Our Impact
245
Number of Animals Assisted
As of 12/31/2025
$432,890
Grants Paid
Stories
We measure our success in actual lives changed. These stories are a testament to the difference that communities can make when we come together to create lasting change.
Featured Story
Celia
Celia is a 4 month-old Chi Mix puppy who was surrendered to Austin Pets Alive by its owner when Celia was diagnosed with Parvo. She only weighed two pounds when Austin Pets Alive became her new home. Celia surprisingly survived Parvo and gained to 2.8 lbs. That’s when it was discovered she had a PDA from the results of an echocardiography scan.
Per http://vetfolio.com, Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital heart disease in dogs. It is due to the failure of the ductus arteriosus muscle to constrict, leaving a passageway for blood flow and resulting in eventual left-sided heart disease and/or generalized heart failure.
Faith Valasek, Facilities, Information, and Legal Services Manager of Austin Pets Alive contacted us to request $600 for a consultation with the heart surgeon team at Texas A&M. Animals Staying Alive, Inc. was able to provide the necessary funds to sponsor Celia’s consultation in February, 2017.
The Texas A&M cardiac surgeon reported Celia had an enlarged heart and recommended heart surgery. Cost estimates set the cost of this surgery at over $3,000. We were so happy at Animals Staying Alive to be able to provide for the full costs of surgery for Celia. Her PDA ligation surgery was held in April, 2017 at a full cost of $3,250. One little pup that was ready for her forever home with a good bill of health.
Total Grant for Celia: $3,850
Featured Story
Penelope
This little teacup, Morkie named Penelope owned by Kami L had a luxation in her neck and needed surgery to survive in early 2020.
Per http://vcahospitals.com, a luxation of the neck is defined as:
Atlantoaxial (AA) luxation is a condition in which instability, or excessive movement, is present between the first two vertebrae within the neck. This spinal disorder is most commonly seen in young, small breed dogs, such as Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas.
Penelope had already been to a veterinarian, an ER, and to a veterinarian Neurologist at a total cost to her owner of $1,218.65. To proceed with the necessary surgery, Kami needed a total of $4,500 more to allow Penelope to be out of pain and survive. Her owner was out of options and though, Penelope was so very loved, she was desperate for financial assistance.
Animals Staying Alive was able to assist Kami with a grant of $1,000. Penelope was able to have the life-saving surgery in March, 2020 and per Kami, is recovering well.
Total Grant for Penelope: $1,000
Featured Story
Pip
Pip’s owner, Shawn B contacted Animals Staying Alive Inc. through our website in early November, 2020. His sweet 7 year-old dog tore his left ACL (knee ligament) and was in urgent need of surgery. The veterinarian said Pip was at risk of tearing the ACL in the right knee because he was bearing extra weight on that leg.
Pip’s owner is a front line worker and sole supporter of the family in a world in chaos due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shawn works in a rehab hospital in Austin, Texas. To get Pip to the vet and vet specialist required Shawn to take time off without pay. Understandably lost pay takes a big toll on the finances for any family.
The kicker to this dilemma was the surgery Pip needed would cost between $2,400-$2,600. In addition, Pip would need follow-up therapy that would cost approximately $500 more.
Shawn and his family asked for help. They loved their sweet baby, Pip and could not bear to see him suffer. The veterinary surgeon would not allow scheduling of the surgery until a deposit of $2,400 was paid. Animals Staying Alive committed to paying for the surgery and Pip was able to get scheduled right away. In fact, Pip’s surgery was scheduled for the very next day. His surgery was successful but more work was needed to insure he healed correctly.
Dr. Lewis, the surgeon recommended 8 sessions of physical therapy for Pip after surgery. The cost was projected at $395 and it included all expected rechecks with x-rays. Animals Staying Alive agreed to fund the remaining therapy for Pip and now well on his way to a great recovery.
Total Grant for Pip: $3,000
Featured Story
Lily
Emotional Support Calico Cat needs surgery to remove mass
Lily is a 9 year old calico cat whose owner, Richard became concerned about a large growth on her eyelid. Lily is Richard’s world, per his own admission. Richard has disabilities and survives on a limited fixed income. After realizing the surgery to remove the growth, diagnose and treat Lily was going to be beyond his means, he applied for Care Credit and was denied. Veterinary Surgical Solutions referred Richard to our charity in hopes we could help.
Richard requested assistance for Lily’s emergency medical expenses through the website of Animals Staying Alive, Inc. After obtaining a veterinary estimate of recommended medical expenses, our board approved the grant of $1,550 to remove and biopsy the mass on Lily’s eyelid as per the estimate. With our assistance, Lily had the surgery she needed.
Total Grant for Lily: $1,251
Featured Story
Buddy
Victim of a Hit-and-Run
A horrible tragedy occurred recently when a car hit a beloved family dog named Buddy at 1 am and then drove off. His caretakers scooped him up from the middle of the road and rushed him to Austin Veterinary Emergency Services. Unfortunately the owners were not able to afford the expensive orthopedic surgery needed for an estimated $8,000. The owners applied for Care Credit and for Scratch Pay but neither were approved. A day later, Buddy was released to go home without surgery after he was stabilized. Veterinarians recommended FHO* as the minimal surgery Buddy would need. He would in-fact need multiple surgeries for other breaks in his pelvis. A deposit of at least $1,600 is required before any surgery could be scheduled.
Given surgery was desperately needed and not wanting to euthanize their pet because they couldn’t afford the needed surgery, the owners began a fundraiser on Facebook. Though they raised a significant amount of money quickly from supportive family and friends, the Facebook fundraiser donations take time to get to the recipient. Meanwhile Buddy suffered at home in a crate with pain medications.
Animals Staying Alive, Inc. heard Buddy was suffering in need of financial assistance immediately. Our charity was established to provide financial support for the emergency medical needs of animals lacking financial means. We contacted Buddy’s owners and offered to provide the funds for the deposit to the veterinary facility immediately. Though Buddy was able to get the FHO surgery recommended at Wildflower Animal Hospital in Driftwood, Texas, he still has a long road to recovery. We wish him comfort and a smooth recovery.
*An FHO, or femoral head ostectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to restore pain-free mobility to a diseased or damaged hip.
Total Grant for Buddy: $1,741
