THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL AMPLIFY AUSTIN!

We are grateful to you for your support! We are awaiting final numbers with matching bonuses, but it appears we made over $12,000. We received $723 as our part of Animal Care and Services match and expect to receive a bonus for 100% Board Participation.

It's so nice to see our adopters, former inmate trainers, friends, family, and even other animal rescues support us! These funds are critical to surviving the year!

Together we can save more than dogs!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CRATE TRAINING

It can be a controversial topic but Paws in Prison support the use of crates for our adopters. The use of crates is especially important for the dogs that graduate from our program!

When we bring a dog into the prison, they are coming from an animal shelter cage. Before that, their lives varied but a lot of them were roaming strays. They are then brought into another locked environment, but they have the constant companionship of our inmates. When they are not with their trainer, a crate is used and is a place of safe harbor and comfort for the dogs.

When a dog is adopted from us, it could the first time it has ever been inside a home! In addition, they have spent at least 8 weeks with constant companionship. The transition to a home environment filled with new noises and smells and a new routine can be overwhelming. The new Owner undoubtably cannot spend 24/7 with their new companion. Even darkness can be new for the dog- and trees and squirrels! Common sounds like hair dryers, televisions, vacuums, and other appliances can cause anxiety.

If the adopted dog has the consistency of the crate from their prison life, the comfort of their safe harbor can give them a place to adjust to their new world and pave the way for a smoother adoption. Destructive behaviors and anxieties can be avoided by the introduction of the crate for at least the first 3 months. Later, you may find that the dog will voluntarily enter the crate and stay with the door open!

Here are some articles to help with crate training....

"It has been five months since Doug and I adopted Fonzie from Paws in Prison. The time has flown by, but we are enjoying every day with him.

With our adoption packet we got some useful information, including a handout regarding the 3-3-3 (*see below image for rescue timeline theory) of incorporating Fonzie into our family, which helped us understand what Fonzie really needed. We've adapted really well to our life together. Fonzie is just the happiest little guy! He is eager to wake up every morning and greets us with a huge tail wag and head tilt. Every day with him is filled with fun and laughs, as he absolutely loves toys and is very silly with them.

He is a tiny adventurer, always open to exploring the neighborhood. While he may only be 12 pounds, he is happiest when he walks between 3 and 4 miles each day, but he's also a pro at relaxing. After a good walk followed by a play sesh, he loves to lay right next to us or on our laps, especially if a blanket is involved. In the colder weather, he loves to make a little blanket burrito for himself using both teeth and paws; in the warmer weather, it looks like he's going to opt for being the gravy on a heap of blanket mashed potatoes.

He has also used his blanket-snuggle superpowers when the weather is particularly gray, or when we Doug or I don't feel well. Our little dude has a positive disposition with lots of people, which has expanded our connection to the community around us. He even eagerly greeted a couple of people that entered our home for an emergency repair! Recently we have also started exploring SniffSpots so that he can get some off leash time.

Thanks to the great training and socialization Fonzie got from his handlers and Paws in Prison, he – and we – have been set up for success. We're looking forward to building on the great training he got there in the very near future. Doug and I talk so frequently about the ways he has enriched our lives. We cannot be more appreciative of y'all!" Sharlene E

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US SAVE MORE THAN DOGS!

We're sorry if we omitted any names from those of you who helped us in any capacity this month, but we do not always know the names of our Paws in Prison angels! Thank you to Alamo Area Toy Dog Club, Consciously Raising, Kim L, Kimberly M, Sons of God Ministries, and Ashlee W! Special thanks to the 104 donors for Amplify Austin!

Monthly donations, no matter the size, help us know what we can count on each month. Thank you to Sharlene E, Daniel H, Marcus L, Debbie M, Jennifer K, Shelly R, and Diana S for your continued support!