In San Antonio, Texas, one animal advocate started using TikTok to help out the city’s growing stray dog population.
From My San Antonio, Jenna Loos first heard about the growing number of stray dogs in San Antonio from her sister. Originally from Michigan, Loos’s sister already lived in San Antonio when she decided to move there. Although Loos said she didn’t think San Antonio was the only place with a stray dog issue, she did say it was far more noticeable here.
“These dogs are just deteriorating right in front of people’s eyes and nobody’s doing anything,” Loos told reporters.
Animal advocate-turned-influencer
As a result, Loos decided to become an animal advocate and independent dog rescuer. Eventually, she started a TikTok channel, @jennasavesdogs, where she shares her experiences and helps raise awareness to get these dogs the care they desperately need.
With the app, Loos has drawn national attention to San Antonio’s stray dog problems. “If people really saw what was going on here,” Loos said, “…I think that would be more pressure to fix the problem rather than pretend that it’s not happening”.
Through her TikTok channel, Loos said she’s managed to gather donations to help get the dogs she finds medical care, food, bedding, and toys. Additionally, she works with various local shelters and rescue groups to find forever homes for these neglected dogs. Unfortunately, certain dogs just have too many behavioral or medical issues to be adoptable. In this case, Loos said she usually takes these dogs in herself.
Dog owners need to be more responsible
Notably, although Loos said that the issue is not easy to resolve, she thinks that mandatory spay and neuter laws—already seen in Dallas and Houston—are at least a step in the right direction. Similar initiatives have helped alleviate stray dog populations in India. Although it’s a slow process, spaying or neutering your dog is the best and easiest way to avoid stray dog outbreaks.
In the meantime, Loos said she is committed to helping dogs however and wherever she can. Thanks to animal advocates like Loos and others like her, these lovable dogs are not alone.
