As 2021 comes to a close, I wanted to provide an update on all the exciting things that have been happening with Austin Boxer Rescue and our affiliated organization in the past 12 months. We are so grateful for all the support we've had from each and every one of our donors and volunteers, and extend a warm welcome to all the new friends who’ve joined us in our network of rescue groups. 

Expanding Our “Pawprint” to Save More Dogs  

Two of the biggest initiatives we completed this year were merging with Lonestar Boxer Rescue of Houston and starting a new chapter in Dallas, DFW Boxer Rescue. Since Austin Boxer Rescue is operating both Lonestar Rescue and DFW Boxer Rescue, the area we cover now includes three of the largest metro areas in the country. As a result, we’re working to find homes for more dogs than ever, making us one of the biggest animal rescues in the state and one of the largest breed-specific rescue groups in the U.S. 

For future sustainability, we need more volunteers and contributions.  Please see links below to donate and for other ways to help!

Donate Now | Other Ways to Help

Austin Boxer Rescue by the Numbers   

As of October 31, Austin Boxer Rescue has taken in a total of 465 dogs, and 408 have been adopted. We have also had 15 Silver Heart and 5 permanent foster adoptions this year. In addition, we have 55 dogs in foster homes and 33 at Hewitt and SoCo as of October 31. Generally, anywhere from 50-65% of the dogs we’re caring for are in foster homes. We work with more than 100 shelters in the state and have 27 vetting partners (between boarding facilities, veterinary emergency rooms and regular vets).

Dallas-Ft. Worth Boxer Rescue by the Numbers  

We officially started working in the DFW area in January 2021 and formed DFW Boxer Rescue on April 8, 2021. We had always worked in conjunction with the other Boxer rescues in DFW and helped whenever there was a need, but had started to see a greater need for our presence in the area this year. 

As of October 31, we’ve pulled 110 boxers in North Texas. We also took in 19 Boxers from other Boxer rescues in the area that needed help, and were able to find foster homes for 13 Boxers that came from Austin and Hewitt who were adopted in the DFW area. We currently have 15 Boxers in North Texas foster homes, and an estimated 60-70% of the dogs we bring into care stay in foster homes in the area. The rest of the dogs that we pull from shelters go to our Hewitt kennel facility, and then to foster homes in other areas.

New Grant Application Program  

Thanks to the efforts of a new volunteer who is a professional grant writer, we’ve applied for 25 grants this year for supplies, dog beds and other critical items, as well as funding. We’ve already received funding for new beds at the Hewitt Kennel facility. We also are very excited that we were a recipient of a $10,000 grant towards care for our senior and Silver Heart fosters from the Grey Muzzle Organization!  We will continue to apply for whatever grants are available. 

We couldn’t continue our mission without our donors and volunteers, and appreciate all you do, especially as the past 18 months have brought so much heartbreak and challenges to so many of you. We wish all of you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving and holiday season, and look forward to our continued work together to save these wonderful dogs.

Thank you and happy holidays!

Jen Pope

President, Austin Boxer Rescue and DFW Boxer Rescue