Have you ever attended an Austin FC match at the Q2 Stadium? If so, you have likely met one of the Austin FC Honorary Mascot dogs! This is the fourth season the MLS club has invited Austin Pets Alive! to introduce Austin FC fans to dogs ready to leave the shelter for a home.
Austin FC has featured dogs from APA! who have survived parvovirus and distemper, dogs who have been injured and use custom wheelchairs and puppies who were born in the care of the shelter. “This unique partnership has increased visibility of the dogs in our shelter who need the love and care that can only be provided in a home,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President and CEO of Austin Pets Alive!. “Our hope is that soccer fans throughout the United States will look to Austin FC’s leadership and adopt animals from their local shelters.”
The 75th Austin FC Honorary Mascot to be adopted is a six-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix named Vin Diesel. This very special dog was in need of medical and behavioral support and has been fostered for more than two years by a family that truly understands the importance of shelter animal lifesaving. This month Vin Diesel was officially adopted by his foster family: Austin FC President Andy Loughnane and Austin Pets Alive! volunteer, Jenn Loughnane.
Austin FC staff and team members have not only provided a platform for shelter dogs to be featured at the Q2 Stadium and online, they have also fostered and adopted dogs from APA! since the MLS club’s inaugural season. “Creating the Honorary Mascot program with Austin Pets Alive! increased awareness of the abundant shelter dog population in the Austin community,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “The overwhelming support of the Austin FC fans and team for the Honorary Mascots has surpassed our expectations, and we look forward to more dogs leaving the shelter for their forever homes.”
District 4 Austin City Council Member Chito Vela read a proclamation from the City of Austin, honoring Austin FC for helping 75 dogs receive the attention needed to help them meet their adopters. It was a “full circle” moment, as many of the Honorary Mascots from Austin Pets Alive! were previously in kennels at the city shelter: Austin Animal Center.
Partnerships like the one forged by Austin FC and Austin Pets Alive! have resulted in more than just adoptions of the Honorary Mascots selected to meet fans before the home matches. It has been an opportunity for APA! to share information about our lifesaving mission, and the constant need for not only adopters, but also fosters, volunteers and donors. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable results of this partnership has been introducing fans to the Honorary Mascots we have given Austin FC-themed names like “Listo”, “Verde”, “Stuuuuv” and “Alright, Alright, Alright”.
During today’s press conference, the next Austin FC Honorary Mascots were introduced: seven week old pit bull mix puppies named Breakfast Taco, Butter Tortilla, Fresh Salsa, and Tito. The puppies will be at the Austin FC home match on September 21st and will be available for adoption on September 22nd.
There are six available Honorary Mascots who have not yet been adopted. If you would like to meet the former Honorary Mascots - or any of the hundreds of available within our care, please email [email protected].
