Our Story
Big Little Paws began with a resilient German Shepherd named Bear.
Rescued from an abusive home, ran away and was hit by a car and left on the side of the road in 2019. Bear overcame incredible odds, including a hip and leg amputation, to find love and a fresh start with us.
Inspired by his journey, we turned our tiny apartment into a haven for pups, starting with one dog and growing into the warm, spacious home we have today in Austin.
Every dog we care for carries on Bear’s legacy: resilience, love, and joy.
Here, your pup will experience personalized care, endless play, and a place they’ll never want to leave.
Welcome to Big Little Paws, where every wagging tail has a story.
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Bear continues to live on in our logos. The Paws and Ears are his!
This is not a facility. It's a home.
Most places don't screen the dogs they let in.
That means your dog can be surrounded by aggressive dogs, dogs with a history of fights, and ones that get territorial over food and toys. Or dogs that bark and whine the entire day, making your pup stressed out. Some of these places don't even have a yard. Just a big room full of dogs in cages.
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Big Little Paws does not accept aggressive dogs or dogs that don't fit the pack. The safety and happiness of the existing group always comes first. This place is not a fit for everyone, and that is by design.
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This is Sonya and Bryce's home in East Austin.
Every dog here was personally screened and approved before their first visit. Sonya and Bryce know every dog in the group. They know who gets along with who, who needs a few minutes to warm up, and who is going to be first in the water on Field Trip Friday. Dogs are grouped by behavior and energy, so your shy dog isn't getting steamrolled by one with no off switch.