AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) found a labradoodle abandoned and tethered to a tree with a mangled leg. Now it's looking to get him adopted.
Dr. Alexis Bardzinski had to amputate the dog's leg, which was already mangled when APA! Manager Lauren Heymann found him on July 3 near the ! shelter, tied to a tree. They named the 3-year-old dog "Independence Day."
"There wasn't any fur or anything," Heymann said. "I could see that there was already bone exposure. So, it was already very badly infected at that point."
Heymann said it appeared Independence Day had been tied to the tree for hours. He already had bandages on the infected paw, making them believe the doodle had been taken to the vet the day before.
PHOTOS: Abandoned Labradoodle needs mangled leg amputated
"This probably would have cost thousands and thousands of dollars to treat," Heymann said.
Heymann said the previous owners probably couldn't afford the bill. Dr. Bardzinski said she's seen an increase in pets being abandoned because of this.
"It's hard nowadays with inflation and costs and vet care going up," Bardzinski said.
On top of that, many local shelters are not taking pets because they're overcrowded.
According to a 2024 USA Today survey, the cost of pet food is up 25% since 2020 and vet care is now 11% more expensive than it was in 2022.
Heymann said APA! has a program that helps pet owners with medical care expenses. It's called Positive Alternatives To Shelter Surrender, or P.A.S.S.
"They can help you raise funds," Heymann said.
As for Independence Day, he's expected to be walking again by Tuesday and fully recovered in two weeks. He's up for foster or adoption, and Bardzinski said he's a sweet dog.
"He's a very easygoing dog," Bardzinski said. "Very good. You know, we've just had him in the kennel. Very sweet, loving."
APA! said it has raised the money needed to cover Independence Day's $3,000 surgery and his wound therapy and bandage care. Since KVUE's story aired on Monday, the shelter said it has received a lot of calls from people looking to adopt him.