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Eclipse Solar Marty Sarabi Archie Fiona Cheddar
Record Low Adoptions: Fosters Wanted
In previous newsletters, we have touched on the changes in the shelter industry in a post-COVID world. Along with other area shelters, we’ve experienced a significant drop in adoption applications, leading to lower adoption rates overall. The decline in applications and adoptions this month is unlike anything we've seen before.
Based on data from Shelter Animals Count, the average stay for a large shelter dog available for adoption has doubled since 2019. Similar to other area shelters, we have seen a significant increase in the length of time our available, healthy dogs are staying in our shelter. Central Texas shelters such Austin Pets Alive, Highland Lakes Humane Society, Austin Animal Center and more have been taking radical actions to limit euthanization due to overpopulation, including free adoptions, discounts, closing intakes, limiting partner shelters etc.
Issues such as housing concerns, lack of pet-friendly housing, and the rising cost of living continue to drive owner surrenders to overcrowded public shelters or outright abandonment. We are exploring ways to address these through our foster program that would allow people to retain their dogs or take one of our adult dogs with our support for veterinary care, food and medication.
We are also making some changes to our adoption process and exploring innovative ways to improve our dogs' chances of finding forever homes. As an example, we have lifted the “puppy rule” for Sarabi’s litter, no longer requiring adopting households to have another dog. We’re exploring alternative transport options to areas with higher adoption rates and enhancing our website for improved user experience, to ensure more dogs are seen by potential adopters. We will continue to list our dogs on popular adoption platforms like Petfinder, Adopt-a-Pet, and Rescue Me.
Even if you don't have the means to adopt, you can bring a loving companion in your home. Help our rescue create more valuable space for another abandoned dog by joining our foster program at no cost to you. Learn more about our foster program by clicking here.
Your ongoing support during this time is deeply appreciated. Thank you for being a part of our mission and caring for needy canines in need of health, home, unconditional love and a better future.
Diamond Feature: Joy
Her name fits her perfectly—Joy is all sweetness and no spice. Gentle and kind-hearted, she wouldn't hurt a fly. Found as a stray with a severe flea infestation, Joy suffered from dermatitis, causing inflammation and rashes on her hips and hind legs. She's now receiving medicated baths, anti-allergy medication, and antibiotics through our Diamonds in the Ruff program. Joy has been an angel throughout her treatment and will recover very soon!
Diamond Update: Farley
Farley's healing journey continues! Rescued from severe neglect, he’s been battling demodex mange, a parasitic skin condition. Thanks to medicated baths and dietary additions, his coat and skin are improving. A recent vet visit revealed most of his growths are harmless, though one near his tail might be a cyst. Treatment for this will wait until Farley is healthier. We’re grateful for your support as this handsome Diamond nears full recovery. Farley remains a snuggler and will be the perfect cuddle buddy for a homebody out there. Until then, we'll be helping him until he shines his brightest!
Click here to learn more
about the Diamonds in the Ruff program!
July 2024 Adoptions
Adoption Count: 3
Who: Ellie, Pumbaa, Logan
Welcome New Volunteers
April Stephens
Volunteer Update
What a fun month July was. Now onto August! We should have peaked for the "summer" months and are now headed for fall. Well, maybe no quite the cooler temps yet, but they are coming.
We had a great turnout for our first adoption event at the Cadillac Ranch. What fun that place is! Timon, Cheddar, Eclipse, Marty and Rafiki were all exceptional and well behaved. Timon even got picked up by the band leader and sat on his lap for a whole set! If you haven't had a chance to look at the video, please have a look. The event was well received by staff and volunteers so we are going to repeat it the last Saturday of August. If you don't want to handle dogs you can still help by joining the crowd inside for dancing and mingling all while promoting HLCR.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, August 10th - Tomlinson's in Lakeway
Thursday, August 22nd - Arbor House Care Home in Horseshoe Bay
Friday, August 24th - PetSmart in Bee Marble Falls
Saturday, September 21st - Peace in the Park (Johnson) in Marble Falls
Coming in October:
Boos & Brews at Boat Town in Kingsland
Boston Town on October 19th
ALSO in October on the 24th is our Volunteer Appreciation Event -- mark your calendars for this one when the board and staff will get to show you their appreciation for all that you do for the pups.
NOVEMBER 7th: This is our big one! Bark at the Art which will be held again this year at the Marble Falls Lakeside Pavilion. It's another fun evening for everyone. We're adding more tables this year but watch for ticket sales coming online soon!
Any questions about using SIGN UP GENIUS to volunteer or questions about any of these events email Janelle at janelleb@hlcr.org
Want to get involved?
You can sign up for any of these events listed
above by going to http://www.SignUpGenius.com
Search for signups under janelleb@hlcr.org
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