Oct 30, 2023

When potential adopters sift by means of the a whole bunch of canine out there for adoption on our web site or stroll previous the rows of kennels at our principal location, they little doubt will see a number of canine in wheelchairs who’re in search of a house. We might supply a bulleted record answering “Why Undertake a Wheelchair Canine?” however we’d moderately discover, “Why not?”

October is Subaru Loves Pets month and whereas all pets are being celebrated, our associates at Subaru like to shine the highlight on underdogs — canine who could have a more durable time discovering their adoptive house on account of perceived boundaries, through the month of October. Canine in wheelchairs, or as we name them at APA!, “wheelie canine,” usually roll into that class.

Having a wheelie canine in your house, in lots of regards, is not any completely different than having a canine with their very own full mobility. One highly effective instance of a profitable wheelie canine adoption sits with Frankie and her adopted canine, Gavin.

Frankie first entered the world of APA! as a foster in the beginning of 2023 and dove deeper into her involvement by turning into a sturdy volunteer, a call impressed by how a lot she loves Gavin.

“In early 2023, I noticed an e mail from Austin Pets Alive! a few canine named Gavin who had possible been hit by a automobile in 2021 and was left paralyzed. APA! pulled him and supplied surgical procedure to restore his jaw. He was within the shelter for nearly two years. I immediately knew I needed to foster Gavin.

Though I’d by no means had a particular wants canine, I knew I might discover ways to look after him and provides him a loving house. I picked Gavin up through the ice storm in February 2023. He instantly stole my coronary heart, and, after two weeks, I formally adopted him. Gavin’s every day routine contains walks on our neighborhood path, serving to me on the group backyard, taking part in within the yard with my different pups, and snuggling as much as a stuffed toy whereas I earn a living from home.

Adopting Gavin has enriched my life as a lot because it has his. I’m grateful on daily basis that APA! saved him and supplied medical care after his accident. To point out my thanks, I volunteer with the canine on the TLAC location most days. I take pleasure in spending time with the bizarre ones, the tremendous excessive power ones, and the specially-abled ones.

Adopting, fostering, or just taking a shelter pup on a sleepover for a few weeks helps APA!’s mission of eliminating the killing of companion animals. Taking only one APA! canine house, opens up kennel area to permit APA! to tug from different shelters and keep away from euthanasia.

Whereas Gavin wants a wheelchair to be on the transfer, a lot of his day is spent in the identical approach some other canine spends their day — exploring the world with their individuals, having fun with some meals and treats, and snuggling on the finish of the day.

We’re so glad that Frankie’s coronary heart and residential opened for Gavin and love that we’re given the privilege of Frankie’s time and a window into the charmed life that Gavin has with Frankie!