Fiesta San Antonio has been an annual tradition in San Antonio since 1891. The festival, also known as the Battle of the Flowers, commemorates the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

The festival began when local San Antonio women decorated their baby carriages, baby buggies, and bicycles with live flowers, met in front of the Alamo, and threw flowers at each other, inspiring the name Battle of Flowers. Other activities were added to the festival, including parades, parties, and a carnival.

Today, the festival hosts over 100 events over 17 days, featuring three major parades (one is a boat parade down the River Walk). Fiesta attendees can get souvenir pins and medals from various dignitaries, organizations, and Fiesta royalty.

Fiesta San Antonio runs April 18 – 28th. Get our first-ever Spay Neuter Network Fiesta medal at the San Antonio clinic today.
San Antonio: 210 Tuleta Dr #3, San Antonio, TX 78212

Read more about Fiesta San Antonio here: https://fiestasanantonio.org/

While on Facebook, Amber stumbled upon a “rehoming pets” page where she found a beautiful, 2-year-old dog named Roxy Bañuelos that immediately stole her heart.

According to Amber, Roxy Bañuelos’s owner could no longer care for her dog and had an appointment to surrender her to the city shelter. Roxy Bañuelos’ current family, however, hoped to rehome her rather than keep that appointment. Amber and her boyfriend were ecstatic they could make Roxy Bañuelos part of their family that day.

Roxy Bañuelos went into heat that first week in her new home. So, Amber scheduled her spay/neuter surgery appointment with our San Antonio clinic a few weeks out. Amber got Roxy Bañuelos fixed, vaccinated, and on heartworm preventative within a month of bringing her home.

“I truly want to say thank you for making me feel comfortable leaving her in safe hands. I was very nervous about her surgery, but everyone was so friendly and nice. She made a great recovery and is as happy as can be. She’s definitely a goofball.”

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Martha needed to get her dog, Rocky, neutered. But she could not find an affordable veterinary clinic near where she lived. That’s because Martha lives in a veterinary desert – a part of town where there is no access to veterinary care for many miles. These deserts exist because veterinary clinics typically located in more affluent areas of town, where people have more disposable income to care for their pets. These practices leave low-income communities without affordable pet care near where they live.

That’s where Spay Neuter Network helps. We operate most of our clinics in veterinary deserts and offer transport services for spay/neuter surgeries to and from our clinics if pet owners have transportation issues that might prevent them from getting to our clinic. The goal is to provide every pet equal access to basic pet care, which includes spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, microchips, and preventatives for flea, tick and heartworm.

When Martha’s husband discovered it would only cost $85 to get their 11.5-lb. dog, Rocky, neutered, rabies vaccinated, and microchipped, he told his wife to make the appointment “right away.”

Post-surgery, Martha told our staff, “I am 100% grateful for your services today, and for fixing the pets in our community. I will help spread the word in my neighborhood, so other pet owners can find these services for their pets too.”

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Kelley couldn’t help but notice a one-month-old kitten wandering and mewing around a dumpster outside a restaurant. With no mother cat around, this kitten, who was barely a pound, appeared to be an orphan. Kelley approached and was able to pick up the kitten. Kelley already had one kitten and thought, “it would be great to have a playmate for her other kitten.”

During this time, Kelley fell in love with Magmus and wanted to make him a part of the family. But she soon discovered that affordable vet care was not available nearby. She thought she might have to surrender Magmus to the shelter. Thankfully, a friend told Kelley about our affordable services. So, when Magmus was old enough, she got him neutered, rabies vaccinated, and microchipped for just $55 at our Crandall, Texas, clinic. “Thanks to SNN, Magnus is fixed and will live with me forever,” Kelley says.

Will you donate to support the next pet in need?

 

Timothy was outside doing his work for the city when he opened a Porta-Potty and found an orange tabby cat sitting patiently inside. “He didn’t look healthy and seemed pretty scratched up,” said Timothy. “I think someone abandoned this cat and put him in the Porta-Potty for me to find.”

Timothy brought “Lorax” home and let him recover from his ordeal before calling us to get him neutered. Timothy lives in one of the 15 ZIP codes in Fort Worth where we are able to support pet owners with free spay-neuter surgeries, rabies vaccinations, and microchips, thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Saving Hope Foundation, who is dedicated to increasing access to care for Fort Worth pets.

Will you donate to support the next pet in need?

 

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family, sharing delicious food, and giving thanks for all the good things in life. But with all the holiday excitement, it’s important not to forget about our furry friends. From the smell of turkey roasting in the oven to the hustle and bustle of guests, pets can easily get caught up in the festivities—sometimes with unintended consequences.

To help ensure your pets stay safe and happy this Thanksgiving, here are some essential Thanksgiving pet safety tips:

Keep Guests and Pets Separated
The holiday crowd can be overwhelming for some pets, especially those who are shy or anxious around strangers. The doorbell ringing, the hustle and bustle of guests, and the excitement of the day can all create stress for your pet.

Set up a quiet, cozy area in your home where your pet can retreat to if they need a break. Be sure to provide fresh water, their favorite toys, and a comfy bed or blanket. If your pet is not accustomed to being around a lot of people, consider keeping them in a room with the door closed during the main festivities.

Be Mindful of Decorations
Thanksgiving often includes festive decorations like candles, centerpieces, and pumpkins. While these add to the holiday ambiance, they can be hazardous to pets, especially if they’re placed in areas where pets can reach them.

Candles: Pets, especially cats and dogs with wagging tails, may knock over candles, causing a fire hazard.
Pumpkins and Gourds: While pumpkins are safe for pets in moderation, other decorative squash or pumpkins may be treated with chemicals or preservatives that could harm your pet if ingested.

Place candles and decorative items on high shelves or in areas where your pet cannot reach. Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles to reduce the risk of fire.

Mind the Door
With people coming and going, the front door is often opening and closing throughout Thanksgiving Day. This provides plenty of opportunities for pets to escape into the yard or even the street.

Make sure your pet is securely indoors or in a safe, enclosed space before the guests start arriving. Consider putting your pet in a crate or a separate room while guests are coming in to prevent them from darting out the door.

Pet Safe Foods
Many of the foods we love during Thanksgiving can be harmful to pets. If your pet accidentally eats something harmful, contact your veterinarian or an emergency pet poison hotline immediately.