Our mission: To balance the health, safety, and welfare needs of canines in the Central Texas area by providing nourishment and a safe environment for unwanted, stray, abused, and impounded Boxers. Once placed in new homes they become more than just pets, they become family.
FAQs
Below are some of our frequently asked questions, if you have additional questions please email Austin Boxer Rescue at: Info@austinboxerrescue.com
Application and Organization Questions:
How long does the adoption process take? Typically, it takes two weeks or less to adopt a dog through Austin Boxer Rescue (ABR). The process begins when you submit your application. We ask that you be prepared to adopt (i.e., moved into new house, done with vacationing, etc.) before you submit an application. It becomes difficult for volunteers tracking all the applications if you're not ready to adopt when you submit an application. If something occurs after you submit your application that will delay adoption, please contact ABR and we will file your application and take it off the active list. When you are ready to adopt again, we ask that you please submit a new application to restart the process.
What are your Adoption Fees? There is a $25.00 fee for a volunteer to come to your house for a home visit. This fee is non-refundable, but will be applied to the adoption fee when the adoption is finalized. Our adoptions fees are as follows: -Boxer $250 (adult- 11 months to 5 yrs ), $350 (pure breed puppy- up to 10 months ), $400 (bonded pairs) -Boxer Mix Puppy up to 10 months $200, Boxer Mix Adult $150 -Non-boxers $75 -Senior Dogs (5 years to 8 yrs or older) are $150 to adopt -Over 8 yrs seeking permament fosters- no fee will be collected NOTE: Adoption Fees will be determined by the organization prior to adoption and are not negotiable
I am moving in a month and want to adopt a Boxer through ABR. Should I put in an application now? We ask that you please wait until after you are settled into your new home before submitting an application and adopting a boxer. There are enough changes in the boxer's life just going to a new home, and moving again shortly after being adopted only interrupts their lives more. Also, due to the number of applications ABR receives and limited volunteer resources, we can only proceed with applicants ready to adopt immediately.
I am going on vacation soon, but want to adopt when I return. Should I put in an application now to start the process? Again, we ask that you please wait until after you are home from vacation and settled back into normal life before submitting an application and adopting a boxer. We want both you and your new family member to have all the time you need to get acquainted with each other. Also, due to the number of applications ABR receives and limited volunteer resources, we can only proceed with applicants ready to adopt immediately.
Can I meet dogs before I fill out an application? Yes, you can meet dogs at our adoption days. However, if you fall in love with a dog before your application is submitted and approved, you could get disappointed when an approved applicant adopts the dog you have fallen in love with. We do not have the capability to hold dogs for anyone.
Where is your facility/shelter where I can meet the Boxers in rescue? ABR does not have a main facility or shelter. The dogs are in foster homes and the only way to meet them is to start the adoption process by filling out an online application or joining us during an adoption day. Visit the calendar page of the ABR website for the next adoption day or event.
Why does ABR give a new family a 72-hour trial period before adopting a Boxer? Dogs are living beings with their own personalities and behaviors. We have seen, on several occasions, dogs go into a home and their behavior changes. Our foster families work through many behavioral problems with these dogs and if the environment changes and a new family does not continue the current training, the dog can revert back to its old ways. The 72-hour period ensures that the family and the dog will all be happy and the family can make sure this is the boxer for them.
If I take a dog for a 72 hour trial period and fall in love, what do I do? Please contact ABR and let us know and you have officially adopted the boxer. ABR will then mail you the boxer's veterinary records and tags
What is kennel cough? Kennel cough is a cold that dogs typically get from shelters or kennels. Most of the dogs rescued from a shelter will develop an upper respiratory infection. It is not life threatening and can be easily treated with medication. Please make sure that any dogs already in your home are current on the bordatella vaccination before you adopt a Boxer. Please contact ABR if your adopted Boxer begins coughing, sneezing, or has clear yellow or green discharge coming from its nose.
How do you treat kennel cough? The disease is usually self-limiting (like a cold) and, if a viral infection is suspected, antibiotics can't kill the virus. If the case is mild and uncomplicated, treatment is not necessary and the virus will run its course. A mild to moderate cough without other symptoms is usually self-limiting. Occasional cases become lingering and can cause chronic bronchitis, which is why it's important to seek advice from your vet. If it is a more severe case, then a cough suppressant and antibiotics (to prevent secondary infections) are given under the supervision of a vet. The time the dog first contracts the infections to when the symptoms develop is between 3 and 10 days. These symptoms can last for several days to several weeks. If your boxer does present symptoms of kennel cough please contact ABR and we can recommend the next steps to take.
