Austin Pets Alive

Our Mission

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is a 501(c)(3) No Kill animal organization that provides the programs and initiatives to directly address the shockingly high, needless euthanasia rates seen in animal shelters in Central Texas and all over the U.S. Since its creation in 2008, APA! has helped Austin become the nation’s largest No Kill city, pushing the cities save rate from 45% to over 98% in only 10 short years. APA! has saved over 10,000 lives, leading the way in developing comprehensive, innovative programs that target and rescue those most at risk of dying in other shelters such as animals with behavioral concerns, many common diseases, and neonatal kittens.

Not stopping with this local success, Austin Pets Alive! is committed to helping more communities achieve No Kill status by teaching other rescue groups and shelters about APA!'s innovative and lifesaving programs and by extending APA!'s services to more shelters and pets throughout Texas. In 2018, the organization began building out its Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy, bringing over 400 students annually to its central facility in Austin and to the city's shelter, Austin Animal Center, to learn how to replicate Austin's outstanding success in No Kill practices. Additionally, the academy allows APA!’s expert staff to travel to, consult with, and mentor shelters and groups in other communities in their efforts to become No Kill.