Name your adoption fee for all available animals at our Dallas Animal Care Center, Ellis County Animal Care Center, and in foster in November.
THE Myron K. Martin Clinic is open for spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats. Make an appointment today.
Save lives today with a gift that will go straight to work protecting and caring for animals throughout North Texas.
Volunteer and make every day special for the animals in our shelters. Give your time and heart based on your schedule and interests.
UPDATE as of August 15, 2022:
Both of the SPCA of Texas’s shelters have reopened in the wake of the canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreak that began in early June after rounds of testing to confirm all dogs at each facility were clear of CDV. Because up to half of all dogs infected with distemper are asymptomatic, several rounds of testing for CDV have been critical to determine that dogs in care were not shedding the distemper virus without any observable symptoms.
On Monday, August 15, the SPCA of Texas resumed normal medical and behavior operations (including walks and play yards), movement for adoption, transfer and rescue at the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center (Dealey ARC).
Friday, August 5, the SPCA of Texas resumed intake of stray animals from partner Animal Control Officers in fulfillment of the organization’s contracts with local municipalities at its Ellis County Animal Care Center (Ellis County ACC). On Tuesday, August 9, the Ellis County ACC opened to the public for adoptions and will resume normal business hours, which are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The SPCA of Texas reminds the citizens of Ellis County to look for lost pets at the Ellis County ACC and online.
On Wednesday, July 14, the SPCA of Texas re-opened its animal Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center (JRJ ACC) in Dallas for adoptions and resumed its normal adoption hours, which are seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m.
The organization has welcomed back volunteers, adopters and community members at both of its JRJ and Ellis County ACCs and the Dealey ARC. At this time, the SPCA of Texas is only taking in animals previously adopted from the organization as space allows, and is not able to take in animals surrendered by individuals.
After the first cases of CDV at the SPCA of Texas were identified, in consultation with veterinary viral disease expert Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD, the SPCA of Texas’ medical team, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amber Alu, developed a proactive, broad-based response plan to maximize lifesaving, minimize further spread of the virus and protect the community.
Animals with CDV have been isolated for treatment at the Myron K. Martin Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Care Clinic (Martin Clinic). As these animals are clear from the virus, they are moved back into the normal population.
If any dogs test positive for Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) at the shelter, we are immediately isolating them at our medical teams counsel and attempting to get them into a foster home. Since distemper positive dogs can shed the virus to other dogs for up to 3 months, they need to be isolated for that entire period or they pose a risk to other dogs at the shelter.
Please reach out via email at foster@spca.org if you are able to foster a CDV positive dog this summer.
• Canine distemper virus (CDV) is highly contagious and can be fatal. • It can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs and ferrets as well as wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks. • Cats and humans are not at risk for infection by canine distemper virus. • It is spread through all respiratory secretions and bodily waste. • Pet dogs and ferrets interacting with wildlife or exposed to their waste are at risk of contracting the canine distemper virus. • While young animals are the most vulnerable, unvaccinated dogs of all ages are susceptible.
• Symptoms range from no visible signs of illness to mild respiratory issues such as a runny nose and eyes to severe respiratory symptoms, thickened footpads or nose skin, seizures, neurological deficits and decline. • Animals can be contagious for months.
SPCA of Texas staff is reaching out to each person who adopted a dog from May 1, 2022 through June 7, 2022. While your animal was up to date on vaccinations at the time of adoption, we will discuss the potential exposure, symptoms and testing options if your dog is exhibiting symptoms. If you have questions, please reach out to us directly at adoption@spca.org.
Dogs become infected with CDV through direct (close) contact with an infected dog’s bodily fluids or through contact with surfaces and objects that have been contaminated with the virus (e.g., grooming tools, shared water bowls, floor, hands, etc.).
There is no cure for canine distemper infection. Treatment includes supportive care, but some dogs do not survive.
“This disease is highly preventable when dogs are properly vaccinated,” said Dr. Amber Alu, SPCA of Texas Chief Medical Officer. “The vaccine is very effective and is far less expensive than treating the disease or losing your pet to the virus. I highly recommend all dog and ferret owners make sure their pets’ distemper vaccination is up to date. Dog owners should also use caution when socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs where dogs congregate such as parks.”
• This disease is highly preventable when dogs are properly vaccinated. • The vaccine is very effective and is far less expensive than treating the disease or losing your pet to the virus. • Our veterinary staff recommends that all dog and ferret owners make sure their pets’ distemper vaccination is up to date. • Dog owners should also use caution when socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs where dogs congregate such as parks.” • As a reminder, all SPCA of Texas animals are vaccinated on intake if no proof of vaccinations exists. But if the animal has not previously been vaccinated, it can take up to 2 weeks before any significant immunity to such viruses is achieved.
Here are some of the items we need most:
These can be dropped off in the bin outside the front door of the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212.