Local resources are available for pet owners

By Beth Leermakers

Texas animal shelters and rescue groups are overflowing with homeless animals — strays and owner surrenders. Some people give up their animals because they can’t afford to feed them or provide veterinary care. 

To help people keep their pets, several DFW-area organizations provide free pet food and low cost (sometimes free) veterinary services. If you or someone you know is struggling to care for furry family members, please reach out to these groups for assistance. These organizations rely on pet food and monetary donations to operate these life-saving programs, so please donate if you can. 

Seniors’ Pet Assistance Network (SPAN; seniorspets.org; info@seniorspets.org). SPAN provides pet food and financial assistance for basic veterinary care (annual shots, heartworm and flea prevention) for Dallas County low-income seniors, 67 years and older. SPAN may be able to assist with other veterinary services, if funds are available. Volunteers deliver pet food and kitty litter to the senior’s home. Visit seniorspets.org/need-assistance to apply for help. Applicants must meet age and income eligibility requirements. 

Dallas Animal Services (DAS; bedallas90.org/pet-resources; daspetsupport@dallas.gov; 1818 North Westmoreland Rd., Dallas). 

Pet Food Pantry. DAS distributes food to pet owners at the shelter on the second Saturday and fourth Wednesday of every month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. or until supplies run out. The pet food pantry operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early. The next pantry is on Wednesday, September 24. 

Spay/neuter services. In Dallas, dogs and cats six months or older must be spayed or neutered. Visit bedallas90.org/spayneuter for contact information for Spay Neuter Network and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection. 

Dehart Veterinary Services provides a low-cost spay/neuter clinic at Dallas Animal Services on the third Friday of every month, for City of Dallas residents only. Appointments are required. Cost: Cats – $25, Dogs – $35 ($10 appointment deposit required). Includes: spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, DHPP/FVRCP combo vaccine, and microchip. Dallas Animal Services will pay the $25 fee if you live in one the following zip codes: 75208, 75211, 75212, 75216, 75217, 75221, 75222, 75224, 75227, 75241. All pit bull dogs owned by City of Dallas residents will receive a free surgery regardless of zip code. To book your appointment, call or text 903-590-7722 or visit dehartvetservices.com/services/spayneuter/. Email info@dehartvetservices.com for more information.

DAS provides transportation to Operation Kindness for free spay/neuter surgeries. Transport surgeries are free for residents in these zip codes: 75208, 75211, 75212, 75216, 75217, 75224, 75227, 75228, 75232 and 75241. Email spayneuter@operationkindness.org to request an appointment. 

Free or low-cost wellness events. Visit bedallas90.org/category/community-wellness for a list of vaccination clinics. There is a Low-Cost Wellness Clinic at DAS on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon. Rabies (required in Dallas) is only $5. 

SPCA of Texas (spca.org/resources/pet-needs/support-to-keep-your-pet/; 214-742-7722). The SPCA provides pet food assistance, medical assistance and low-cost spay/neuter surgery. 

Pet food. The Russell H. Perry Pet Resource Center pet food program provides temporary assistance to pet owners in the Dallas/Fort Worth area during a financial hardship. Complete this online form to request assistance: spca.org/resources/pet-needs/support-to-keep-your-pet/request-assistance. 

The SPCA also offers free drive-thru pet food pantries. The next one is on Sunday, Sept. 21. You must register at spca.org/resources/pet-needs/support-to-keep-your-pet/drive-thru-pet-food-pantry/. 

Spay/neuter (spca.org/resources/clinic/spay-neuter; 214-742-7722). The SPCA offers low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter services. There are limited spots for large dog (larger than 30 lbs.) spay/neuters, and these appointments usually book out at least two to three weeks in advance. 

Operation Kindness (operationkindness.org; 3201 Earhart Dr., Carrollton, TX 75006; 972-418-7297) 

The Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry (operationkindness.org/pet-food-pantry/) offers free dog and cat food, litter and other supplies based on availability. If you need assistance with free pet food, apply online at operationkindness.org/pantry-application (English) or operationkindness.org/pantry-application-spanish/ (Spanish). The Pet Food Pantry is open every Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Veterinary services (operationkindness.org/community-initiatives/; ci@operationkindness.org; 972-418-7297). Operation Kindness offers affordable, accessible veterinary services for community pets (cats and dogs). Services include free or low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics, spay/neuter surgeries and general wellness.

Other Metroplex Resources

Cause for Paws (causeforpawstexas.com/; causeforpawstexas@gmail.com; 903-454-7387; 5810 Joe Ramsey Boulevard North, Greenville 75402). Open every Monday and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for low-cost vaccinations. You must schedule an appointment for a low-cost spay/neuter surgery. Spay (female cats): $50. Neuter (male cats): $35. Spay (female dogs): $65-$75 (depending on weight). Neuter (male dogs): $50-$85 (depending on weight). Refer to the website for restrictions.  

CHEW Animal Clinic (chewac.org; 8484 Walnut Hill Ln., Dallas 75231; 469-620-2828). CHEW offers comprehensive medical, surgical and critical care services at affordable prices for qualified families. Chew’s Compassion Fund (funded by donations) helps provide veterinary care. People can apply for one-time assistance (chewac.org/compassion-fund-application). 

Dallas Animal Urgent Care (dallasanimalurgentcare.com 12835 Preston Rd., Suite 405, Dallas 75230; 972-910-2890) This clinic provides vaccinations, humane euthanasia and urgent/emergency care at regular (not emergency vet) prices seven days a week from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Walk in only. 

Legacy Humane Veterinary Clinic (lhvc.co; 214-494-0045; 5121 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste 1200, McKinney, TX 75070). LHVC offers veterinary care (vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention; spay/neuter and other surgeries, basic diagnostics; heartworm testing and treatment) at affordable prices. LHVC offers a Veterinary Assistance Program for low-income individuals and families. Visit lhvc.co/veterinary-assistance-program for details. LHVC’s Angel Care Fund provides financial assistance to help cover medical procedures that are lifesaving or provide significant enhancement to quality of life. Visit lhvc.co/the-angel-care-fund/ for information. 

Humane Tomorrow – Flowers Fund (https://humanetomorrow.org/programs/flowersfund/). Humane Tomorrow helps DFW residents pay for emergency veterinary care or pet deposits. To apply for assistance, visit https://new.shelterluv.com/form/community/HTTX/41029-flowers-fund or email flowersfund@humanetomorrow.org.