ADL Happy Tails – Zuri
Categories: Happy Tails
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 . . .
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 . . .
Ireland is an incredibly sweet 2-year-old, lab mix who loves people. Unfortunately, he has cranial cruciate rupture of both knees which causes him to struggle with walking. The cranial cruciate . . .
Meet Lattie, he’s a 6-year-old, male cat who we transferred into our care through our partnership with Animal Care Services. Lattie came to ADL with an unknown medical history and . . .
Aries is a 5 year old, Boxer mix who came to ADL on January 30, 2019. As you can see from his before photo, he was obviously emaciated. Our veterinary . . .
We’re giving our past pet stars from this year another chance at being North Park Subaru pet stars of the week! Please consider giving these pet stars a chance to . . .
We had a fantastic time at our 85th Birthday Petsravaganza! Thank you to all our supporters, vendors, and partners who came out to celebrate with us! A special thank you . . .
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.
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.