What San Antonio Pets Alive! does

San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in December 2011 in San Antonio, Texas, whose mission is to eliminate the killing of at-risk animals due to lack of space, adopters, or fosters. The organization serves as the city's only high-paced, high-volume rescue, pulling the most vulnerable animals (sick, injured, and abused) from the municipal Animal Care Services (ACS) campus under a contractual agreement and operating Building One transitional kennels on that site. SAPA! has saved more than 80,000 animals since inception, rescuing approximately 5,500 at-risk dogs and cats annually and contributing to lifting the city ACS live release rate to 85-90%.

SAPA!'s core products and services include adoption placement (with bundled spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and preventatives), a foster care program with traditional, transport-fostering (2-3 weeks), and staycation options, and high-volume veterinary services with a specialized Parvo ICU achieving a 93-96% live success rate and dedicated Panleukopenia treatment. The Paws Beyond Texas transport program relocates animals to partner shelters in other states through ground and air transport, and the organization runs four physical facilities (Rescue Center, Medical Care & Adoption Center, Petco Love Adoption Center, PetSmart Cat Adoption Center) plus the recently opened Second Chance Thrift Store.

The business model is donation-driven: revenues come from individual donations (monthly recurring Constant Companion program, planned giving, kennel sponsorship, vehicle donations via CARS, name-a-puppy programs), adoption fees ($25-$100), corporate event services (Snuggle Service starting at $150 for 2 hours), retail thrift store proceeds (100% to mission), and foundation grants (notably $1.5M from Petco Love in December 2023). Technology stack centers on third-party platforms: Shelterluv for adoption management, Bloomerang for donations, Petco Love Lost for photo-based lost pet matching, and Trello for foster coordination. Customer segments include individual adopters, foster families, volunteers, individual donors, and corporate partners (Petco, PetSmart, Bissell, Banfield, Purina, Best Friends Animal Society, Walmart).

Name

San Antonio Pets Alive!

Legal name

San Antonio Pets Alive!

Website

https://sanantoniopetsalive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Antonio Pets Alive! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that rescues at-risk dogs and cats from San Antonio's municipal shelter, performing adoptions, foster placements, veterinary treatment, and multi-state transport to save approximately 5,500 animals annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption programs
• Foster care placement
• Veterinary medical services
• Animal transport relocation

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: SAPA! depends on generous donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund programs, supplies, and operational expenses. Monthly giving program (Constant Companion) provides steady support.
2. Second Chance Thrift Store: 100% of all sales from the Second Chance Thrift Store go directly back to San Antonio Pets Alive!, providing medical care, food, and shelter for pets in the community.
3. Pet Adoptions: Adoption fees ranging from $25-$100 depending on animal type, age, and medical status. Includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and preventatives.
4. Snuggle Service: Corporate/event service where puppies and kittens are brought to workplaces for cuddling sessions. Minimum $150 donation for 2 hours, additional hours at $25-$100.
5. Vehicle Donation Program: Vehicle donations (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs) through partnership with CARS, with free pickup and tax deduction benefits.
6. Planned Giving: Estate planning services allowing donors to include SAPA! in wills, trusts, IRAs, 401(k)s, and life insurance policies as beneficiaries.
7. Kennel Sponsorship: Yearly commitment program where sponsors fund temporary homes for animals, providing food, shelter, and medical care.
8. Name a Puppy/Kitten Program: Donors can name a puppy or kitten for a donation, receiving a thank-you card with a photo of the named animal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

San Antonio Pets Alive! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, foster-based animal rescue organization that rescues at-risk dogs and cats from the San Antonio Animal Care Services campus and rehomes them through adoption, foster care, and transport to partner rescues in other states. The organization provides high-volume veterinary care including specialized Parvo (93-96% success rate) and Panleukopenia treatment, spay/neuter services, and vaccinations, and operates the Second Chance Thrift Store as a mission-funded retail channel.

