BREAKING NEWS
SA Animal Care Services offers free adoptions on dogs weighing 40+ pounds this Friday, Saturday
Read full article: SA Animal Care Services offers free adoptions on dogs weighing 40+ pounds this Friday, SaturdaySan Antonio Animal Care Services is wrapping up National Dog Week with a special adoption event, Big Mutts, Big Hearts.
Alternative Learning Environment substitute finds future adoptive daughter in classroom
Read full article: Alternative Learning Environment substitute finds future adoptive daughter in classroomA full-time Alternative Learning Environment substitute at Northside ISD has spent the last three years working to become a full-time certified teacher, but on her journey to reach that goal, she had no idea she would also make a daughter out of a student she once taught.
Want to foster a kitten? A San Antonio animal shelter is asking the community for help
Read full article: Want to foster a kitten? A San Antonio animal shelter is asking the community for helpIt's kitten season again, and San Antonio Pets Alive! said it needs people to step up and foster some furry friends.
Film showcasing SA coupleās adoption process to screen at San Antonio Film Festival
Read full article: Film showcasing SA coupleās adoption process to screen at San Antonio Film FestivalA couple went through the whole foster-to-adopt licensing process, and soon after, a newborn was placed with them. That 3-year-old's first difficult five days in the world have been eclipsed with love, now being shown in documentary form at the San Antonio Film Festival.
South Texas Alliance for Orphans aims to lower number of children in foster care
Read full article: South Texas Alliance for Orphans aims to lower number of children in foster careThe South Texas Alliance for Orphans is raising awareness for the fostering crisis in San Antonio and our surrounding counties.
Children in the courtroom: How Virginia judges are giving kids a voice
Read full article: Children in the courtroom: How Virginia judges are giving kids a voiceJudges found a way to ensure kids are being heard before life-changing decisions are made for their families. One of the ways theyāre doing it is with a goldfish in the courtroom.
San Antonio plans to take advantage of expanded Safe Haven law
Read full article: San Antonio plans to take advantage of expanded Safe Haven lawThe City of San Antonio plans to take advantage of a change to state law that will allow parents to surrender their newborn babies in special, alarmed boxes at fire stations and other designated spots.
Nine puppies found abandoned in crate at park during heat advisory, ACS says
Read full article: Nine puppies found abandoned in crate at park during heat advisory, ACS saysNine puppies were found abandoned at a park on the East Side in the middle of a heat advisory. Now, theyāre searching for their forever homes.
Six puppies found abandoned at San Antonio park now up for adoption, ACS says
Read full article: Six puppies found abandoned at San Antonio park now up for adoption, ACS saysA group of puppies were found trapped in a crate and abandoned at a Southeast Side park. Now, theyāre looking for their forever homes, according to Animal Care Services.
Four siblings, two happy families after adoptions finalized in Comal County
Read full article: Four siblings, two happy families after adoptions finalized in Comal CountyThe day Pastor Scott Richerson and his wife Brandi had prayed would come finally did when their adoption of 11-year-old Andrew and 5-year-old Xavier was finalized Wednesday morning by a Comal County judge with a last-minute opening on the docket.
āWe do not have the capacityā: ACS looking to re-home 11 animals not chosen by transport shelters
Read full article: āWe do not have the capacityā: ACS looking to re-home 11 animals not chosen by transport sheltersSan Antonio Animal Care Services is asking anyone who is interested in fostering or adopting a new furry friend to do so, as time is of the essence for nearly 15 of its animals.
More support needed to break stigma for mothers who choose adoption over abortion, advocate says
Read full article: More support needed to break stigma for mothers who choose adoption over abortion, advocate saysAs the state grapples with possible abortion law changes from the U.S. Supreme Court, one San Antonio adoption advocate says more support and less judgment is needed for women who choose to have a child and place them for adoption.
San Antonio puppy looking for forever home after receiving life-saving surgery
Read full article: San Antonio puppy looking for forever home after receiving life-saving surgeryMiley, a five-month-old puppy at the San Antonio Humane Society, is getting a fresh start after having life-saving heart surgery.
San Antonio woman remembers Ukrainian man who helped facilitate hundreds of adoptions
Read full article: San Antonio woman remembers Ukrainian man who helped facilitate hundreds of adoptionsA San Antonio family adopted six children with down syndrome from Ukraine with the help of a man from that country. He was killed in recent fighting after the war broke out with Russia.
