The Humane Society of North Texas was founded in 1905, and is the oldest animal welfare organization in the North Texas region. Originally, the humane society was established as a shelter for women and children; as time passed and the shelter evolved, animals were also welcomed with open arms. The legacy of compassion toward both people and pets is why their motto today is "pets and people, saving each other."
Today, the Humane Society of North Texas’s primary facility is located in Fort Worth. It serves as a central location for adoptions, community outreach, life saving surgeries, and pet intake. The facility also houses the bulk of the Humane Society of North Texas’s administrative offices, dog and cat adoption centers, cruelty investigations, behavioral training teams, and the Rae of Hope program, which provides free basic veterinary care to senior citizens’ pets. It also offers low-cost vaccines and spay and neuter services.
HSNT now has a regional adoption facility which is located in the city of Keller, providing a boutique-style adoption experience. Soon, it will offer an expanded foster service to help make it more accessible for local families to save the lives of animals in the region. Additionally, they operate an Equine & Livestock Ranch in Joshua that spans more than 30 acres where horses and other livestock receive rehabilitation and care while they wait for loving homes.
As a donor-funded non-profit, the foundation does not receive any funding from city, county, state, or federal governments. Their work is made possible entirely due to generous donations from individuals, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and grants. The best ways the public can support the HSNT, is by adopting, donating, fostering, volunteering, or even sharing their mission on social media.
The HSNT’s Senior Marketing Director, Cassie Davidson’s, belief in the foundation's mission began over sixteen years ago when she began volunteering in Keller. Cassie didn’t join the foundation’s marketing team until 2017, and that was when she began to embark on a greater mission to help impact the lives of the animals in her community. “I cannot wait to see the HSNT launch their new regional adoption center in Keller,” Cassie says with excitement. “Whether it’s caring for bottle babies, moms and litters, or short-term fosters, I’m proud to be part of the solution.”
Cassie’s job varies day to day; some days it might be talking to the press or creating content, but it’s clear in her tone of voice that she truly loves what she does. She’s also quick to inform me that she works with some of the most compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking people that she has ever met.
“They show up every day at our adoption and foster centers, fundraising events, and the list goes on. Every day, they are ready to care for these animals with empathy, love, patience, and a true sense of purpose. It may look like comforting a scared animal, supporting an adopter through their first pet experience, or staying late to ensure every pet is safe and clean, their commitment never wavers. The loyalty these people have to the mission and to each other is what makes our organization so special—it truly feels like a family working together to save lives.”
Cassie’s experience with the Humane Society of North Texas over the years has taught her how important it is to feel loved. “They are family, too. One of the biggest misconceptions that I hear is that pets from the humane societies or shelters are somehow broken or less desirable. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We often see purebred and highly sought-after breeds come through our doors -- everything from doodles to huskies to designer cats. Many pets are surrendered simply because their families are moving, have had a baby, or can’t afford care. Shelter pets aren’t broken—they’re simply in need of a new beginning.”
As Cassie and I chat more, she explains how unaware most people are when it comes to the process at their facility. “It starts with listening,” she begins. “We take time to learn what the adopter is looking for—energy level, temperament, experience—and then match them with a pet that fits. Our staff and volunteers work with these pets every day, so we have firsthand insight into their personalities and needs. It’s not about pushing an adoption—it’s about building lifelong matches.”
Theresa Cutler, volunteer at Keller Regional Adoption Center, has also fostered from the Humane Society, and shares the importance of fostering in her life. “When I foster, I have the ability to change the outcome of a life. I find that very fulfilling. Whether it’s a kitten who would otherwise be left to die outside, an animal that needs rehabilitation to live its best life, or any of the other situations HSNT finds animals in, it saves lives. It’s very humbling to be a part of this,” she explains.
It's abundantly clear that Theresa’s experience in fostering has also taught her a lot about the importance of adopting. “Our family chooses to adopt our pets. Why in the world would we buy a dog when the shelter animals need homes and there are so many incredible animals in the shelters. I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful every single one of our adopted pets are! The first pet we adopted in Texas saved my son’s life. Her name is Sunshine, and what a special dog she has been."
Theresa's son, who was diagnosed with autism, brought new experiences to Theresa's family. When she decided to rescue a shelter dog and bring her into her home, her six-year-old son was okay with her, but he was not as enthusiastic as the rest of the family. "From the beginning, Sunshine just knew; she loved him and treated him differently than anyone else in the family," says Theresa.
"The bond they had developed was special. Sunshine was not a big barker, but one day she began to bark uncontrollably. It wasn’t normal for her at all. But when I went to the window to see what she was barking at, I discovered that my son had managed to somehow find his way outside and he was running down the driveway towards the street. I just… I can’t and don’t want to imagine what could have happened if not for their special bond," says Theresa.
Theresa’s story working with, fostering, and owning shelter animals is just one of many successful stories that have evolved from HSNT.
Fostering not only saves lives—it enriches the lives of those that welcome these animals in their home. If you would like to donate your time volunteering, fostering, or adopting an animal from the Humane Society of North Texas, there are many opportunities to do so as the Humane Society of North Texas holds many adoption events throughout the year.
For families with children, it’s an incredible way to show what it means to truly care for those in need. It’s never been easier to get involved, and we’re asking the Keller and surrounding communities to step up and join them in saving lives—right in your own backyard.
For more information on HSNT, volunteering and donating, or adoption, you can visit https://www hsnt.org.
“When I foster, I have the ability to change the outcome of a life. I find that very fulfilling..."
All of the staff and volunteers at HSNT Keller work extremely hard to care for the pets in their facilities. They all show up with so much love to give and passion to set others on fire; and they can't wait to meet any future volunteers, members of the team, or adopters! You can reach out to HSNT Keller directly for more information on any way you can get involved.