Friday, 8/22 update:
Investigation Progress
As of this morning, the suspect involved in the incident is in police custody. We have been informed that he was apprehended on the initial warrant, and additional charges are still pending. We have shared the medical expenses with the detective from the animal cruelty division, who is pursuing the addition of criminal mischief charges. Based on the combined costs of medical treatment and gate repair, these charges could escalate to felony status, which we believe would automatically elevate the case's severity. We have also reached out to the Victim Services department at the District Attorney's office for guidance and support throughout this process.
Enhanced Security Measures
The APA! facilities team has completed a thorough walk-through with the supervisors from our security company. To improve consistency and familiarity with our premises, the security company is assigning a dedicated team of guards to this location, preventing new personnel from rotating through the post. Furthermore, our contact list has been shared with all assigned guards to ensure seamless communication.
In an effort to increase visibility and deterrence, a patrol car will be stationed on-site beginning Tuesday and will remain for a period of two weeks. This vehicle will be parked in our lot during the day and utilized by the overnight guards during their shifts. The security company has also recommended that we ask staff, volunteers, and fosters to refrain from visiting the premises during late hours unless absolutely necessary. We will roll out this process by Monday, August 25, and appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation as we implement these new security protocols.
Security & Facilities Staff/Volunteer Ask
We encourage all PM staff and volunteers to check out with security if you are the last person on campus, to ensure security is aware that any other individuals crossing campus are not associated with APA!. We also want to ask everyone to ensure all doors are locked and latches sealed upon exit. We are also placing a curfew on foster and supply pick up and drop off from 10PM - 6AM, and we would appreciate your help to remind the community about our NEW curfew.
We continue to be grateful to all of our staff and volunteers for supporting each other during this challenging time. If you are a community member looking to help please see our asks below. And if you already have, thank you!
Monday 8/18 update:
Lynette, Thor, and Cowboy Caviar were just a few of the dogs who went into foster care at the end of last week following the break-in. We are endlessly grateful to everyone who steps up to foster, whether in response to an emergency or simply because it’s what speaks to your soul.
And the good news doesn’t stop there; adoptions are happening too! Fish Stick Jones and Choco Flan were among those who found a place to call home and people to call family. Saying we’re thrilled for these pets and their people is an understatement.
If you’ve been considering adoption, or if you saw the news about the break-in and have been wondering how you can help, we’d love to introduce you to pets like Picasso, Ameera, or Shep. Whether you’re ready for a short-term house guest or your next family member, it would be an honor to help you find the right match.
We remain in close communication with APD and are deeply appreciative of their quick response and continued attention to this situation.
Sunday 8/17 update:
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and concern from our community. Many of you have asked for an update about the investigation and how you can help.
Current Status of the Police Investigation and Security at TLAC
We will continue to work with the police investigation and have provided the Austin Police Department (APD) with all available information. The APD has identified the individual responsible and will be issuing a warrant for their arrest. While we do not have a specific timeline for when the warrant will be issued, we will provide an update as soon as it is available.
We held an All-Staff meeting after last week's event where staff suggestions and feedback were given to help reduce something like this happening again. Along with continuing to have a nighttime security guard on campus,we have added a chain and padlock to the gate in addition to the keypad. We also have added heavy carabiners on kennels to reduce the chance of someone easily opening kennel doors. We have also strengthened our emergency call list.
While we know it is impossible to guarantee something like this will never happen again, we are doing everything we can to drastically reduce the chances of another incident. We are looking into the possibility of installing additional safety measures like flood lights and motion sensors. We hope to have more details to share about increased security measures soon.
How you can help during this challenging time
Donate: Our security enhancements will require funding. Monetary donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
Volunteer: We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help us care for our animals and maintain our facility and more.
Foster: Please come in person or email [email protected]. We'd love help with both the dogs directly affected that could use a quieter place than the shelter to recover, and also our other areas busy right now for staff so they can be given some space (like our kitties with ringworm at our Tarrytown location.)
Spread Awareness: Share this update with your networks to help us keep our community informed.
Thursday 8/14 afternoon update:
The dogs missing at the time of our original message have been found. We're grateful that most are okay and are heartbroken that this happened and that sadly one dog has passed. Our dogs, staff and volunteers are going to need time to recover and heal. We've been asked what people can do to help now(thank you). The answer to that is fostering. Please come in person or email [email protected]. We'd love help with both the dogs directly affected that could use a quieter place than the shelter to recover, and also our other areas busy right now for staff so they can be given some space (like our kitties with ringworm at our Tarrytown location.)
Thursday 8/14 morning update:
Overnight, a break-in occurred at Austin Pets Alive!’s Town Lake Animal Center involving a single individual who forcibly entered the facility by damaging the keypad entry system. Once inside, the intruder released the majority of the dogs from their kennels. APA! has overnight security and the security officer tried to contain the dogs but unfortunately, the staff wasn’t notified until close to 6am.
Unfortunately, this incident resulted in several dog altercations. At least five dogs sustained injuries and one tragically passed away. The injured dogs are receiving veterinary care and are currently in stable condition. All cats in the facility are safe and unharmed.
There were many missing dogs as all gates between the parking lot and the kennels were left open but, thanks to staff and volunteers, all have been located, safely, except two dogs, Fish Stick Jones and Lynette, who are currently missing. Volunteers and staff are actively searching both on and off campus. The dogs that have been found are terrified after the ordeal.
Austin Pets Alive! is organizing search parties and inviting volunteers to assist. Those willing to help should visit APA! at 1156 Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX, to get an assignment. Injured dogs like Cowboy Caviar would recover best in a foster home.
“This is an incredibly difficult morning for our team,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President & CEO of Austin Pets Alive!. “The dog that passed was surrounded by people who loved him, and we will be honoring his life in a separate internal announcement. Right now, our priority is the safety of the remaining dogs and finding the two who are still missing and moving terrified dogs to foster homes as fast as we can where they can recover."
Anyone with information or who spots one of the missing dogs is urged to contact Austin Pets Alive! immediately at 512-663-8643.
Please email [email protected] for interviews or additional information.
