Prickly Pear Pet Care

02/07/2020

Hey y’all! It’s that time of year again and although Austin’s official downtown display has been cancelled there are sure to be plenty of fireworks all over the city this weekend. Take some time today to ensure your property is secure and your pets are prepared to endure your neighbor’s party. 🇺🇸

05/08/2019

🚨 ATTENTION! Do NOT let your dog(s) swim in Lady Bird Lake aka Town Lake until further notice from the city! A friend of a client has shared with us a personal horror story about her dog barely surviving exposure to the toxin in the blue green algae after swimming there yesterday. 🚨

We are advising pet owners to keep their animals out of Lady Bird Lake until further notice out of an abundance caution. This is due to the potential presence of a specific algae that could be harmful to animals.

Water testing is underway, but will take a few days to complete. When testing is complete, more information will be made available.

This is not impacting the City's drinking water.

15/05/2018

12/04/2017

Happy ! We'd like to share a message from the founder herself, Colleen Paige. 👏👏👏

"I believe all animals are sentient beings that deserve our love and compassion... No animal should ever have to suffer, especially at the hand of humans... I'd like to ask animal lovers everywhere to pledge to give $5 a month to their favorite animal shelter or rescue to help support animals in need... Think of how much that would change the world for unwanted pets...especially if it were to become a global trend."

http://www.petdayusa.com/

31/10/2016

"Whatever you do Lola, DON'T...TURN...AROUND..."
🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN(IE DOG) Y'ALL!!! 👻

16/09/2016

We're excited to join team Love-A-Bull for tomorrow's Best Friends Animal Society - Strut Your Mutt charity walk! It just so happens Walter E Long Municipal Park is one of our favorite local spots to romp too. BONUS!
Online registration is now closed but it's not too late to donate or register in person tomorrow morning. There are many local animal welfare organizations involved who need financial support. We hope to see you there!

Strut Your Mutt is an annual charity dog walk. Money raised goes to help homeless dogs and cats being cared for by shelters and rescue groups.

28/08/2016

Tito was such a great first mate at the Paddle for Puppies event this morning! We had a terrific time floating with new friends. Austin Pets Alive! sure knows how to put the "fun" in fundraising. Well done everyone! 👏🚣🐶

26/08/2016

Happy National Dog Day! It's the perfect time to pay tribute and contribute to the lives of our furry best friends. Whether they share your home or have yet to find one of their own let them know you love them. 💚

"National Dog Day celebrates all breeds, pure and mixed and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues. National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort."

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24/08/2016

Howdy! Long time, no see!
There's a wonderful dog-friendly fundraiser this weekend and we just had to spread the word in case you hadn't heard. The 5th Annual Paddle for Puppies event is this Sunday, 8/28 down on Lady Bird Lake. Bring your own canoe, kayak, or SUP or rent one from Rowing Dock and float downtown with us! Registration fees directly benefit the Parvo Puppy Program at Austin Pets Alive!. It's going to be a lot of fun and we hope to see y'all there.

Annual charity water paddle event benefiting the Austin Pets Alive! Parvo Program - hosted by Austin Subaru and Rowing Dock on Town Lake

02/06/2015

May 2015 was the wettest month on record in Texas. Over 37 TRILLION gallons of rain fell across the state. Many people and their pets were displaced due to the extreme flood conditions. While it's hard to predict the severity of natural disasters there are some simple steps you can take to be prepared for the worst.

June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Having a plan and supplies at the ready can make all the difference. The article below was published in 2013 but is just as useful today as it was when it was written.

If you are interested in learning more specifically how to protect your pet in an emergency here are links to some of the regularly held disaster preparedness and pet first aid classes in Austin.

http://www.austinpetfirstaid.com/
http://www.petfirstaidaustin.com/
http://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/austin-dog-training/training-programs/pettech-cpr-first-aid-classes/

Sometimes all of the unofficial national "holidays" and awareness months that keep cropping up seem excessive. Do we really need a National Hug Your Cat Day?! But I think the new movement to make June National Pet Preparedness Month is a really good one, and a nice complement to September's Nation…

04/05/2015

May is a particularly important month for pets. There are so many celebrations and awareness campaigns taking place in the days ahead.
Today marks the start of "Puppy Mill Action Week".

Puppy mills are commercial dog breeding facilities that place profit ahead of animal welfare. To maximize profit female dogs are overbred and are forced to endure constant pregnancy cycles. The pace and disregard of breeding practices promotes severe behavioral and hereditary defects in the puppies who are often sold too young and with chronic health problems. All dogs in these facilities are neglected, severely ill, and often barely surviving in deplorable, and threatening living conditions. Dogs deserve so much more!

