Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Austin Boxer Rescue (ABR)? We recently had the opportunity to chat with a kennel staffer and get the inside scoop on how they care for and rehabilitate the lovable Boxer dogs that come through their doors.
More Than Just a Kennel
The ABR kennel is an integral part of Austin Boxer Rescue’s mission to save and rehome Boxers in need. Unlike many rescues that rely solely on foster homes, ABR has a dedicated facility. This allows us to respond quickly to urgent situations, pulling dogs from overcrowded shelters without delay.
The kennel serves as a safe haven where these dogs get immediate care, including medical attention and behavioral assessments, while they await placement in loving foster homes before finding their forever families. This significantly increases the number of Boxers we can rescue, giving them a second chance at life.
A Day in the Life
The kennel is temperature controlled for the safety and comfort of our rescues and staff, and holds up to 34 dogs. It’s a bustling hub of activity, with staff members working tirelessly to ensure the dogs enjoy the best possible care.
The kennel staff follows a well-structured routine to ensure the dogs’ well-being. Mornings and afternoons are dedicated to outdoor time in spacious yard runs, where the dogs can exercise and play. While they’re outside the indoor runs are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
Afterward, the dogs return to their individual runs for meals. This consistent schedule provides stability and helps the dogs adjust to their temporary environment.
Enrichment and Socialization
ABR understands that Boxers are active and intelligent dogs that require plenty of physical and mental stimulation. To give them a good outlet for their energy, the kennel provides a variety of toys and chew bones for indoor and outdoor play.
Additionally, dedicated volunteers visit the kennel regularly to take the dogs on walks, providing them with valuable exercise and exposure to different environments. Some volunteers also assist with behavioral assessments, helping to match dogs with suitable foster homes. Supervised enrichment time in the lobby or field trips offer further opportunities for socialization and mental engagement.
A Personalized Approach to Care
Recognizing that every dog is unique, ABR takes a personalized approach to care and training. The kennel staff carefully observes each dog’s behavior and interactions, noting any preferences or challenges. This information is shared among the team to ensure consistent handling and individualized care.
For example, since the kennel doesn’t have any visual barriers and the dogs can see each other, dogs that don’t get along with neighboring dogs are strategically placed in different runs. Older dogs receive extra comfort measures, such as soft bedding. Dogs with specific behavioral needs, like fence jumping or toy destruction, have their runs and enrichment activities adjusted accordingly.
When dogs are extremely scared or timid, the staff works with foster coordinators to get them into a home as quickly as possible. By paying close attention to each dog’s needs, ABR strives to create a positive and supportive environment for all.
Encouraging Health and Well-Being
ABR truly cares about the health of our furry friends. When a new dog arrives, they get a thorough physical and spend a five-day quarantine period in their own room. During this time, they also get medicine to make sure they don’t have any worms, and preventative care for fleas and ticks. ABR works with a local veterinarian in Temple who provides weekly spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations.
The kennel staff coordinates transportation for these appointments, ensuring the dogs get timely medical care. For emergencies outside of regular business hours, ABR has a relationship with a local emergency vet clinic.
Addressing Emotional Needs
ABR knows that many rescue dogs experience emotional and behavioral challenges stemming from past experiences. While they’re at the kennel, the dogs get basic behavioral assessments and training, including leash work and routines, to help prepare them for their transition to a foster family.
While the kennel provides a safe and structured environment, foster homes offer the best setting for these dogs to heal and thrive. In a home environment, dogs receive individualized attention, consistent guidance, and the opportunity to build trust. The kennel staff works closely with foster coordinators to get dogs placed into suitable foster homes based on their needs.
How Can You Help?
The ABR kennel relies heavily on the support of the community and volunteers, and we are very grateful for all the love, time and attention they provide our rescue pups. We’re always in need of foster homes, volunteers to walk dogs and assist with kennel projects, and transporters to help move dogs to and from the kennel for Adoption Days.
We need volunteers for Sunday mornings to walk dogs around the neighborhood and sometimes bathe them, depending on how many volunteers show up. This is a great group project for companies or organizations looking for team volunteer opportunities.
We also have volunteer days at the kennel a couple of times a year. That’s when we tackle larger projects like repairs and deep cleaning that require more people than we usually have onsite. We also need volunteers to help evaluate the dogs to place them in the foster homes that best meet their needs, and to take dogs out on field trips or spend time in the lobby for supervised enrichment time.
If you can’t volunteer in person, a wonderful way to show your support is by purchasing items we need for the kennel – like dog beds, cleaning supplies and treats – from our Amazon wish list.
If you’re a Boxer lover looking to make a difference, ABR would love to have you join our volunteer team. Together, we can help ensure that every Boxer in need finds a loving home.