The Happy Tail we’ve all been waiting for! After 5 years of patience, Dave has been adopted! In July 2018, Dave arrived at the Animal Defense League from the city . . .
“Our “Forgotten Friends” series showcases a dog or cat each week that has spent a lengthy time at an area shelter, just waiting for someone to notice them and bring . . .
Our teams joined Mike Osterhage at SA Live to share the new initiative with the help of Chowder, an adoptable dog at the ADL Nacogdoches Campus. Beginning April 11, . . .
“Who doesn’t love a good cup of Joe? I’m a calm guy who enjoys lots of relaxation. I may take a bit to warm up to you, but once I . . .
The Animal Defense League Top 3 Adoptions to Remember from 2022 2022 brought us many pets in crisis and in need of our help! For most of the year, we’ve . . .
All we wish for our pets was for them to spend the holidays and beyond with their new families and ADL Alumni, Stella, got just that! Zuri, now Stella, was . . .
Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay feeds a Thanksgiving feast to nearly 300 shelter dogs at Animal Defense League! “We love giving back during the holidays by feeding every shelter . . .
Learn with Councilman Manny Pelaez about how the San Antonio Zoo keeps their pets and visitors cool from Tim Morrow, San Antonio Zoo President & CEO, and get some great . . .
According to the American Heartworm Society, “More than a million pets in the United States have heartworms.” In 2021, ADL treated 205 dogs that were suffering from Heartworm disease, and . . .
Two is better than one…especially when it’s two lovable dogs! Meet brothers, Bebop and Rocksteady! These two were found in a Walmart parking lot by a good Samaritan traveling through . . .
We are thrilled to announce that ADL and PetSmart Charities have partnered to increase life-saving efforts here in San Antonio by launching a 7 day a week adoption service at . . .
Meet Mr. Floppy, a 6 month old Shepherd mix looking for a home. Mr. Floppy still has that young pup energy, so he would be a great running dog, hiking . . .
Gwen came in as a stray with her mother and siblings on September 15, 2021. Gwen was the smallest of the litter, and appeared healthy on intake. It was noted . . .
Seven year old Dachshund/Terrier mix, Helen, arrived at ADL on May 26, 2021 through transport from Animal Care Services, depressed and shy but very friendly. After arrival she was noted . . .
“Pets change our lives. Let’s change theirs!” Have you adopted from the Animal Defense League of Texas? Now through September 20, 2021, we invite you to share the big . . .
What: 5K When: May 22nd – May 31st Where: Virtual – location of your choice Why: Benefits the pets in need Details Walk, run, or jog this 5k anytime at . . .
The Animal Defense League of Texas is pleased to accept the San Antonio Express News Award for #2 best non-profit organization in San Antonio, Texas! Nominated in the category: . . .
Rocko is a 5-month-old Shepherd mix. This friendly, affectionate pup came to the Animal Defense League from the local municipal shelter after he was found as a stray. Our medical . . .
The Petco Foundation, together with BOBS from Skechers, want to know all the ways, big and small, that your adopted pet has changed your life for the better. Winning stories . . .
ADL would like to say a big thank you to Austin Pets Alive for being the leader and innovator of lifesaving programs to assist FELV positive cats and kittens along . . .
From Fracture to Forever: Bunny, the Brave Terrier Mix, Triumphs Over Pain with Surgery and Love, Awaits Adoption at the Animal Defense League of Texas
As the year draws to a close, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of our beloved pets at the Animal Defense League of Texas (ADL).
This year, despite numerous challenges, we have persevered to ensure the welfare of these voiceless creatures who depend on us. With your unwavering support, we have been able to provide them with essential medical care, nutritious food, and a comfortable shelter. But our work is far from over, and we need YOUR help to continue making a difference.
Here’s how you can contribute to our cause and be a part of something truly remarkable:
1. Make a year-end donation
2. Become a monthly donor
3. Explore Matching Gift Programs via your employer
4. Volunteer your time
5. Spread the word about ADL’s mission with your family and friends
At ADL, we rely on the generosity of compassionate individuals like YOU. With your support, we can continue giving these animals a second chance at life, a loving family, and the happiness they deserve.
Friendly and adorable, Bunny, a 1-year-old Terrier mix was recently transferred to the Animal Defense League of Texas (ADL) from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services. At the time, she had a very uncomfortable femur fracture causing her to lift her back right leg and favor the other three. Our team knew that a specialty surgery was necessary to ensure that she’d walk comfortably again. Thankfully, ADL has a great relationship with a local veterinarian who assists with surgical cases like Bunny’s.