There are many avenues to help in making puppy mills a thing of the past. Here are some links to further information and opportunities to take action:

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/
http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2015/05/puppy-mills-horrible-hundred-report-2015.html
http://nopetstorepuppies.com/puppy-mills-are-cruel

While thousands of dogs are destroyed in animal control facilities throughout Texas each year, underground puppy mills in untold numbers churn out thousands of puppies each week to be sold at pet stores, on websites or through newspaper ads.

23/04/2015

Our friends at are celebrating their 3 year anniversary!!! Join us at the party tonight from 7-9! We've been bringing our playcare pups by since the early trailer days and regularly grab a bite on their pet friendly patio. Congratulations Sue and the crew! Here's to the many years to come!

20/04/2015

When we enter homes for a dog walk or a pet sitting visit we always scan your pet's environment for potential hazards and do what we can to ensure they're as safe as possible. There are many hidden dangers present in any home that often go overlooked. TexVetPets has put together a great article to remind everyone what to look out for. Check it out!

Our common household items pose as dangers for our pets; learn what they are and how to prevent our pets from getting hurt by them.

16/04/2015

We feel it's critical that law enforcement officials in Texas receive mandatory canine encounter training to put an end to the fatal mistakes that have ended the lives of so many loved companions in our communities. Please take a moment to call your representative and show your support for HB 593!

ACTION: PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK HIM OR HER TO VOTE "YES" ON HB 593 THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015

11/04/2015

Happy National Pet Day!!! We celebrate all pets 24/7/365. It's our job and we wouldn't have it any other way. When you're lovin' on your feline friends and canine companions please consider those who are still waiting to find their forever families. Shelter pets everywhere need our help and there are so many ways to share the love. Donation, volunteer, foster, and adoption programs exist near you. A little time can make a big difference.

10/04/2015

Austin Animal Center is full up of small pups! These lil guys only take up a small space in your home but a big place in your heart.

HELP! Austin Animal Center is FULL of small dogs! These small fries need homes to call their own. Here is a sampling of the over 60 small dogs we have at AAC right now. Many of these pups would love to be reunited with their owners or adopted by new families!

10/04/2015

Summer comes early to Austin. Though the official first day of spring was less than a few weeks ago the intensity of the sun has caused temperatures to reach well into the 80's. While this may not feel hot to the average Austinitie it creates all to often overlooked dangers for dogs! Take a moment to review some helpful tips described in this article to ensure you are doing what you can to protect your pet!

Hot pavement and metal surfaces are hard for dogs to avoid in summer. Learn how to recognize symptoms of burned pads and follow tips to minimize risk.

04/04/2015

We had a blast at The Mighty Texas Dog Walk today with our friend Jade from Austin Pet Stylist and her pup Gizmo! While Stratton didn't have much to contribute to the GIANT furball Jade and her grooming clients sure did. Altogether 307 pounds of hair were collected and a new Guinness World Record was set!!! It was a great gathering and fun fundraiser for Service Dogs, Inc. We look forward to next year!

01/04/2015

Due to the rapidly increasing population of snail lovers across Austin and the subsequent high demand for pet sitters and walkers we have made the necessary decision to shift our care offerings strictly to gastropods. Our walks alone now take on average 4-6 hours to to cover the same ground we once could in 30 minutes with our dog clients. We are happy to refer our primarily mammalian client base to other professional pet sitters in the city. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we make this transition.

31/03/2015

One of Austin's biggest dog gatherings is only 5 days away! The Mighty Texas Dog Walk will take place this Saturday, April 4th at Auditorium Shores. This event is the largest annual fundraiser for Service Dogs, Inc. Service Dogs, Inc. is an important non-profit organization that trains Hearing Dogs and Service Dogs to assist people with disabilities. There is still time to officially register your dog(s) to walk and have a chance at winning one of the many great prizes. If you've got a fluffy pup get to brushing and you could help break their current Guinness World Record for the Largest Furball!!!
It's gonna be a good time y'all.

Check Out Our Games & Prizes! REGISTER Saturday, April 4, 2015The Doggiest Day in Austin! Pre-Registeration: $20/dog, extra humans walk for free! Day Of Registraion: $30/dog, extra humans walk for free! Online registration is open!(Click on REGISTER or REGISTER A TEAM on this page.) In Person Pre-R…

26/03/2015

Oh, the mysteries of kitties...

