Etosha
Etosha Rescue and Adoption Center

Mail:   P.O. Box 1688, Seguin, Texas 78155       Email:  etosha@texas.net
Location:  3645 IH-10, Seguin, Texas 78155     Phone: 830-401-0150
Call for directions

Please see even more Etosha dogs by visiting Petfinder.

ETOSHA is one of the oldest and largest, all-breed, no-kill shelters in Texas. We are a 501(c)(3) shelter that was first organized in 1988 in South Texas. We began as a sanctuary for Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Mastiffs and a variety of unwanted hunting dogs. While we are best known for Hounds and Great Danes, we rescue many other purebreds as well as mixed breeds.

Our main facility is currently located on five acres outside the city limits of Seguin, with 14 foster homes located in nearby counties. Our dogs are neutered/spayed, heartworm negative, vaccinated and microchipped prior to adoption. Large breeds (RRs, Danes, etc.) are x-rayed for hip dysplasia and checked (by x-ray or ultrasound) for heart defects. Basic obedience and temperament evaluations are completed prior to adoption, and we offer a 30 day refund of the adoption fee if a dog is returned for any reason.

Etosha provides large grass surfaced runs (no concrete) for its rescues. Individual wading pools are provided for each dog during the summer months. Healthy dogs of good temperament are never euthanized at Etosha. If an adoptive home is not found, rescued dogs live out their lives as permanent residents of the facility. There are indoor facilities for special needs dogs. Our shelter is managed on a daily basis by the Director and one or two kennel workers.

Volunteers and transport drivers are always needed and greatly appreciated. We placed more than 200 dogs in forever, loving homes throughout the U.S. and Canada last year thanks to many people who donated their time and gas coupons to help these dogs.



OFFICERS & VOLUNTEERS

Bonney Williams, Director
830-401-0150
etosha@texas.net

Julie Mitchell, Assistant Director
julie@texridge.net

Julia Kerr, Administrator
droghedadanes@hotmail.com

Chris Kerr, Treasurer
kerr_ce@hotmail.com

Stacey Nevares, Assistant Administrator
and Head of Fundraising

Barbara Sawyer Brown
Chicago area coordinator

Lori Rogers, Secretary

Spencer Drake, Volunteer

Jerry & Linda Dunham, Transport and Photography
jdunham@texas.net

Adoption Information

The adoption fee is refundable in 30 days if the adopter is dissatisfied with the dog for any reason, and we DO want our dogs returned. The fee covers the cost of heartworm test, spay/neuter, vaccinations, worming and a microchip. It does not cover heartworm treatment, eye or other corrective surgery, dermoid sinus removal, dentals or thyroid testing.

Adopted dogs come with health records, collar and leash, Avid microchip registration and a one-month supply of heartworm prevention. Sorry, we do not adopt to families without a fenced yard.

The Adoption Application is available as a Word Doc.

You may also copy and paste this page to an email, and send it to etosha@texas.net
Or, you can print it, fill it out by hand and mail it.


Prospective owner's name: ___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________
Home telephone:______________ work:________other:____________________
Driver's license state & number:________________________________________
Your occupation:___________________________________________________
Do you rent or own your home:__________________ Type:_______________

How long at this address:_________ Are you planning to move within a year? ___________
When? ______________ Do you have an in-ground swimming pool?__________ Describe:______________ Do you have a fenced yard?____________
Type & height:___________________ What outdoor shelter suitable for a dog do you have? _______________________________________________________________
Have you owned a dog? ____________ What happened to it? ________________
Do you own other dogs now? ______Cats? _________ Are they neutered?______

CURRENT PETS:
Please list dogs' breeds, age & sex:
  KIND BREED          SPAY/NEUTER   KEPT WHERE    TIME OWNED AGE
Dog____________ | Yes___No___ | In____Out___ |________|______|
Dog____________ | Yes___No___ | In____Out___ |________|______|
Dog____________ | Yes___No___ | In____Out___ |________|______|

Please list cats' breed, age & sex:
  KIND BREED          SPAY/NEUTER   KEPT WHERE    TIME OWNED AGE
Cat____________ | Yes___No___ | In____Out___ |________|_______|
Cat____________ | Yes___No___ | In____Out___ |________|_______|

List other animals you own:
_________________________________________________________
Your veterinarian's name, address & telephone number:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
What form of training will you provide your dog?
__Obedience class    __Follow training books __Professional training   __Home training
How many adults in your household?_______    How many children?________


Age & sex of children: __________________________________________

If you have young children, they need to be educated on how to interact with the dog in order to prevent dog bites, are you able/willing to do that?   ___Yes ___No

