AUSTIN, Texas — Amplify Austin starts on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. and runs through Friday, March 1. The 24-hour fundraiser aims to help hundreds of local non-profits raise money to support their ongoing missions.
One of those non-profits is Austin Pets Alive! which is designed to save pets who are at most risk for euthanasia. For Amplify Austin 2019, APA has set a goal for themselves to raise $240,000 over the course of 24-hours. Last year the group was able to raise $200,000 through the fundraiser.
Over the course of Amplify Austin, and through Sunday, APA will hold an adoption special called #AmplifyLifesaving focused on their life saving programs.
"We're just focusing on all of the things that mean the most to us here at APA, which is the animals," said Katera Berent, communications & events manager for APA. "this year more than ever before we're really focused in on showing off life-saving programs that we have here, you know? In year's past, we've really focused on our fundraising efforts and just talking about the shelter in general, but this year we really want to show off these cats and dogs that we have and all the efforts that go into saving their lives."
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Pets who qualify for the #AmplifyLifesaving adoption special include cats six months of age or older, dogs who are part of the Canine Good Citizens program, Top Dog programs or any "senior citizen" dogs seven years or older.
These pets will be $24, which will include spay/neuter procedures, their vaccines and intake procedure.
"What's really special about some of the dogs that we're offering for this $24 reduced fee, is that they're in these programs that have allowed them to become really great, trained dogs," said Berent. "They know the basic commands. They know sit and stay, how to walk on a leash but they know really intuitive things like how to react when a stranger approaches them when they're on a leash and their dog's on a leash, how to react appropriately when the stranger stops to talk to the owner, and all of these dogs in this program are trained day in and day out with dedicated staff and volunteers, so when they go home, they're already worlds ahead of any other dog."
Berent also explained cats who have been placed in the Ringworm ward or FelV adoption centers within APA also need good homes, and while at some other shelters outside of no-kill counties like Travis or Williamson, these cats may have been otherwise euthanized. Berent said most cats will be able to live happy, healthy lives even if they have FelV, and ringworm is easily treatable.
To make a donation to Austin Pets Alive! for Amplify Austin, click here.