“You never soar so high as when you stoop down to help a child or an animal.” Our story starts with a dog appropriately named Angel. She was our son’s Autism Service dog, and she changed his entire world. We have always loved animals, but when Angel joined our family it became insanely clear how the love of an animal can be literally miraculous! Angel gave my son confidence and strength beyond anything I was capable of doing as his mother. She provided protection from his fears, a gentle understanding of his moods and emotions, and gave him a feeling of control over his disabilities. Angel opened our eyes to the healing power of animals and animal-assisted therapy. We will never be able to repay her for helping shape my baby into the high functioning boy he is today, but we can help others experience the same healing power of the innate bond between people and animals. Our goal here at Safe in Austin is to rescue animals from abuse and neglect, to rehabilitate and rehome the ones that are able, and to provide a loving environment for those that have been through enough already. Then, we invite human hearts that need healing to come meet these magnificent creatures, hear their stories, hug their necks, pet their bellies, and find connection in a relationship that is without judgment or fear. Our rescues are grateful and happy, and they all have a story to tell. We have some animals that have been abused beyond your wildest imagination but that still show us nothing but total forgiveness and trust. Kids and young adults that come from trauma can relate to the histories of these animals and find hope in the future for both of them. At-risk youth can feel the connection and unconditional love from these animals and slowly their hearts start to soften! Children with special needs can find comfort and encouragement when learning about animals with special needs of their own and in learning how we all belong to each other no matter our differences. Healing can be hard and scary, but these animals can show us the way! We know that not everyone can afford expensive therapy sessions and high priced programs. Our goal is to offer a place of healing and happiness that is available to everyone. Visits and events are affordable, fun, worry free, and are guaranteed to touch your heart! Safe in Austin is a judgment free zone! Our family’s struggles has taught us that nothing is black and white, and everyone has a story that is worth sharing. We just want you to meet our babies, take some of their love, and share it with others! We know there is a magic that comes with snuggling up with our 250-pound potbelly Peter (who was once thrown away and left for dead), or playing with our fun goat family Sapphire, Curly, and Ruby. Sapphire was rescued from an animal hoarding situation where she had been bred with a goat three times her size, and I slept on the porch for two weeks with her in order to be there for the extremely traumatic birth of her really big triplets! We want you to meet Spotty, a shy little dog with the world’s biggest ears, who lived completely on her own in a neighborhood green belt for at least four years. We spent four days in the streets with her, and then two nights with her in a stranger’s garage waiting for her to have a litter of puppies. It was another three days before she finally trusted me enough to let me touch her and bring her and the puppies back to the ranch! And Duchess, our sweet momma who was rescued from a dog fighting ring where she was used as a breeder dog. She was bred over and over again in a tiny cage hidden under a tarp. She tries to mother any babies she sees and has in her four years with us tried really hard to nurse all manner of puppies, kittens, ducklings, chicks, bunnies, a tortoise, and even a few human babies! Our little piggy Wilbur shares a beautiful adoption story of having a mother that loved him very much but knew she couldn't provide the kind of life he deserved and brought him here to the rescue ranch to be free and loved. We also have sweet Silkie Chickens that like to cuddle, an abandoned bunny that will eat from your hand, a calm and deliberate tortoise that reminds all of us to slow down and smell (or eat) the roses! We have giant pigs that were saved from the slaughterhouse, and love nothing more than to roll over for belly rubs or snout kisses! And we always have precious baby goats running around waiting for a hug! Safe in Austin is very much a work in progress.... but aren’t we all, really?! We are working on new and exciting things and can’t wait to see what the future holds! We appreciate so much you following this crazy journey with us and hope to see you out for a visit soon! Our goal on social media is to simply brighten your day with pictures and stories of spoiled animals that never again have to be afraid, and to show you the difference these animals can make on the hearts of people that come to visit them! � “Saving one animal with not change the world, but for that one animal, the world will change forever!”