Product overview

San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) operates as a high-volume, foster-based rescue organization offering a comprehensive suite of animal welfare services. The core offerings include adoption services, foster care programs (with options for traditional long-term, transport short-term, and staycation fostering), veterinary/medical services (including parvo and distemper treatment with 93-96% success rates), and the Paws Beyond Texas transport program relocating animals to partner rescues in other states. Supporting these core services are the Second Chance Thrift Store (retail), Snuggle Service (corporate events), Kennel Sponsorship, and Name a Puppy/Kitten programs. The organization operates four physical locations: Rescue Center (Building One), Medical Care & Adoption Center, Petco Love Adoption Center, and PetSmart Cat Adoption Center. SAPA integrates with third-party platforms including Shelterluv for adoptions, Bloomerang for donations, Petco Love Lost for lost pet matching, CARS for vehicle donations, and Trello for foster pet listings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Second Chance Thrift Store: A thrift store operated by San Antonio Pets Alive! where 100% of sales proceeds go directly to supporting the life-saving mission. Located at 8336 Marbach Road, San Antonio, TX. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 12PM-6PM.
• Paws Beyond Texas
• Headin' Home Transport Program

Products and services

• Adoption Services Placement service finding forever homes for rescued dogs and cats. Adoption fees range from $25 to $100 depending on animal type, age, and medical status, and include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip, and heartworm/flea preventatives. Targeted at individuals and families in the San Antonio area seeking rescued pets.
• Foster Care Program Temporary in-home placement program for dogs and cats awaiting adoption or transport, including traditional long-term fostering, short-term transport fostering (2-3 weeks), and neonatal kitten care. SAPA! provides all supplies, food, and medical care. Targeted at community members willing to host rescued animals temporarily.
• Veterinary Services High-volume medical care operating seven days per week, treating puppies with Parvo, kittens with Panleukopenia, distemper, mange, ringworm, and physical injuries. Includes a specialized ICU with a 93-96% live success rate for Parvo puppies. Available to rescued animals in the organization's care and as part of adoption packages.
• Paws Beyond Texas Transport Program Transport service relocating puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats to trusted rescue partners in other states where adoptable pets are in high demand. Uses both van and plane transport supported by Petco Foundation and Valero. Creates shelter capacity locally while matching pets to higher-demand markets.
• Second Chance Thrift Store Retail thrift store at 8336 Marbach Road selling donated clothing, accessories, home essentials, furniture, pet supplies, and more. 100% of sales proceeds go directly to support SAPA!'s animal rescue mission. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 12PM-6PM.
• Snuggle Service Corporate event service that brings kittens and puppies to workplaces for staff cuddling. Minimum $150 donation for 2 hours; additional hours at $25-$100 per hour depending on event size. Targeted at corporate groups seeking employee engagement activities.
• Kennel Sponsorship Yearly commitment program where sponsors fund temporary homes for animals, providing food, shelter, and medical care to homeless animals in need at the Medical Care Center or Building One Rescue Center. Targeted at individual donors and corporate sponsors.
• Name a Puppy or Kitten Program Donation program allowing individuals to name a puppy or kitten while contributing funds. Recipients receive a thank-you card with a photo of the named animal. Targeted at individual donors seeking a personal connection to rescued animals.
• Spay/Neuter Services Surgical spay/neuter services provided at the Medical Care Center to prevent overpopulation and reduce euthanasia rates. Provided as part of adoption packages and supported by donors at $160 per animal.
• Staycation Program Short-term fostering option under the Foster Care Program where SAPA! provides supplies (food, treats, Adopt Me gear) while the foster takes a shelter dog on a break. Targeted at community members seeking very-short-term animal engagement.
• Lost and Found Pet Services Partnership with Animal Care Services to help reunite lost pets with owners. Includes stray hold periods (2-5 days depending on jurisdiction), microchip tracing, and Petco Love Lost photo recognition integration. Available to pet owners in the San Antonio area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000+ total lives saved since 2011
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• WalmartmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Walmart partnered with SAPA! for a massive collaborative adoption event on May 30th, with 50+ adoptable animals on-site and all adoption fees waived.
