. Volunteers are also always needed to help with transports, events and other administrative functions within ADR. Additionally, monetary donations are always welcomed as well as any donated items from our Amazon wish list. We are always in need of supplies, and here is the link to our Amazon wish list: Austin Dog Rescue’s Amazon Wish List Link
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: What Is The Average Number Of Animals Needing To Be Adopted Each Month?
Austin Dog Rescue: Last year (2017), our rescue adopted out 104 dogs. Since January 1st of this year (2018), we have adopted out 65 dogs.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: What Are The Shelter/Rescue’s Goals For This Year?
Austin Dog Rescue: Our goal is to increase adoptions every year. Adding more fosters will help to pull more adoptable dogs.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: What Is The Best Way For People In Your Community To Help?
Austin Dog Rescue: We are always looking to grow our teams. Our foster team is a great group of people with hearts bigger than Texas! Our group works together to make sure that each dog that comes into our program is learning the most that he or she possibly can. Because of that, our dogs leave to move on to their forever families with the knowledge and skills they need to become awesome forever pets. We are looking for dedicated individuals/families that want to open their homes for temporary housing of homeless dogs. If you can’t foster, we are also always looking for volunteers, people willing to come to events and help with foster dogs, transports (from shelter, from vet, etc). Another way that our community can help is by spreading the word about dogs in our care. The more eyes that see our dogs, the greater the odds that these sweet fur babies will be adopted.
Photographed by Sara Jordan Photography
Lens And Leash: What Is The Best Way To Help Reduce The Number Of Euthanizations Per Year Besides Spay And Neutering?
Austin Dog Rescue: Although spaying/neutering is the best way to keep euthanasia numbers down, another method is simple education.
- Educate people about the benefits of adopting a dog instead of buying from a pet store or a breeder. Back yard breeders and pet stores will continue to breed dogs to have puppies available as long as the demand is there. These dogs tend to be sick, or have genetic health problems that will be costly later in life.
- Educate people about the different types of breeds and what kind of dog for which they are searching. Ex: Your lifestyle and your personality typically matches better with a Hound, a Lab, a working dog or a small dog, etc. Most tend to only focus on the color/physical appearance of the dog, and not know what type of dog they are getting behavior-wise.
- Educate about the importance of annual vet visits, spaying/neutering your animal, monthly heart worm preventative, flea/tick preventative and more. Several dogs are surrendered every year because the family can’t afford the medical needs which are incurred due to neglect. Heart worms can mean a large vet bill, and most can’t afford this, so they surrender the animal to the shelter. Parvo is rampant, and very expensive to treat. When dogs are not vaccinated, they can end up with this, and most can’t afford the treatment.
- Educate people on training their dog(s). Several dogs are returned to the shelters each year because of a lack of training. Basic training from day one helps prevent expensive training later on. Consistency is key.
