Letter From the Executive Director

Friends and Supporters,

It is with great pleasure that Austin Dog Alliance announces the opening of a Training and Adoption Center on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14. 

Yes, you read that correctly.  We are opening a Training and Adoption center. 

As many of you are aware, Austin Dog Alliance has been pursuing and planning for this since its inception in 2006.

The 2300 sq foot facility is located at the South West corner of RR 620 and Lake Creek Parkway in North Austin.  It is in the plaza behind Dairy Queen. 

The space features a wide open room, wood floors and mirrors on several walls. 

A Training and Adoption Center will provide us with so many opportunities. 

Not only will the Center give us a location to hold fun classes and events, it will also provide us with the opportunity to:

• rescue and find homes for more dogs
• train more dog owners on how to teach their dog manners – hopefully keeping more dogs out of the shelters
• train, evaluate and deploy more pet therapy teams in hospitals and nursing homes
• support the activities of all rescue groups in Austin
• increase our K9 Kid programs
• expand our offerings to the deaf community
• expand our Bow Wow Reading Dog program into more schools 

The Center will be staffed by a team of dog trainers with many, many years of combined experience.  All training will employ positive training methods and the emphasis will be on enjoying your dog.  Volunteers will continue to play a key role in our organization.  In fact, volunteers will be essential to our continued success in reaching out to the community and rescuing dogs from kill shelters.

This is a big step.  It’s a big step for Austin Dog Alliance and a big step for me personally.   The small non-profit group that rescues dogs and helps to place pet therapy teams is now a full scale business with a monthly obligation for rent payments, a team of over 200 volunteers and a staff of trainers.   Exciting – YES!  A bit scary at times – yes.  I can’t do this alone – I need all of you to make it a success.  So grab your leash and come join me.

Together, we CAN make a difference.

Sincerely,

Debi Krakar
Executive Director and Dog Trainer
Austin Dog Alliance

PS – Check out our new website

Volunteer Opportunities

Painting, reading with kids, fund raising, answering the phone, fostering a dog, driving dogs to the vet, taking pictures, posting to Craig’s list, planning the Grand Opening event, walking puppies………  We have lots and lots of ways for you to get involved.

Join us for a Volunteer Open House on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00.  Meet our team leaders, trainers and board members.  Learn all about our programs and get a sneak peek at the Training Center.  Volunteers of all ages are welcome.

Help is also needed with getting our new facility ready for the public.  If you are handy with a paintbrush and tools or know how to clean windows, we could use your help.  Our painting and cleaning day is scheduled for Sunday, February 8 from 10 – 4.  If you can help, please RSVP to Debi@AustinDogAlliance.org.  This is an adult only event, no dogs or kids this time.

Opening Day Seminar

Since we have placed quite a few young pups in the past couple of months, we are going to kick off our training activities in the morning with a:

Caring for Your New Puppy Seminar
Saturday, February 14 from 10 – 12

Free for Austin Dog Alliance adopters, $10 per family for all others.

Reservations Required.  Visit our website for more information and to register.

Puppy Love Meet and Greet

Find the new dog or puppy of your dreams at our first Meet and Greet.  Most of our adoptable dogs and puppies will be available to meet you.  Talk to the dog’s foster parent to learn more about your potential new family member.  Visit with our trainers to learn more about training your new dog.

Saturday, February 14 from 1 – 3

FREE – cookies and punch will be served.

No reservations required.  An approved application is required to adopt, but everyone is welcome to come and meet the pups.

Registration Opens Friday for Classes

Does your dog jump on everyone?  Does your dog pull you down the street?  Would you like your kids to learn how to care for a dog?  Are you ready to pursue pet therapy?  Would you like to spend time with your dog doing fun activities?  Are you interested in a dog training class that welcomes young kids?  Would your middle school child enjoy teaching tricks to your dog?

Check out our class schedule and register online starting Friday, February 6.  Classes start Monday, February 16.  All our instructors employ positive dog training techniques and all our classes are designed to be educational and FUN.  

Wish List

As you can imagine, the costs involved in opening a public Training and Adoption Center are extensive.  We are looking for corporate sponsorships and donations, big and small.  Every dollar will be put to good use.  If cash is a bit tight right now, but you still want to contribute, consider volunteering or donating one of the items on our wish list.

Thank You from all of us at Austin Dog Alliance.

Ever Thought About Being a Foster Parent?

What an exciting time to join a caring and fun group of people with a mission!

With all the added exposure that Austin Dog Alliance is having right now due to the Center opening, adoption applications are rolling in and we are in a rather unique situation.  We have more adopters than we have available dogs!  With more foster homes we could help many wonderful dogs find fabulous families!  The families are waiting… and dogs are waiting… we just need your help as we match them up!

With the new facility we will be able to offer training classes to our foster families so in addition to your foster dog learning… you can learn more about training a dog… for free!

Fostering is a rewarding way to enjoy the companionship of a dog! Most dogs are adopted in 3 weeks or less. The dogs we select for our program are happy, well socialized, friendly dogs.

If you are interested in learning more, fill out a foster application today or come by the center on February 11th to see what the excitement is all about!