Can kennel cough be prevented? Yes, a vet administered bordatella vaccination will prevent your boxer from contracting kennel cough, but because there are multiple strains of kennel cough the vaccination does not protect against every strain.
What is heartworm disease? Heartworm disease is a common condition in dogs in Texas. It is recommended that dogs be on monthly heartworm prevention year round which can only be purchased in your veterinarian's office. Transmission occurs when a mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests baby heartworms, which live in the bloodstream. When the insect bites another dog, some of the baby heartworms are injected under the skin. They grow for 3 to 4 months and eventually make their way into the heart. Once in the heart, the worms become adults and the cycle continues. The "load" of worms in the heart can be mild to severe, with the more severe cases causing more strain on the heart. If left untreated, heartworm disease can be fatal.
Can I prevent my dog from getting heartworms? Heartworm infection is an easily preventable disease in dogs. There is a monthly prevention pill that will protect your dog from getting the disease. This prevention pill is available only through your vet.
How do I know if my dog has heartworms? Your vet will able to run a test and tell you whether or not your dog has been infected. It is recommended that this test be ran yearly, even for dogs on monthly prevention. Symptoms don't usually develop until significant damage has already occurred to the heart. Dogs can have a wide range of symptoms, with some having no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually occur because of heart failure and include: coughing or coughing up blood, heavy or difficult breathing, unwillingness or intolerance to exercise, and signs of congestive heart failure, including fluid distention of the belly and pulsation of the jugular veins in the neck.
Can heartworms be treated? Yes, but treatment is expensive and hard on a dog. A dog receives a series of injections into the muscles of their back. The regular treatment consists of two injections for two consecutive days. The split treatment consists of one (1) injection one month prior to the regular treatment. The prevention pill is then started one month after the two consecutive injections and is continued for the dog's life. Heartworms will not return if the prevention pill is given monthly for the life of your dog. If the prevention pill is discontinued at any point, the dog is then at risk of re-infection. If you adopt a boxer that has been treated for heartworms, ABR or your vet will go over the "\do's and don'ts in detail before you take the dog home. Most important is to keep your dog calm for six (6) weeks after the last injection. Exercise restriction is very important because as the drugs are killing the worms in the arteries, the worms can break off and travel to block parts of the blood vessels. This is known as pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). PTE results in obstruction of the blood flow to parts of the lung, is very serious, and can be fatal. Keeping the dog quiet allows the body time to slowly break down and absorb the dying worms. Ideally, a dog should remain crated to ensure a calm environment.
Are there complications to heartworm treatment? The major complication to treatment is PTE. PTE is associated with signs of fever, heavy or fast breathing, and coughing. Observation of any of these critical signs necessitates a visit to your emergency vet center. In its worst form, PTE can result in sudden death. Back pain is often noted as a minor complication of the injections into the muscles of the back, but it usually relieved within a week.
Boxer Traits and Characteristics:
Are boxers good family dogs? Yes they are great family dogs. See Vandy (dog rescued by ABR) in action protecting a toddler from a rattle snake.
Is a Boxer the right breed for me? We highly recommend that you research the Boxer breed thoroughly before bringing a Boxer home. Your local library or bookstore will contain books specifically about Boxers. You can also find online sources to research the breed. After you've researched the breed, come to an adoption day to see their dispositions and get a better sense of the breed.
What are the typical personalities of Boxers? Boxers are very high energy dogs. They were bred to be working dogs and they require exercise and obedience training to ensure that they are happy. Most Boxers are great family dogs, but without the proper training and exercise, Boxers can begin having behavioral problems.
What are some common major health problems of the breed? Boxers are notorious for getting cancer. It is essential to treat every lump that comes up on your Boxer as malignant and see your veterinarian immediately to have it checked and removed if necessary. Another common problem that Boxers have is heart problems. The best way to monitor your Boxer's heart is by taking your dog in for a checkup with your veterinarian at least once a year.
