United for the Pets—North Texas Animal Shelters and Rescues Step Up to Help During California Disaster

To work successfully in the arena of animal welfare, one must be compassionate, hard-working and resilient. Animal welfare agencies must work together for more animals to be rescued successfully. Especially during disasters such as the wildfires currently ravaging Southern California.

One of the best ways to help local family pets who might be lost or missing because of a disaster to be reunited with their families, is for local shelters to empty their kennels of adoptable pets and make room for these lost animals. Such is the case for numerous shelters/rescues in the Los Angeles region.

Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, more than 180 adoptable pets will arrive in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex ready to find loving homes. And North Texas animal welfare workers will be right there, ready to receive them.

Thanks to the partnership of the Humane Society of North Texas and Wings of Rescue—a charity that flies abandoned, homeless and at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to shelters with available space without displacing any locally sheltered pets—reached out to the SPCA of Texas, we jumped at the chance to help.

“We are pleased to partner with so many fantastic animal welfare agencies across the country to help the shelter pets affected by the horrific wildfires in California,” said SPCA of Texas President & CEO Chris Luna. “The SPCA of Texas is one of several North Texas shelters and rescues participating in this weekend’s transport of dogs and cats from Los Angeles, which was led by Humane Society of North Texas, Wings of Rescue, and Best Friends Animal Society. Each of the 50 shelter pets we will receive has been vetted and the majority of them will be available for adoption or foster early next week. We are proud to pay it forward.”

Each animal coming into the SPCA of Texas animal care centers will be examined and if any treatment or spay/neuter is required, the medical team will make sure it happens. Pets deemed ready for adoption or fostering will be made available to the public Tuesday, January 21^st at the Dallas Animal Care Center (2400 & 2121 Lone Star Drive, 75201) beginning at noon.

Some of the pets transported from California will continue their journey to a few of the SPCA of Texas’ partners in the Northeast where there’s capacity and opportunity for adoption.

“Transporting some of the animals to rescues and shelters in the Northeast is another example of the animal welfare family coming together in a time of great need,” Luna added. “Moving as many adoptable pets as possible out of the California shelters allows more space for the displaced or lost family pets from the area to be taken care of while their parents search for them.

“I know I would want the same opportunity for my beloved pets. If lost in this disaster, I’d appreciate the local shelters making room, just in case my furry family member was found or rescued by a first responder or good Samaritan; so, they would have a designated place to take the pets, and I would know where to look for them.”

Highlights of the Effort:

• Collaboration Across States: This transport showcases how shelters nationwide work together during crises, similar to how Texas shelters have received aid during hurricanes and tornadoes.
• Efficient Animal Care: Most of the 50 pets received by the SPCA of Texas will already be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Those needing further care will be attended to before being made available for adoption or fostering.
• Broader Impact: By moving adoptable pets out of California shelters, space is created for local pets affected by the disaster, increasing the chances of reuniting them with their families.
• Continued Partnerships: Some pets will continue their journey to Northeastern states like New York and Massachusetts, where shelters have more capacity and adoption opportunities.
• Ongoing Local Efforts: We will continue to take in animals through all our usual avenues such as Animal Cruelty Investigations, strays from Ellis County and unincorporated Dallas County, alumni surrender, and from partner shelters locally.

What You Can Do:

• Adopt pets currently in North Texas shelters to help free up space for these incoming animals and others who need care.
• Support the SPCA of Texas’ ongoing efforts through donations or by fostering animals in need.