Puppy Savers
Hard Luck Hounds celebrates 100 rescues of "last chance" dogs in Austin shelters
In 2011, Austin made several noteworthy strides toward becoming an even more animal friendly city.
With deliberate action by Austin City Council and the construction of the new Austin Animal Center in East Austin, the city became the first official "no-kill" city in the state of Texas. Working alongside several area nonprofits, the city maintained their stated goal of saving 90 percent of the rescue animals brought into local animal shelters from being euthanized.
But for some, a 100 percent save rate is the only way to declare the city a truly no-kill environment. Which is where David Pasztor steps in.
Pasztor is the founder of the Austin area nonprofit Hard Luck Hounds, which has made it their specific mission to save the last 10 percent of dogs that are declared otherwise unadoptable. With specific medical attention, behavioral therapy and — most importantly — love, these very lucky pooches are the final piece of the puzzle for Austin to achieve that lofty goal of all but ending shelter euthanization.
On Sunday, Hard Luck Hounds and the Austin Animal Center will celebrate their 100th hound adoption after opening their doors in September of last year. Amazingly, their original goal for the year was finding homes for 58 dogs, and they will nearly double that number four months earlier than their deadline.
To celebrate the event, Austin Animal Center is hosting a public, dog-friendly party on Sunday to honor HLH's efforts. Many of the organization's success stories will be present to walk the red carpet, and Tanner, the 100th last chance dog to be adopted, will be present in a puppy-sized tuxedo.
"The success of the Hard Luck Hounds program is a testament to the Austin community's concern for animals and belief in second chances," says Pastor, who, as a journalist and a longtime shelter volunteer, knows precisely how to tug at the exact right heart strings.
If you're interested in adopting one of Pasztor's Hard Luck Hounds, the dogs' profiles are available on the website. Additionally, all of these special buddies come with a custom care package that includes a waiver of adoption fees, a free wellness exam at the vet, a free crate and arrangements for future training.
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The Hard Luck Hounds red carpet event will happen in the main adoption building of the Austin Animal Center (7201 Levander Loop) on Sunday at 11 a.m.