Austin's Big Heart during the Big Chill

When Central Texas faced 50-plus hours of freezing temperatures, the team at Austin Pets Alive! moved fast to keep their dogs and cats safe and warm. They put out a call for people to please take in the shelter animals as fosters for a few days during the bitter cold. In a giant show of generosity, Central Texans answered that call and opened their hearts and homes in record numbers to the shelter pups and kitties like Bandito and Boz.

Usually, Austin Pets Alive! houses around 150 dogs. But, at the height of the bitterly cold weather, that number had plummeted to just 18. " We realized we had never had less than 20 dogs and less than 20 cats at the shelter! Suzie Chase, with Texas Pets Alive, says the huge outpouring of support far exceeded expectations. "We were actually able to take in animals from other area shelters, including Austin Animal Services and find short-term fosters for many of those dogs and cats. "

Here is the impressive impact behind Austin's love for animals.

• 211 dogs placed in short-term foster homes.

• 80 cats headed to foster care.

• 63 total adoptions (32 dogs and 31 cats) in just four days.

Chase says the entire staff at Austin Pets Alive is deeply grateful to everyone who opened their homes to a shivering dog or cat, shared a social media post or waited in line to take in a foster. Once again, our community led with a big heart, providing warmth and a much-needed safety net during a time of crisis.