What are some behaviors that I can anticipate when adopting my new Boxer? Jumping up on people, counters, etc. – Boxers love to "box", therefore they spend quite a bit of time on their hind legs. This is great for playtime but can become annoying quite quickly when it occurs when it is not acceptable. This is a behavior that can be remedied easily with training.
Front door bolting – It is common for a newly adopted dog to bolt out the font door when it opens. Once a dog gets out the front door, they can be hit by a car, can cause a long "chase", and even be lost forever. Even though you know that your home is your dog's new home, they are unaware of this yet due to all the activity in their past. Emphasize this to your dog by telling him he's home. It can take several months for a dog to settle in and realize that he is indeed home. The safest thing is to have a crate available so when friends and family come in and out the door, the dog is safe in the crate. If a crate is not readily available, be sure to keep a collar on your boxer so you can grab the collar and have a tight hold of your boxer when you open the door. If your Boxer does get out, please contact ABR and we will help look for your missing dog.
Fence jumping – The ABR volunteer that was fostering your new boxer can usually tell if they're a fence jumper. If the boxer is identified as a fence jumper, this means they can easily jump or scale a 6-foot fence. There are some simple and easy ways to prevent the dog from getting out. If you have a fence jumper, please contact ABR for more info. One thing to remember is to never leave your fence-jumping Boxer outside unattended.
Can I breed a dog adopted from ABR? No. ABR is working to help reduce the current population of unwanted, abused, and neglected boxers and will not contribute to bringing more into the world. All Boxers are spayed or neutered before leaving the rescue program.
I already own a female boxer, why can't I adopt another female? Female boxers tend to be more dominant than male boxers. Many of the females that come through ABR have to be surrendered by their owners because they no longer get along with another female boxer in the house. As a female boxer ages, her personality will change. Some females will be fine with other females until she reaches 3-6 years of age. She can then begin to fight with other females, regardless of training. Because of this, ABR will not adopt females together or will not allow an adoption of a female boxer is there is already a female in the house. The best dynamic is a male and female boxer.
My boxer is wild and destructive. What can I do? Many times these behaviors occur for a variety of reasons. First, it could be because a dog is young and/or teething. Try crating your boxer during the day when you are not at home. Another possibility is that your boxer is bored and frustrated. This occurs when there is a lack of exercise and training. Boxers are high energy dogs and require daily exercise. Because they were bred to be working dogs, they need to know what their "job" is. You can achieve this by taking your boxer to a training class and beginning a daily routine including puzzles and other "work" for your boxer. A bored boxer can be a destructive boxer.
I heard white boxers have more health and/or behavioral problems than other boxers. Is this true? Absolutely not, this is a myth about white boxers. Many times they are destroyed by breeders because they consider them "worthless". There are two things that can occur in a white boxer. Many, but not all, white boxers are born deaf. They can still live a long, productive life and ABR can recommend a trainer to assist in training. White boxers also sunburn easily. This can easily be prevented with sunscreen.
Are boxers good with children? Most boxers are great with small children. Keep in mind that not all boxers will love children and therefore, ABR is careful when adopting dogs out to families with children. If a boxer is good with children they tend to be very gentle, affectionate, and are devoted life-long friends to the children in the home.
Are boxers good with cats? Some boxers are great with cats and befriend them quickly. Other boxers see any small furry animal and instinctively go after it. ABR works closely with all of the foster families to help determine if a household with cats is appropriate for each dog. ABR will also assist with introduction of the new boxer to all members of your family.
What is the life expectancy of a boxer? This varies for every boxer. Some boxers have lost their lives to cancer at 2 years, while others can live to be 15 or 16. On average, a boxer will live to be about 12.
Bringing a Rescued Boxer Home:
How much do I feed my boxer? How much to feed your boxer depends on the type and the recommendations for that specific brand. Check the bag for specific amounts. You can also feed your boxer extra if it's on the thin side, or cut back if your boxer is full-figured. It is better on the hips if your boxer is on the thin side rather than overweight.
What type of food should I feed my boxer? ABR recommends feeding boxers premium dog foods only. Many foods contain beef, corn and wheat, which have been proven to contribute to both allergies and behavioral problems in boxers. Please feel free to contact your local pet store or ABR for specific foods that would benefit your Boxer.