• Best Friends Animal SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Best Friends Animal Society partnered with SAPA! for mega adoption events, combining resources to increase adoption outcomes.
• PetcocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetco hosts SAPA! adoption centers at multiple locations including the Petco Love Adoption Center (6001 NW Loop 410) and hosts adoption events at Petco De Zavala. Petco Love Foundation awarded $1.5 million to SAPA! in December 2023 to purchase property for establishing an animal shelter.
• PetSmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetSmart hosts SAPA! Cat Adoption Center at 5435 W Loop 1604 N and hosts adoption events at PetSmart La Cantera.
• Athletes for AnimalssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletes for Animals is a sponsor supporting SAPA!'s mission through athletic events and fundraising.
• Animal Care Services (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAPA! has a contract with the city of San Antonio to pull animals from ACS campus. SAPA! operates Building One on the ACS campus with transitional kennels. This partnership has helped bring ACS to 85-90% live release rate.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Seniors)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCARS is SAPA!'s trusted partner for processing vehicle donations, making it easy for donors to contribute cars, trucks, RVs, and other vehicles.
• Gunnarson Outdoor AdvertisingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal advertising partner providing outdoor advertising support for SAPA! campaigns.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Austin Pets Alive!: Austin Pets Alive! operates a nearly identical no-kill, high-volume foster-based rescue model in Austin, Texas, with similar parvo treatment programs and municipal shelter partnerships. Both organizations emerged from the Pets Alive network addressing Texas municipal euthanasia rates.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society is a national no-kill animal welfare organization partnering with SAPA! on mega adoption events. Comparable in mission to eliminate shelter euthanasia, though operating at significantly larger scale with national sanctuary and adoption programs.
• Dallas Pets Alive!: Dallas Pets Alive! is another Texas-based foster-driven rescue operating under the same Pets Alive model, focusing on at-risk animals from DFW-area municipal shelters. Directly comparable mission, volunteer-driven GTM, and adoption-event-driven placement.
• Houston SPCA: Houston SPCA is a Texas-based animal welfare organization offering adoption, veterinary, and rescue services comparable to SAPA!. Operates with both facility-based and foster programs, and is a regional peer for the Texas no-kill movement.
• San Antonio Humane Society: The San Antonio Humane Society is a local peer operating an adoption-focused shelter in the same San Antonio market. While it operates a more traditional facility-based shelter model rather than SAPA!'s foster-based rescue approach, it directly competes for adopters and donors in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): The ASPCA is a national, broadly-scoped animal welfare incumbent providing rescue, adoption, veterinary, and advocacy services. Overlaps with SAPA!'s mission in eliminating animal cruelty and saving at-risk animals, but operates at a far larger, national scale.
• Humane Society of the United States: The Humane Society of the United States is the largest national animal welfare organization, with rescue, advocacy, and shelter support functions that overlap SAPA!'s mission. Serves as a broader industry incumbent and policy advocate rather than a direct local competitor.

Others

• Petco Love (Petco Foundation): Petco Love is SAPA!'s largest disclosed grant funder ($1.5M in 2023) and primary retail partner through Petco Love Adoption Centers. Functions as a funding and distribution partner rather than a direct operator of rescue services.
• Bissell Pet Foundation: Bissell Pet Foundation is a major national pet welfare grantmaker and event sponsor (Empty the Shelters). Provides funding and co-sponsorship to SAPA! but does not directly operate rescue services in the same geography.
• Maddie's Fund: Maddie's Fund is a national family foundation focused on achieving a no-kill nation through grants and innovation funding. Provides capital and program support to shelters and rescues comparable to SAPA! but does not operate direct rescue services.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SanAntonioPetsAlive
• Facebookfacebook.com/sapetsalive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/4851314/admin/dashboard
• Instagraminstagram.com/sapetsalive
• TikToktiktok.com/@sapetsalive?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
• Xx.com/sapetsalive

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Antonio Pets Alive!