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shelter solution
APA! transportation hub already saving animals
Elgin’s new animal hub is not quite a shelter, but stands as a one-of-a-kind center situated to save thousands of animal lives in its first year.
Austin Pets Alive! opened up its Elgin Transportation Hub just one month ago, a layover destination for cats and dogs that moves pets from shelters across Texas to homes as far as New England.
“We’re like travel agents, like we’re brokers. We handle all the movement, all the coordinating, how many spots are available on the van, who’s going where, pick up times,” Senior Director of Care Operations Clare Callison said. “They’re safe when they’re here. We do all their vetting, we coordinate the logistics.”
The location is unique in its approach to animal aid, with few other models like it in the nation, according to the director. The hub acts as a liaison for its 50-plus partners, relieving the pressure from under-resourced shelters across the state that would otherwise be forced to euthanize.
Texas is one of the worst states when it comes to deaths in animal shelters, sadly, according to Callison. Many are simple sheds with limited space and resources, so the only options are to euthanize or have a rescue take on some of the animals.
This “monumental” overflow of strays is due to a lack of spay and neuter resources, access to lowcost care and a year-round breeding season, according to Callison. Mixes and purebreds alike quickly fill up available space.
The closest vet to many shelters in west Texas is over an hour away.
“It’s very common, even in the dead of winter, to get a box of puppies. It’s not the same in other states where they have better control over population issues,” Callison said. “We saw a need. I think it’s just an innovative solution to this problem. They have a different problem than we do, an opposite problem. They have more adoption and foster demands than they have available pets, and we have more pets than we have adopters ready. It’s a supply and demand thing.” Utilizing the hub’s 45 dog kennels and housing for over 30 cats, the transport program is estimated to save around 3,000 pet lives this year.
Animals already have a departure date and location set when they come in, staying an average of five days before they are flown out to the likes of Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.
“A lot of these dogs are well mannered and behaved, medically great, they’re just out of time and space,” Callison said. “Quite honestly, there’s not many rescues in Texas right now that are positioned like APA, with that mission and desire to help reach those really vulnerable shelters. It’s always been in our DNA and our drive to figure out the solution to end that Texas shelter killing problem.”
The hub’s property is expansive with room to grow. Employees hope to soon have enough kennels to respond to shelters faster and house animals while still searching for a home.
However, Callison doesn’t want to become just another shelter in need.
“We don’t want to just recreate the shelter system. We have a lot of innovative ways to help people and keep pets out of this sort of structure,” she said.
A “massive undertaking,” the APA team is excited to be a part of Elgin’s community, looking forward to getting involved with events and fundraisers.
The hub is always looking for more volunteers at the 929 Old McDade Road campus, playing and caring for the rotating cast of furry friends.
More information is available at https://www. austinpetsalive.org.
