According to Dallas Pets Alive! Founder and Executive Director Leslie Sans,
“This year local animal shelters here in North Texas are seeing unprecedented numbers of pets being surrendered by their families causing overcrowding and leading to animals being euthanized for simply running out of space. The financial crisis is affecting humans and their pets, causing individuals to choose between feeding their families or their pets. Many shelters for the first time post-pandemic are being forced to euthanize for space because of the increase in animal intake and people just not adopting or fostering anymore. We must step up as a community to help our most vulnerable.
“At Dallas Pets Alive one of the primary reasons behind the work we do is our deep commitment to keeping families whole . . . and when we say families, we believe that our furry family members are a part of what makes a family complete. We need your help this North Texas Giving Day to ensure that pets and their people can stay together.
“Our Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS) program, established in 2016, works to help Dallas area families keep their pets in their homes and out of the shelters by providing medical care, training, temporary boarding, and other resources to residents in need. PASS is designed to primarily serve the low-income community and those with life circumstances that increase the risk of shelter surrenders, including: people experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness, and individuals seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment. While the program keeps families together, it also keeps kennel spaces open at local shelters.
“PASS has seen a steady increase in the number of requests for pet assistance. In June this year, we received 427 requests for help which is 84% higher than June of 2021. To support the increase in help our community needs, this North Texas Giving Day double your impact by giving to not only pets in need but their families as well with a gift to DPA. Together we can help give pets and their people the opportunity to stay whole and help local shelters to reduce the number of pets coming in their doors.
“One of our clients says it best. She found herself homeless after experiencing a domestic violence situation, and was accepted into a shelter who has a kennel for pets, however would not allow her pit bull to stay due to breed restrictions. She was devastated, fearing the worst she would have to surrender her beloved baby. We were able to step in and get her the temporary housing for her pet. She said, ‘If it wasn’t for the PASS program I wouldn’t have him and I would be devastated. He is my best buddy. Special thanks to DPA. True lifeline.’”
* Graphic/photo provided by Dallas Pets Alive!
Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day helps build awareness and support for nonprofits like nothing else. In 2021, $66 million was raised through 103,000 donors benefiting over 3,300 local nonprofits, bringing the 13-year total to over $441 million for our community. NTx Giving Day is the largest community-wide giving event in the nation.
On Thursday, September 22, support Dallas Pets Alive! by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay