Airline for pets announces Austin expansion

from: digitaljournal.com
HOUSTON, TX, July 27, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- People and Pets Dog Airlines, a Houston-based pet transportation company, has announced plans for expansion in the Austin market. People and Pets provides air transportation throughout the country, and ground transportation in Texas and surrounding states.

People and Pets is opening offices in Austin to offer local transport services in between homes, veterinarians, pet groomers, and People and Pets flights at airports. People and Pets is also increasing capacity in Houston, and has launched an online reservation system, allowing customers to book transportation quickly and seamlessly.

Houston-based People and Pets Dog Airlines is the only airline just for pets. Founded in 2014, the company is focused on providing fast, safe pet transportation throughout the country, with free transportation available to animal rescue groups.

People and Pets Animal Transportation is a division of People and Pets Dog Airlines LLC. People and Pets Animal Transportation provides services on the ground in conjunction with People and Pets Dog Airlines flights, both long-distance and local in the Houston market.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2623716#ixzz3hxIvWwY9

AFD needs new pet oxygen masks

from: keyetv.com

Updated: Thu, Jul 30 2015, 06:50 PM

By Bettie Cross

The Austin Fire Department needs your help to better protect every member of your family. AFD's pet oxygen masks are wearing out and need to be replaced. One Austin firefighter, who used a mask to save an old cat, knows the masks make a life-saving difference when fires break out. 

"You're worried about getting out or getting your family out. You may not be able to find your cat hiding under the bed or your dog hiding in the closet. So sometimes they get left in there, trapped in there, and they can't get out," said Austin firefighter Andrew Jackson. "These (pet oxygen masks) come in real handy if we get them out and they're still breathing." 

On Wednesday, Jackson was called to a south Austin house fire on Dillion Hill Drive. "We knew at the time that there were still pets in the home," said Battalion Chief Thayer Smith. Firefighters knocked down the fire and found an 18-year-old cat named "Kitty" unconscious. Jackson took it from there. "It was still breathing after being in there that long, so it still had a shot," said Jackson. For 45 minutes Jackson kept this pet oxygen mask sealed to Kitty's face. At first there was no response, but before long both Kitty and the firefighter were back on their feet. 

"And it was standing up meowing by the time we put it in the cage," said Jackson. 

Kitty survived thanks to the pet oxygen masks that can be found at every Austin fire station.

Station 36's mascot helped with a demonstration. "You slip the snout and the mouth inside and it forms a seal around the outside," said Jackson. But AFD says too many of the rubber seals are losing their elasticity. "They kind of just get brittle and fall apart," said Jackson. 

The masks were donated more than five years ago and AFD doesn't have the money to replace them. If pet oxygen masks wear out firefighters don't want to have to use masks that were made for human faces. Those masks don't fit a pet's snout. There are gaps at the top and at the bottom and that means the dogs, cats and other pets are not getting the right amount of oxygen that could save their lives.

 It will cost about $5,000 to put a set of 3 pet oxygen masks at every Austin fire station. Jackson knows if they can find the money it will be well spent. "It made a difference at the scene Wednesday. You may just be able to give them the kick start they need," said Jackson. Thursday, a fundraising account was set up on CrowdRise.com to raise $5,000. Click on this link, Pet Oxygen Masks, to get more information on the fundraising effort.

Read More at: http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Austin-Fire-Department-Needs-New-Pet-Oxygen-Masks-178280.shtml

Social media helps unite stolen dog with family

from: FOXAustin.com

Jax 

By Elizabeth Saab

"Who would take a dog?" That's what Jordan Quick is trying to figure out. "People comment about him all he time, he's a cute puppy and there aren't any other puppies around here," says Quick's girlfriend Jamie Higuera of the blue nose pit bull.

Quick says he left his North Austin apartment early Saturday morning. When he got home around 1, he says he noticed his XBox was missing. So was his beloved Jax. "I feel violated and insanely upset that someone came into my room, my place and took my dog."

Quick believes the suspect was driving a white F150 truck. Images were captured on his neighbor's surveillance camera. He says he isn't sure if the door was unlocked or picked but that there were no signs of forced entry, "I don't know what could have happened."

Also on Saturday morning, Ken Paulsen was driving down 183S on his way to workout. He was behind a white pick-up, when he saw a dog's head pop out of the back. "I don't know if it hit a bump or jumped but it tumbled on to the highway at 60 miles an hour," Paulsen says. 

A dog owner himself, Paulsen scooped Jax up. "I assumed the owner was the truck driver and was reckless by keeping him in the truck bed." With no tags or a collar, Paulsen took the injured dog to his vet. "He very obviously had road rash all over from hitting the asphalt, you could visibly see one of his ribs was dislocated."

And he needed pelvic surgery. After spending more than $400 of their own money, Ken and his wife Emily started aGoFundMe campaign to pay for it. "I know how devastating medical expenses can be to folks I feel like we're in a position to help," he says. Emily adds, "The fact that somebody could do that to a puppy, the cruelty that's there, it's hard for us to fathom."

At the same time, Jordan and Jamie had started a Facebook page to find Jax.

"Because we started that," say Emily, "some of our friends connected the dots from the owner's lost dog page." And Jax and Jordan were reunited on Monday. "It was definitely an eye opener to what social media can do," Jordan says. And he says he's blown away by the kindness of the two strangers who took care of his dog, "I feel eternally grateful, these people saved my dog."

Jax still needs the surgery. And before he and Jordan were reunited, Ken and Emily say their friends kicked in to help. Now Jordan's are too. He says, "Our friends and family know now that he's been found, they've contributed and sent in money and are tying to help him out, we're thankful and grateful."

The suspect though is still on the loose, and the Williamson County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to come forward. "Of all things he could have taken my DVD's, pictures, posters, surround system, TV, I don't care," Jordan says angrily. "He took my dog and that's unforgivable."

He says though he can sleep soundly tonight knowing Jax is in his arms. "I guarantee you that we'll try to be more charitable."

Emily and Ken say they were just doing what they hope most people would do, "To find out this poor person to have their family member stolen, I can't imagine how we would feel if one of our guys disappeared, it would be devastating."  Emily adds, "Today's been so overwhelming in the joy and goodness in finding his owner, we never imagined it would end this way."

Barking Garage opens at shopping center

from: KVUE.com

AUSTIN -- Just outside the Nordstrom Rack at the Gateway Shopping Center in northwest Austin, a big yellow car hauler sits in the parking lot. On the outside, it reads "TheBarkingGarage.com. Park your dog here while you shop."

Mary Traverse started the new business. Last month, she decided to buy the yellow car hauler, decorate it, insulate it and install air conditioning in it. She filled the inside with colorful cages of different sizes, complete with water bowls.

Traverse said her idea for an on-site mall doggie storage took some time. "I've been racking my brains for a couple of years," she said.

"I have a human practice," she said about being a chiropractor. Traverse is also a certified animal chiropractor by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

The Barking Garage, Traverse said, came about out of desperation and need.

"I live a little bit outside of town and I love to have my dogs with me, but I just can't stand it. I can't even run into the grocery store," said Dr. Traverse.

She's from Oatmeal, a small town near Bertram, 43 miles northwest of Austin in Burnet County. Leaving her dogs in the car while she shops is not an option, and she doesn't want anyone else to resort to that either.

"A lot of times, I make a special trip back into town on a Saturday to run my errands just because my dogs would be safe," Traverse said.

This is The Barking Garage's second weekend in business, and so far there are no customers -- yet.

"The stores are really happy to have us here because they're in a hard spot," she said. "They don't want to call the cops on their clients."

Gary Biggers owns a 55-pound Huski,e but he didn't bring her shopping. He said he may next time after he heard about TheBarkingGarage.com.