Please explain why you want to adopt a dog/this specific breed:
__________________________________________________________
What do you feel makes you a good pet owner?
__________________________________________________________
What types of pet behavior do you find difficult to deal with?
__________________________________________________________
What would you do if your pet developed a physical disability?
__________________________________________________________
What will you do when your pet becomes elderly?
__________________________________________________________
What would you do if your present pets do not get along with your adopted dog?
__________________________________________________________
Do you have any limitations in caring for this particular dog/breed?
__________________________________________________________
Where will you keep this dog when you TRAVEL?
__________________________________________________________
What plans have you made for your pets if you are physically unable to care for them?
___________________________________________________________
What type of balanced nutrition do you intend to provide for your dog?
Dog Food Brand: _________________ Dry or Wet Food:_________________
Other type food: ___________________
Are you financially able to provide veterinary care for a dog? _______________
Are you aware of the importance of heartworm preventative? _______________
Would you allow your dog to ride in the back of a pickup truck? ____________
If adopted, where will your dog sleep at night? __________________________
Where will the dog stay during the day? _______________________________
How many hours per day will your dog spend alone? _____________________
Who will provide the necessary care for the dog? ________________________
How will this dog fit in with your hobbies/lifestyle, etc.? ___________________
Explain:_______________________________________________________
Will your dog be crated at home? __________________________________
What breed/s of dog/s are you interested in? __________________________
Would you be interested in a mix breed?   YES   NO
Do you wish to adopt: _____Male _____Female
Age preferred: _________
(*Puppy-12 weeks-6 months *Adolescent-6 months to 1 year * Young Adult-1 to 2 years *Adult 2 or more years * Senior-7 or more years)
If dissatisfied with your dog, would you return him/her to Etosha Rescue & Adoption Center?
____________________________________________________________________

Reference #1:
_____________________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________
Phone (Day):
_____________________________________________________
Reference #2:
_____________________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________
Phone (Day):
_____________________________________________________
Reference #3:
_____________________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________
Phone (Day):
_____________________________________________________

Accepting Donations through PayPal.


Also visit our online store for cool Etosha Logo Items. All proceeds benefit Etosha Rescue.
CafePress
Etosha Online Store

We are grateful for your support!













RRCUS Members and Sponsors:
  • Debbie Beck
  • Mary Berg
  • Phyllis Boyer
  • Barbara Sawyer Brown
  • Gail Cartter
  • Kim Conrow
  • Lynette Criddle
  • Alison Fraser (Chadzombe)
  • Sharon Gardner
  • Sue Gatto
  • Lin Hainlen
  • Bill and Doreen Kent
  • Jerri Langlais
  • Jennifer Lamson (Mopani)
  • Kris Stanfield
  • Kerry Williams (Juba Lee Ridgebacks)

                                                                  HOW COULD YOU?

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement.

I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject.

I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness.

You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.

A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry."

She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

By Jim Willis, 2001

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the U.S.

Ridgeback Trust Incorporated

Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation

Alamo Great Dane Club

Canine's Adventure

great danes



TRAINING FACILITIES AND TRAINERS IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA.
Etosha does not support or endorse any particular training facility or trainer, but provides this list only as a reference.
THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR AN UNTRAINED, ILL BEHAVED OR BAD MANNERED DOG!!! YOU CAN BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER. IT TAKES MORE THAN LOVE. BE YOUR DOG'S BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE.

Joyce Morgan's Dog Training Center
(512) 834-1139
10710 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753
www.joycemorgans.com

Waggin' Tails Dog Training
(512) 990-2016
2016 Rowe Loop
Pflugerville, TX 78660
www.waggin-tails.com

Dogboy's Dog Ranch
(512) 251-7600
2701 Crystal Bend Dr
Pflugerville, TX 78660
www.dogboys.com

The Humaner Trainer
(512) 301-6886
8618 McMeans Trl
Austin, TX 78737
www.texasorangepages.org
Sublime Canines
Briana Stringer
Georgetown, TX 78737
http://www.sublimecanines.com/
Hearts and Paws
(512) 249-7255
13033 Fm 2769
Austin, TX 78726
www.heartsandpaws.com

Stay N Play Pet Ranch
(512) 894-7387
2500 E Highway 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
www.staynplaypetranch.com

Good Dog Austin
181 Kaatz Lane
Hutto, TX 78634
512-251-1901
www.austindogtraining.com

Canine Academy
13420 Cedar Lime Road
Leander, Texas 78641
(512)-267-2275 Phone
www.k9-academy.com

Canine Headquarters
Dave and Karen Kroyer
Hutto, Texas
http://www.canineheadquarters.com/

Taurus Dog Training
William McLeroy
Austin, Texas
http://www.taurusdogtraining.com/

Urban Dawgy
Natalie McMahon, CPDT
Leander, Texas
512.577.0562
http://www.urbandawgy.com/