I rescued a boxer mix or a non-boxer from ABR. Do the FAQs still apply? ABR appreciates rescue of a boxer-mix or a non-boxer. Boxer mixes and non-boxers enter the program the same way that boxers do – they need rescue too and are looking for a forever home. Although the FAQs are geared towards the boxer breed, they most certainly apply for any rescued dog you should bring into your home.
I already have a dog or cat and I am uncomfortable bringing in an adult dog. What does ABR recommend? Because our boxers are in foster homes, most are tested with other animals. Because of this, we can determine the boxer's temperament before placed into a home. An ABR volunteer will work with the family and the new boxer through slow introductions. Integration of a new boxer can almost always be successful.
Can I have a boxer in an apartment? Yes. Keep in mind that your boxer will need daily exercise and training if kept in an apartment. If you cannot provide a boxer with both, then maybe consider another less active breed. Please check with your apartment management to ensure that boxers are allowed.
I just adopted a housebroken boxer from ABR and the dog has been having accidents in the house. Is this normal? Yes, it can take a few days to a couple of weeks for your new boxer to get settled into your home. The best thing to do is to crate train a dog during the day and begin a routine with the Boxer so he can begin to get on the same schedule as you. If you are still having problems after a week, contact ABR for advice.
I adopted a boxer and absolutely love the breed. Can I volunteer to foster a boxer? Absolutely! Please visit the ABR website and select "Ways to Help" and complete a foster application. Other than fostering, ABR has various other volunteering options that fully benefit our rescued boxers. If you have questions, please email ABR at info@austinBoxerrescue.com.
Spay and Neuter Facts:
Spaying or neutering does NOT make your pet lazy or fat. Lack of exercise and too much food causes obesity. Altered animals tend to roam less, and it helps them calm down.
Spaying or neutering does NOT negatively affect your pet's personality.
There are also medical benefits to neutering your male dog. It eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and also prevents many diseases of the prostrate. It also reduces the risk of certain types of hernias and tumors. Neutering your male dog also reduces roaming, aggressive behavior, and urinating in the house.
Spaying your female dog eliminates heat cycles and bloody spotting around the house. A dog spayed before its first heat cycle is seven times less likely to develop mammary cancer, which is a very common tumor in intact female dogs. Spaying also removes the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer. It also prevents pyometra, which are life threatening uterine infections.
The only way to reduce the number of animals put to sleep each year is by SPAYING AND NEUTERING ALL ANIMALS!
Tips for Housebreaking Puppies:
1. Key things to look for:
o Puppy starts smelling the floor, furniture, etc.
o Puppy walks towards windows or doors
o Puppy walks towards corners in the house or leaves the room
2. Suggestions to make housebreaking a success:
o Sit outside with the puppy in the morning right after you get up, at lunch (if possible), and right after you get home in the evening. Wait until puppy goes potty then give plenty of praise
o If you see the above signs like smelling the floor, etc., immediately take puppy outside to go potty. Wait until puppy goes potty then give plenty of praise
o When puppy in is crate, put a pillow or blanket in the back of the crate, and food in the front of the crate. Puppies do not like to potty near their food. This, plus making the crate area smaller will reinforce not going in the crate and will help make housebreaking a success.
o If puppy does potty inside, immediately show puppy the mess and tell puppy "NO!". Then take puppy outside to finish going potty and give plenty of praise when puppy goes outside.
Top 10 Reasons for Adopting an Older Dog:
Housetrained – Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stages of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.
Won't chew inappropriate items – Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
Focus to learn – Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
Know what "no" means – Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they haven't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.
Settle in with the "pack" – Older dogs settle in easily because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
Good at giving love – Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second change they've been given.
WYSIWYG – What you see is what you get. Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from they seemed at first.
Instant companions – Older dogs are instant companions, ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
Time for yourself – Older dogs leave you time for yourself because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
A good night's sleep – Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
FOSTERS NEEDED We need volunteers to help visit foster dogs until we can place them in their forever homes. Without fosters we can not accept dogs into our rescue. Please fill out our FOSTER APPLICATION if you are interested.
NAME A BOXER PROGRAM Would you like to honor a friend or cherished pet? You can help ABR pay its medical bills by naming one of our future dogs! CLICK HERE for Details
NEED YOUR HELP WITH HOMEVISITS We need volunteers to help visit homes of potential adopters. Please fill out our Volunteer Form and indicate your interest.