“Shelters commonly encounter patients with orthopedic injuries, such as fractures and joint injuries. These cases can be difficult for shelters to manage due to the cost of care, limited resources, and the need for veterinary expertise. Unfortunately, these cases often end in amputations and in severe cases euthanasia, due to limitations of the shelter,” shares our Director of Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Services, Dr. Savannah Beauregard, “Fortunately, at ADL, due to generous donations and experienced veterinary surgeons willing to volunteer their expertise, we are able to surgically repair many of these pets’ injuries. Through the combined efforts of our staff veterinarians and private practitioners who volunteer their time to help these pets, we can perform a variety of orthopedic procedures and soft tissue surgical procedures in our hospital. It’s really wonderful to be able to watch these animals heal from their injuries and earn a new lease on life as they find their forever families.”
After her surgery, Bunny needed to take things slow, so she went to a foster home where she’d benefit from limited activity and time to heal. Her foster family quickly learned how wonderful and well-behaved she is. Bunny is building her strength each and every day and can’t wait to find her forever family! *UPDATE – Bunny has been adopted!
Nominated in the category: San Antonio’s Best Places for Services according to readers, we are recognized for quality customer service with top notch care amongst first place winner, SA Food Bank and third place winner, Elf Louise Christmas Project. Among these wonderful organizations, the Animal Defense League of Texas strives to provide accessible services and educational resources to the San Antonio community and its abandoned, abused, or neglected dogs and cats. To increase program accessibility, in 2020, ADL permanently reduced its intake fee to a flat $50.00 regardless of age, condition or litter size.
These services and resources include:
As we continue to enhance the quality of life for these animals and maintain a healthy and loving facility, ADL consistently works to find the best possible home for each resident animal, pairing the wonderful pets at our shelter with caring families. Through grassroots advocacy, education and rescue, the organization is the leading voice for dogs and cats in crisis.
To join us in our efforts, find out ways you can help.
Rescued from Feline Blues: Papita, the 19-pound sweetheart, triumphs over depression, Calicivirus, and hunger strikes to find her purr-fect forever home
While most of us “cat people” know that when we are feeling down, stressed, or anxious, a kitty can be your purr-fect companion; but, not all of us are aware that cats can suffer from depression and sadness too. Changes in routine or environment, the loss of a loved one, illness, or injury can lead to stress and depression in cats. For many cats we rescue at Animal Defense League of Texas (ADL), the environmental stress of being abandoned, then thrust into shelter life, puts their emotions into a tailspin.
Cats are individuals, but they still benefit from the connection of love and trust that they get from their human companions. While this can be temporarily possible in a shelter, most cats need a permanent place to call home to feel happy and safe. And, thanks to the compassionate support of individuals like YOU, ADL can have a profound impact on the well-being of thousands of vulnerable kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs that enter our doors. Your continued support can make a real difference in our mission to save more homeless pets. Please send your generous gift today to give the pets in our care and our community a second chance for health and happiness.
At the distinguished age of 13, Papita, a sweet 19-pound feline was transferred to the Animal Defense League (ADL) in hopes of finding a forever family; however, the unfamiliar shelter environment quickly took its toll on her mental health. She was depressed, well over an ideal healthy weight, and not feeling herself due to Calicivirus, an upper respiratory tract infection, so our team devised a plan of action for Papita.
“Certain cats can suffer from feline depression, which can be especially prevalent in house cats surrendered to animal shelters; being taken away from the home that they know and the people that they love can be really stressful for some of our feline friends. And although they may experience sadness differently than we do, when you pay close attention, you can pick up on subtle clues that they have the blues. A depressed cat might sleep more often, eat less food or no food at all (what we call “hunger striking”), groom themselves obsessively and/or vocalize more often,” states our Director of Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Services, Dr. Savannah Beauregard.
Papita went on multiple hunger strikes while in our care, and even with our team offering a buffet of yummy food and treats, she simply wasn’t interested. The best option was to place her in a quiet, calm foster home where she could receive some extra TLC. We were thrilled to hear that she was starting to thrive, eating well, using her litterbox, bonding with her foster family, including their rescue pup. Papita truly found her happy place! In fact, her foster family fell in love and made her a permanent resident in their home. These days, she is “the boss,” loves pets, meows her way through a whole conversation, enjoys belly rubs and nap snuggles, and can’t get enough hugs, especially right before a hearty meal.
