‘It’s the right thing to do’: Austin man takes care of homeless animals and their owners

Stephen Tucker’s home was a burgundy Buick Regal Gran Sport parked in the downtown lot under Interstate 35, with blankets covering the windows. Tucker had recently replaced the battery, but the car still wouldn’t start.
“Hey, it’s the mechanic!” Brendan Gemmell hollered as he pulled up in his Austin Animal Services van on a recent morning.
“Can you give me a boost?” Tucker asked.
“You got it, brother,” Gemmell said.
While Tucker connected the jumper cables, his partner, Laurie Parkhurst, dished about their three dogs — how Stitch got neutered (“Good!” Gemmell said), how Rose was getting compliments on that dog sweater Gemmell had given her, how Molly’s birthday was coming up that weekend.
“Give these to them for birthday presents,” said Gemmell, handing Parkhurst three bully stick chew toys. “Make sure they don’t fight over them.”