Need pest control for rodents? Try adding a barn cat to your property.
Read full article: Need pest control for rodents? Try adding a barn cat to your property.Pest control can be costly and may contain harmful chemicals. But, Animal Care Services may have a better solution for you, and it comes with four paws and a tail.
San Antonio Pets Alive! to host first in-person adoption event since beginning of COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: San Antonio Pets Alive! to host first in-person adoption event since beginning of COVID-19 pandemicSan Antonio Pets Alive!, or SAPA!, will offer its first in-person adoption event since the pandemic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Petco located on 6001 NW Loop 410.
Puppy found without any fur, now sheās recovering and looking for a home
Read full article: Puppy found without any fur, now sheās recovering and looking for a homeSix Month old Denali has made an amazing recovery from a serious case of Mange. Now, she's joyful, energetic, and looking for a new home!
Chihuahua described as āa Chucky doll in a dogās bodyā finds forever home in Connecticut
Read full article: Chihuahua described as āa Chucky doll in a dogās bodyā finds forever home in ConnecticutA chihuahua described as āa Chucky doll in a dogās bodyā or a āhaunted Victorian childā has officially found his forever home, according to his foster mom.
āA Chucky doll in a dogās bodyā: Adoption ad for chihuahua goes viral on social media
Read full article: āA Chucky doll in a dogās bodyā: Adoption ad for chihuahua goes viral on social mediaThis dog is one-of-a-kind. Or, as his foster owner describes him, a āChucky doll in a dogās bodyā or a āhaunted Victorian child.ā
Despite COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar Countyās childrenās court saw successes over last year
Read full article: Despite COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar Countyās childrenās court saw successes over last yearThe Childrenās Court Division made quick moves to make sure they were able to continue hearing cases. āChildrenās court was pretty seamless. We had to be because whatās at stake when youāre talking about the safety and welfare of children,ā Childrenās Court Associate Judge Charles Montemayor. Montemayor has been hearing cases in the Childrenās Court since 2005 and, at first, had no idea how the pandemic would affect his docket. Everything from court hearings, therapy sessions to adoption ceremonies went virtual.
San Antonio mental health professionals urge parents to seek help when faced with life challenges
Read full article: San Antonio mental health professionals urge parents to seek help when faced with life challengesSan Antonio ā San Antonio mental health professionals are urging parents facing any kind of challenges to seek help before taking matters in their own hands. In the court documents, Chairez told investigators at length about her mental health issues. Maybe there were signs that we missed.āLivingston said seeking help is crucial in these kinds of situations when dealing with mental health problems. āI think parents need to realize that it is ok sometimes to not be ok and not be able to handle everything that is expected of them,ā Livingston said. Vigil tomorrow at 7627 W Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78242 itās a park7pm if anyone wants to join us.
New Family Tapestry adoption portal giving Bexar County foster kids a voice
Read full article: New Family Tapestry adoption portal giving Bexar County foster kids a voiceSAN ANTONIO ā Right now in Bexar County, more than 200 kids are waiting to be adopted. Family Tapestry has launched a new website hoping to make the process easier for potential families and also as a way for the kids to share their own stories. Texas Adoption Portal or TAP launched last month and features a profile page for every kid with what they are interested in, details about their personalities as well as information about their needs. āItās not just about featuring them,ā chief public relations officer for Family Tapestry and The Childrenās Shelter Anai Biera Miracle said. Family Tapestry is hoping the portal makes it easier for potential families to step up and give some of these kids a forever home.
Bill filed would allow babies up to 12-months-old to be surrendered, mothers wouldnāt be prosecuted
Read full article: Bill filed would allow babies up to 12-months-old to be surrendered, mothers wouldnāt be prosecutedSAN ANTONIO ā Texas was the first state in the nation to enact a Baby Moses Law allowing mothers to safely surrender their babies at hospitals, fire stations and police stations, without penalty. Now, advocates say Texas needs to follow other states like North Dakota and Missouri that have extended their laws, allowing mothers to surrender babies up to 12 months. āIn 2011, we got a call for a baby and we were told she had been left at a fire station,ā said Laurie Cobb, who adopted a Baby Moses baby nine years ago. Bella, now nine years old, had been safely surrendered as part of the Baby Moses Law. Related: Advocates want to extend age of babies allowed to be surrendered under Baby Moses law
One year later: What I learned as a first-time foster parent
Read full article: One year later: What I learned as a first-time foster parentI write this article to share some things Iāve learned that I hope maybe could help anybody else who is a foster parent or thinking about fostering. As a foster parent, Iāve learned that some things just donāt work and have to be adjusted. Foster parenting not only means having to have patience with the child and the situation but with the foster care system as well. Kids are resilientThe greatest pleasure of all this is seeing how much our little one has improved, learned and grown. Related:The realities of being a foster parentSan Antonio gay couple share their experience adopting a child during pandemicThinking of adopting?