"It makes life so much easier. I don't know what's in [the car hauler] but I know its cool," Biggers said. "Huskies are hot in the summer, especially here, so I think that's a great idea and I want to see more of those pop up...To save your pet's life, just to put him in there while you're shopping...because before you know it, 45 minutes go by and poor Fido is in the car."

Prices start at $10 an hour with a 30 minute minimum.

Right now, The Barking Garage is only open on weekends: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rare plug: Jon Stewart's wife's new book

(Photo: 'Do Unto Animals')

from: mnn.com
By: Michael d'Estries

April 24, 2015, 8:07 p.m.

Haven't heard of Tracey Stewart? That's all about to change. The former veterinary technician and animal advocate who also happens to be married to "Daily Show" comedian Jon Stewart, is quickly rising in the world of animal welfare thanks to a new book, online magazine, and a new rescue farm. 

Artisan Books announced this week that it will publish Stewart's first book, "Do Unto Animals," in October. In addition to more than 300 pages of beautiful illustrations by celebrated artist Lisel Ashlock, the book will give readers "insights into the secret lives of animals and the kindest ways to live with and alongside them."

The release states that everything from learning how to speak "cat-ese" and "dog-ese" to building backyard bee houses and humanely dealing with yard pests will be explored. Stewart will also share experiences from the farm that she, Jon, and their two kids currently own in New Jersey. The couple reportedly are working towards turning the property into a "a home for farm animals rescued from cruelty."

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/do-unto-animals-the-new-book-from-tracey-stewart-that-aims-to-help-us#ixzz3hx771NKh

Pet Lives Matter: Animal Rights Activists Lobby Leg for Stronger Laws for Paws

from: kvue.com

AUSTIN -- Animal rights activists met at the Texas Capitol Saturday in an effort to put a stop to what they feel is unnecessary shooting of dogs by law enforcement.

The event, entitled "Stronger Laws For Paws," calls for action to be taken against officers involved in these types of shootings.

Julian Reyes, one of the organizers of the event, said they want to see officers who are accused of shooting a pet while out on a call put on administrative leave.

"It's important because dogs are family, and we want to protect our family members," Reyes said.

Reyes said he just filed a civil suit because he alleges an officer shot his dog two years ago. More recently, a Travis County deputy constable allegedly shot and killed a dog in North Austin this January.

Reyes said these incidents must come to an end.

"It would be nice if maybe we could get more training, for the police to know what to look at and what dogs are aggressive, key points and stuff like that," said Chris Hankinson, a rally attendee.

Some departments have already implemented training measures.

In Leander, police hired a canine aggression expert for an 8 hour training course after an officer allegedly shot a dog there.

And Austin Police have completed a two hour training course on what to do if they're approached by an aggressive dog.

The same group hosted a march in Houston on Saturday as well.

KVUE reached out to local law enforcement for comment today, but did not receive a response.

Featured today on HuffPo: Austin dog overachiever knows more than sit and stay

from: huffingtonpost.com

The Huffington Post  |  By Kate Bratskeir

Most dogs will pounce at the potential of a food scrap dropping from the dinner table. Sid the beagle is not most dogs.

The five-year-old rescue pooch is more patient that most humans, posing long enough for his owner, Alex Hopes, to post his mug on Vine, Instagram or Facebook. When all things social media are snapped and hashtagged, Sid is rewarded with an edible treat.

Despite his class act, Sid is not any kind of show dog. "He's well behaved," Hopes tells The Huffington Post. "Any time he takes anything that's not his, he holds it in his mouth and waits for permission."

Recently, at his local burger joint in Austin, Texas, Hopes ordered a cookie and was given an extra for free. He decided to hand it over to Sid, who held it proudly in his mouth like the good dog he is.

"Everyone in Austin knows Sid," said Hopes. The dog started to gain celebrity a year ago, when a GoFundMe account was set up to raise money for surgery after Sid was hit by a car. The pup sustained four fractured ribs and a punctured lung, among other injuries. Thousands of dollars were raised on Sid's behalf, and the duo have been making magic together ever since. Hopes has even transcribed Sid's adventures into a children's book.