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Rescue Me

Dallas is full of facilities for furry friends that local animal lovers need to get to know.

Actress Doris Day once remarked, “I’ve never met an animal I didn’t like. I can’t say the same for people.”

Everyone believes they have the perfect pet. (And you would be right, of course!) And there are more furry friends out there to make man's or woman's best friend. The undeniable fact is that local shelters are full. And the dogs, cats, and other animals housed there all need love and compassion. From large and well-known to smaller organizations with finely tuned demographic targets, the region is innovative and successful when it comes to pets. Many of these local agencies routinely work together for the greater good of our four-legged friends. Here, we round up a few of our favorites.

Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals

Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals is a suitable place to start. Founded in 1938, the SPCA of North Texas is the longest-serving animal welfare agency in the region, whose mission is to provide every animal exceptional care and loving homes. In addition to protecting and providing shelter to strays and animals in danger, the SPCA of North Texas deals with proper pet care and animal adoption. (spca.org) 

Operation Kindness

Founded in 1976, Operation Kindness is a respected pioneer in North Texas. It is privately funded and dedicated to providing healthy and happy pets, advanced medical services to the animals in its care, behavior and enrichment services, and surrender prevention programs such as a pet food pantry, which last year distributed more than 87,000 lbs. of food, litter, and supplies, in addition to temporary foster assistance, shelter, and care for 4,643 animals. It has a bustling animal hospital, a Parvo ICU, and a neonatal kitten nursery, which speaks to its unique ability to treat animals on-premises. OPK also has a 9,000-square-foot animal hospital, the Rees-Jones Medical Wing, and an expanded, state-of-the-art dog and cat housing for nearly 300 animals each day. Over 80 percent of the animals served in 2021 were transferred from 71 shelter partners, which includes city shelters, humane societies, and smaller rescue groups. Their annual fundraiser is a splashy evening event. Canines, Cats & Cabernet is scheduled for November 12 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. (operationkindness.org)

Dallas Pets Alive!

Dallas Pets Alive! is another group that’s built a solid reputation in the community. Its goal is to “one day make all of North Texas no-kill,” and its mission is to promote and provide the resources, education, and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals in the DFW region. The nonprofit takes an innovative approach to animal rescue, with the goal of creating a paradigm shift in the way the community views animal rescue. Run mostly by volunteers, all of their pets are housed by foster families throughout the region, rescuing and helping healthy and treatable pets at greatest risk for euthanasia. Dallas Pets Alive! also aids and provides resources to owners having problems so substantial that they need to surrender their pets to a shelter. (petsalive.org) 

The Human Society of North Texas

The Human Society of North Texas is another well-known nonprofit that receives no operational funding from any national animal welfare organization. The organization has built policies around saving lives and HSNT reports that its adoptions have grown in the past few years by expanding the transfer and foster programs in order to help save even more lives. HSNT’s average live release rate in 2021 was 96 percent or greater, due to an unwavering commitment to find homes for all pets in their care, or transfer them to other shelters, rescues, or foster homes. (hsnt.org)

Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services recently launched an intriguing supplemental campaign called Dallas90 that showcases the lifesaving community outreach work by the City of Dallas. It is designed to generate even more public support for their work to find positive outcomes for all healthy and behaviorally sound pets. One local agency commented that the DAS effort is “knocking it out of the park” and gaining positive attention among colleagues in the pet community. The sleek new website is interactive, mobile-friendly, and highlights DAS programs and services, lifesaving statistics, and ways to get involved. (bedallas90.org)

The Spay Neuter Network

The Spay Neuter Network is an integral member of a unique partnership program between the City of Dallas and DAS that addresses feral cat issues, provides resources to keep pets in their homes, helps owners rehome their pets, and routes pets directly to rescue groups for quicker adoptions. SNN is an important provider when it comes to vaccines and microchipping, and works in close concert with other local agencies such as Operation Kindness. (spayneuternet.org)

Dogs Matter

Dogs Matter is another local rescue organization with a distinctive niche. It provides free, temporary foster placement and a variety of supportive services specifically for dogs of addicts and alcoholics seeking treatment and transitioning into recovery. Founded in 2014 by Stephen Knight, a former addict and longtime substance abuse counselor, he estimates they’ve helped hundreds of dogs and their owners. Donor-supported, Dogs Matter handles food and veterinarian services, regularly updates clients, and includes free aftercare follow-ups for up to a year. Knight’s goal is to have services in every major city over the next decade. “We also hope to have a Dallas facility [they currently operate with a special van that was donated by CarLotz during a TV appearance on the “Kelly Clarkson Show”] that can have a place for the dog and client to get healthy by boarding, daycare, training for the dog, and treatment for the owner. You can bring your dog to play while you attend a 12-step meeting.” (dogsmatter2.org)

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