Classes are almost over for the semester and students will be leaving town soon-- some for awhile, some forever. Many have acquired pets during their stay in Austin. What will happen to these pets when the students leave? Will they take them along? Will they find them new homes? Or will they be abandoned?
Some people assume their animals will survive when they move away and leave them behind, but in reality many of these "disposable pets" die horrible deaths from starvation, disease, dog attacks, and car accidents. Contrary to popular belief, domestic animals do not automatically return to their "natural" instincts and cannot fend for themselves! Statistics show that cats are abandoned more often than dogs. Many of these cats die, the lucky ones are taken-in by compassionate neighbors, and the rest join feral cat colonies.
So, you ask, what exactly is a feral cat??? Feral cats are the offspring of unaltered domestic cats that have reverted back to their instinctive wariness towards humans. The are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. They are elusive and do not trust humans. Dumpsters are their main source of food. Feral cat colonies can be found behind shopping centers and restaurants, in alleys, parks, and on college campuses -- and UT is no exception!
If you are leaving Austin and cannot take your pet, here are some suggestions: The Austin Humane Society/SPCA (512) 837-7985 is Austin's only private, no-kill pet adoption facility. It is located at 124 W. Anderson Lane (2 blocks west of I35). They take in approximately 3,000 owner-relinquished pets every year and place them into new homes. They keep animals UNTIL they are adopted!
There are also many "pet rescue" groups in and around the Austin area. Call the Campus Cat Coalition at 471-3006 for a listing.
The Town Lake Animal Center (the city pound) at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez (512) 792-4738 will accept unwanted pets and place them up for adoption. This facility is run by the City of Austin and they DO EUTHANIZE adoptable animals after a short period of time because they do not have the space for the large number of animals brought in every day.
Abandoning a dog or cat isn't just wrong; in Texas, it's a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine. If you witness an animal being dumped or would like to report pet abandonment we urge you to contact the Austin/Travis Counry animal cruelty authorities at (512) 792-4738, and ask for the Animal Cruelty Inspector.
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