Dear Lifesaving Friends,

The end of every year is a perfect occasion for gratitude and reflection; a time to look forward to a more hopeful and promising future. This past year, however, has put a mark on my heart that will be a hard one to get over. The uptick in code reds, terrified owner surrendered pets, starving and injured strays, neglected moms with babies, and rescues around the country lacking adequate space to take in some of the many thousands of vulnerable animals has been very trying on myself and my team. While I am BEYOND grateful for all of you, who continue to stand beside us with the dogs and cats most at risk of being killed, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness for all the precious lives lost.

Even without a proper shelter or kennel space, SAPA! continues to be a leading lifesaver in San Antonio, day in and day out, and this is due to the commitment, support, and advocacy from regular citizens like YOU who make this very difficult work possible. I know it can be devastating, seeing photos, or hearing sad stories, looking in the faces of dogs or cats who have nowhere to turn, but it is important to know what is happening in San Antonio, especially when the issue of uncared for and unwanted pets is this out of control, and frankly, getting worse.

No friendly, healthy, adoptable dog or cat should have to be euthanized. What makes all the hard days all worth it though, is seeing dogs jumping for joy when they know they are finally in a safe place. Puppies wiggling with delight when they get a new toy or a bone or cuddles from a team member or a foster. Cats and kittens climbing up onto our shoulders and purring with happiness and contentment, knowing they will be looked after and loved. Please spread the word to friends and family, that adopting and fostering saves lives. Rest assured knowing that you helped save nearly 5,000 of the most thankful dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens this year alone. Together, we will continue our mission, preventing precious pets from being killed due to lack of space, adopter, or foster.

Warm Regards,

Rebecca Mayberry
San Antonio Pets Alive! Executive Director 

December 17 & 18, 2022 | All SAPA! Locations 

Adopt More Merry! Meet your next furry family member at the Petco Love Make More Merry Mega Adoption Event.

During this season of joy, Petco Love, BOBS from Skechers, and several Texas based animal welfare organizations are teaming up for a mega adoption event, Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18. We encourage people to come to any of our three locations – Building One Rescue Center, Petco Love Adoption Center, and our Medical Care Center and browse our available dogs and cats on our website. Adoption fees are being waived, AND adoptions include exciting offers from Petco!

December 17, 2022 | Hotel Emma's Larder Patio

Join us tomorrow, December 17th from 11am- 1pm at Hotel Emma's Larder Patio (Larder, 136 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215) to celebrate the season with ugly sweaters, furry friends, and your festive holiday best! Purchase raffle tickets with the chance to win special prizes every 30 minutes — all proceeds for the raffle and a portion of featured wine sales will be donated to San Antonio Pets Alive!. This event is free and open to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated and encouraged.

Give the Gift of Health by sponsoring a dog or a cat on their journey to wellness!

San Antonio Pets Alive! is the last chance for many of the dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies that end up on the city shelter’s euthanasia list. Many of these vulnerable animals have sustained injuries and illnesses from being abandoned or surrendered and left to fend for themselves. They need our help! Your Gift of Health ensures that these once-at-risk dogs and cats in our communities receive comfort, safety, love, and the best care possible.

By making a gift, YOU can be part of the solution. Make a gift today by clicking here. 

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. We are happy to announce that San Antonio Pets Alive! exceeded its Giving Tuesday goal of $70,000! Because of your generosity, we can keep saving at-risk dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies and provide them the gift of health this holiday season.  

Antonio is 10 years old and recently lost his sweet pup, Gucci, at the age of 14. He grew up with Gucci and has known her his whole life. Her death was really hard on him, and he wanted to honor her by giving back to pets in need. Antonio said, "I want as many pets to not have to suffer."

He suggested to his dad, Will, to set up a GoFundMe account, and they were touched by the gifts that came in from their friends and family. The title of the GoFundMe page was "My son's wish to give other animals a chance." Last month, Antonio and his family came by to see the plaque that was created in honor of Gucci. Fig, a five-month-old parvo survivor, is currently staying in this sponsored kennel, and the Silva family was able to meet this scared yet precious pup. 

Thank you Antonio, not only for your empathy and kindness for animals in need, but for proving that kids can and will make a difference!

Not many people jump at the chance to foster disabled animals. Daily diaper changing, bath time, or caring for blind cats and kittens is certainly no easy feat. Thankfully, we have Maria, our go-to guru for these most hard-to place cats and kittens! In more than four years of fostering, Maria has nurtured and saved 190+ cats and kittens, more than 35 cats and kittens this year alone- helping them to find forever families of their very own. Thank you, Maria, for taking the toughest cases and turning them into healthy and lovable family members!

Goldie has been with SAPA! since the beginning, specializing in tiny bottle baby puppies – and my goodness, after a few weeks of caring for them, she gets them to be chunky little pups! She and her daughter, Rebecca, work tirelessly and selflessly, attending to their needs around the clock. After 700 plus little puppies, and 35+ puppies this year alone, Goldie is a true lifesaver! Thank you, Goldie, for your tireless and selfless dedication to helping our most vulnerable babies.

Our distinguished supporter has contributed to SAPA! for more than five years. Dr. Young goes above and beyond in supporting SAPA! and its mission, making a significant impact to help sustain SAPA! and its operations. Dr. Young is one of the most recognized board-certified plastic surgeons in San Antonio. He has developed a first-class reputation for excellence in South Central Texas and has been in practice for more than 30 years.

Dr. Young and his team have been longtime supporters of San Antonio Pets Alive! since early 2016. Dr. Young has two rescue cats and is passionate about lifesaving. His support has been vital to our organization's success and to San Antonio’s most at-risk animals. Dr. Young gives multiple large gifts each year and spreads the word about SAPA! to his team and clients.

San Antonio Pets Alive! has many cats and dogs that have been with us for more than 200 days. We have launched our "Forget Me Not" campaign highlighting our long-stay animals to help find them their forever family.

Tank is literally built like a tank. He is a squishy, lovey, timid big boy. Tank is mastering being crate trained and learning to go outside for potty. Tank is a great big cuddler! At 9 months, Tank is 50 pounds.

Tank would love to set up a meet and greet and have a forever home for the holidays! 

As bold and brave as her name, Nefertiti is an outspoken cat! She will gladly let you know if she needs something from you whether its cuddles, pets, or more food! She enjoys the company of humans but can be spicy when it comes to other cats, unless they are smaller than her!