Prior to opening its first location in Austin in 2012, Firehouse Animal Health Center founders Dr. Jed Rogers and Dr. John Faught sat down to visualize what would set their veterinary practice apart from others.

They listed all the qualities they saw as vital to their animal hospital, which turned into their 100 Little Things list. These 100 items are the small details that Firehouse doctors and staff do each day and sets them apart. The goal was—and remains—to build trusting relationships with their clients by making the overall experience better.

Community Giving was one of the first items to make the list. Before the hospital had even opened, Drs. Rogers and Faught had a list of local pet nonprofits that they were eager to support.

“Firehouse is deeply committed to the idea of humans and pets bonding. We want to do everything we can to facilitate that connection. What better place to start than at our local shelters and pet-focused nonprofits?” says Dr. Faught.

In its five years in Austin, Firehouse has established ongoing annual partnerships with eight local nonprofits and donated more than $127,000 in free medical care to their pets. From spays and dental cleanings to vaccines and life-saving surgeries, all three Firehouse locations have helped improve the health of local dogs and cats so they’ll be ready for their future owners.

In 2017, 126 pets were served by their three hospitals.

Additionally, staffers live this culture of giving back by devoting countless hours supporting the neighborhoods in which Firehouse animal hospitals are based. They attend July Fourth parades, neighborhood National Night Out events, Love-A-Bull vaccination clinics, Paddle For Puppies, Barkitecture and more. Almost every weekend brings another opportunity to reach out and meet the pets and people of Austin.

“We love doing it,” says Kelly Erb, Firehouse Director of Operations. “Part of what makes our job so gratifying is connecting with Austinites and their pets. We’re 100% behind the idea that Firehouse provides the best in pet health care and is also the most generous vet in Austin. That makes it easy to get out there and let people know about us.”

Firehouse opened its fourth location in Round Rock this fall and a fifth location will open in Dripping Springs in April 2018. A new Firehouse means new community partnerships, ultimately helping pets find their forever homes.

YOU can give back, too! Here are links to Firehouse community partners

Firehouse Austin in Westlake supports
Austin Pets Alive! • Austin Humane Society • Austin Animal Center • Emancipet • Hospice Austin’s Peace of Mind Program

Firehouse Plum Creek in Kyle supports
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

Firehouse Crystal Falls in Leander supports
Texas Humane Heroes • Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter • The Dog Alliance

Cover photo Jennifer Sims Photography