“The cat is within fifty yards,” my companion, Vermont wildlife biologist Frosty Hammond, announced as he slowly swung what looked like a rooftop TV antenna in an arc, listening for a chirping sound. We were standing in a snowy driveway in Springfield, VT. A few weeks earlier, Frosty had been tracki…

23/03/2015

Happy National Puppy Day! There are adorable young pups awaiting adoption everywhere. When you're ready to welcome a young dog into your pack there are so many great reasons to look no further than your local shelter.

Thinking of getting a new pet? Find out why you should adopt, not shop.

22/03/2015

The wet and warm weather we've been experiencing is making the Austin grass grow so fast! Does your pup like to break dance on the lawn? Here's some insightful reasons as to why they do!

Ever notice a dog rolling in grass and ask yourself – WHY? Most experts believe there are several possible reasons as to why dogs like rolling in the grass.

21/03/2015

This is a great little guide for behaviors to watch for when engaging dogs whether they be your own or others you meet on the street. It's easy to miss these not so noticeable indications of discomfort. Being conscious of these cues can protect you and your pet!

Dogs showing signs of fear or stress are not just being worried or scared, they are actually asking for a situation or an interaction to change. It's up to US to change the situation so the dog doesn't feel this way! Helping dogs feel less worried is the best way to prevent dog bites and keep yourself and your family safe!

12/03/2015

Come out and meet some adorable adoptable pups this Saturday!

12/03/2015

Check out this interesting little article about your fellow Texans favorite dog and cat breeds via Pet's Best Insurance. We love that "Mixed Breed" is at the top of the dog list!

Pet insurance is a great way ensure the best medical care your furry family in an emergency. Pets Best Insurance, Trupanion, and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance are just a few of the options out there to protect your pets!

Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading U.S. pet insurance agency, released its annual list of the top 10 most popular dog and cat breeds enrolled with the agency in the state of Texas in 2014.

06/03/2015

It's the final hour of ! We saw y'all out on the roads between our pet sitting visits this afternoon heading home from work early to get those donations in! Now is the best time!

In 2014 All Things Wild Rehabilitation (ATW) celebrated its second birthday. Even as a young organization, we were busy saving wild birds and animals and educating the public about wildlife in Central Texas. Our dedicated volunteer rehabilitators treated over 600 wild animals, and, at the same time,…

06/03/2015

has 11 hours to go! Today is a great day to make a difference in the lives of animals across central Texas. There are so many animal welfare organizations to choose from. Check em out!

Our passion is wildlife rehabilitation, but it is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. Our volunteer rehabilitators are working in their homes where they are saving wild animals in their utility rooms and backyards. We need to provide a better place for the animals and rehabilitators by b…

06/03/2015

It's begun... is officially underway! It looks like well over $450,000 have been raised for Austin non-profits within the first hour!

We've decided to make our second "Paws 4 A Cause" donation during Amplify Austin with hopes that it will make even more of an impact during the event than it would on it's own. Tomorrow morning we'll be making our regional donation to Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary of Dripping Springs, Texas during their "POWER HOUR". Donating between 6 AM - 7 AM will help them reach their goal of winning the bonus $1,000 for having the most contributions in one hour AND raising $5,000 which will then be met dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor! Please consider making a contribution to Thundering Paws or any of the other animal welfare non-profits participating in this awesome 24 hour event. Every contribution helps!

Thundering Paws is a no-kill, non-profit animal sanctuary located near south Austin in Dripping Springs, Texas (just miles from the Y in Oak Hill). We are home to an ever-changing number of animals, mostly cats, a few dogs and rabbits. We provide our beloved residents shelter, food, water, spaying/n…

05/03/2015

Hi y'all! It's an exciting day! Starting tonight at 6 PM "I Live Here, I Give Here" kicks off their 3rd annual 24 hour fundraising event!
is a simple and exciting way to support many of the non-profits in and around the Austin area. There are 40 different animal welfare groups fundraising during Amplify Austin to choose from! Each organization has it's own page with a link to make quick and secure online donations. Your generosity has the potential to go further during the event with many donors pledging to match contributions and prizes for non-profits who raise the most in a certain span of time. This is the best time to help. Please consider joining us and countless Austin animal lovers in making a difference in the lives of animals in our local community!

A Legacy of Giving's mission is to empower children through philanthropy education and youth philanthropy programs to become more engaged in improving their communities and their world. The mission is based on the belief that if children learn to be compassionate problem-solvers while young, they wi…

03/03/2015

We've got a lot of furry friends in our family! Here's a few of our favorite photos from our dog walks and pet sitting visits. Enjoy!