Hispanic, Black children wait longer to be adopted in Bexar County, experts say
Read full article: Hispanic, Black children wait longer to be adopted in Bexar County, experts saySAN ANTONIO ā Throughout the child welfare sector, experts say children of color have worse outcomes in the system when it comes to placement and adoption. Simmons, who sits on the Texas Advisory Committee on Promoting Adoption of Minority Children, said in Bexar County, Hispanic children wait the longest for adoption, followed closely by Black children. The extreme disparities have experts like Simmons reviewing parts of the system in desperate need of change. āRight now, the State of Texas has done a really great job of engaging with kinship programs reducing disparities for Black and Hispanic children,ā Simmons said. Their adopted boys are Hispanic and Black, the two specific types of children that have historically and currently need adoption the most.
San Antonio gay couple shares their experience adopting a child during pandemic
Read full article: San Antonio gay couple shares their experience adopting a child during pandemicSAN ANTONIO ā Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson fostered to adopt under two circumstances that could have come with barriers: one, in the middle of a pandemic, and two as a same sex couple. Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson and their children. (Credit: Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson) (Credit: Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson)Banks said the number of child removals has risen as domestic violence skyrockets amid the pandemic. Clint and Wellington chose SJRC specifically because of its good reputation and inclusivity for LGBTQ couples wanting to foster and adopt. If youāre interested in learning more about fostering or adoption, Banks said to contact agencies like SJRC and ask questions.
Father, daughter meet for the first time after 50 years
Read full article: Father, daughter meet for the first time after 50 yearsHOUSTON ā It was an emotional reunion for one Tomball, Texas father and his daughter, who were separated at her birth and then came together again after 50 years. Winskiās daughter, Kerri Beggs, said at the age of 19, she began a quest to find her biological father. Beggs, who now lives in Tucson, Arizona, took a plane to Hobby Airport on Friday, a flight that was delayed. For the first time after a lifetime of missing each other, the father and daughter embraced each other. For the last four months, Iāve been looking forward to this day.āAdded Winski, āSheās my little girl.
San Antonio couple observes National Adoption Month in a big way
Read full article: San Antonio couple observes National Adoption Month in a big wayāThen, we found out there were four other siblings,ā Jamie Hejduk said. Heather Hejduk said she thought their caseworker was joking when she asked the couple if they wanted all six. To add six children to four of their own was a family decision, Heather Hejdukās husband said. āThey just fit in our family,ā Heather Hejduk said. āLittle did she know her little sister wasnāt born till she was 16, and she didnāt meet her until last year,ā Heather Heyduk said.
Why itās crucial to acknowledge the race of your adopted child
Read full article: Why itās crucial to acknowledge the race of your adopted childThen they found Trulight127 Ministries, a local foster and adoption agency that runs a foster care campus and offers classes for parents. Because of their skin color, there are certain tools that they need.āHer two sons are Hispanic and her daughter is African American. āOur foster families, especially when theyāre adopting African American children, if you ignore the fact that theyāre African American, you are setting them up to fail. āI didnāt know what to do with my daughterās hair,ā Megerson said. RELATED: Hope for a Home: Adoption questions answered
State in desperate need of foster parents living in rural communities west of Bexar County
Read full article: State in desperate need of foster parents living in rural communities west of Bexar CountySan Antonio The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is desperately looking for foster families in rural communities west of Bexar County. How a San Antonio foster care campus is getting creative amid COVID-19 pandemicCheronda Tillman, a foster care and adoption recruitment specialist, said it has always been challenging to recruit in rural communities. Its always been an issue trying to increase capacity when it comes to finding families that reside in those 27 counties surrounding Bexar, especially turning our attention to our rural west, she said. However, in rural communities recruiting is more personal, she said. Upwards -- somewhere around 200 children will come into the foster care system each and every month.