Pets need love, too. How you can provide a Christmas assist to Fort Worth animal shelters
Extend your giving holiday spirit to the animals of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth animal shelters house hundreds of pets available for adoption, rescue, or foster care. The city also ensures that every animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and licensed.
While adopting is a great way to bring new life into your home, it does come with a lot of responsibility. The Star-Telegram reached out to the Fort Worth Animal Shelter staff for tips on finding the right pet for you.
If you feel led to donate, the Silcox and North campuses both organized Amazon lists of supplies that the shelters need.
How to donate to the Fort Worth Animal Shelter
If you order from the shelter’s Amazon list, all you have to do is add an item from either list to your cart and then go to checkout.
At checkout, the items will automatically be registered as a gift and have the shelter’s address attached to them. You should then see the option to select “Fort Worth Animal Care and Control” when prompted to select a delivery address. Links to both wish lists are below:
The items on the lists range in price from $5 to $60, and there are options to donate leashes, food, treats, or vitamins.
What to consider before adopting a pet
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control is responsible for sheltering the animals of Fort Worth, whether in their own shelter or by giving up pets for adoption or foster care.
If you are considering adopting, Fort Worth Animal Care and Control acknowledges that there are several factors that play into choosing the right fit, including age, breed, and health history.
“Puppies and kittens usually require more attention than an older dog/cat, as they are in critical developmental stages,” says Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. “Older pets need less intense but still regular attention, depending on their background, health and activity level.”
If adopting a younger pet, it’s smart to consider this:
FWACC says these early development stages require more time and attention due to training, playing, feeding and supervision which equals an estimated 4 to 6 hours daily.
Pet socialization is very important, “Both (kittens and puppies) need exposure to new environments, people, and animals to prevent fear or aggression issues later.” Ensure that your pet is fully vaccinated before socializing them.
Puppies may need more house training and guidance, whereas kittens will just need litter training and some boundaries.
Older pets still require a few hours of attention too. Cuddling, playing, walking, and routines keep older dogs active and are key to their mental stimulation. However, just like humans, older pets may require regular vet visits or more attention due to medical issues.
“Adopting a pet with health issues can be deeply rewarding but requires some preparation and added responsibility,” says FWACC. “Most shelter animals have an unknown medical background and are often times susceptible to many different illnesses if not previously vaccinated. The new owners would still be responsible for any tests or medication prescribed.
With this comes more time, more attention to your pet, and keeping up with their medicine. Physical ailments can also impact a dog’s mental health. It’s important to show extra love to pets who are hurting.
Finally, Fort Worth Animal Care and Control gave insight into the traits some breeds possess. This can help narrow down the pet you are looking for,
High-Energy Breeds: Border Collies, Huskies, and Shepherds are a few breeds that need significant daily exercise and mental stimulation.
Working Breeds: Dogs bred for tasks (e.g., herding, hunting) may develop behavioral issues without proper outlets for their instincts.
Training Needs: Independent or stubborn breeds like Akitas or Belgian Malinois may require experienced handlers.
Health-Prone Breeds: Breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs are prone to breathing problems, while large breeds like Great Danes may have joint issues.
Grooming-Intensive Breeds: some breeds like Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Persians require regular grooming to prevent matting and skin issues.
How to adopt a pet at a Fort Worth animal shelter
Fort Worth has adoptions for dogs priced at $49 and cats priced at $25. Rescuing from the Urgent Placement Pets list is a great way to take in a pet that may have been euthanized otherwise.
The Urgent Placement Pets list often features animals with health complications or high chances of being euthanized. The shelter also updates its Facebook page whenever a new pet is added to the list.
To tag an Urgent Placement Pet, you must email FWACCTAG@fortworthtexas.gov by 5 p.m. the date prior the animal is scheduled to be reviewed.
If you would rather browse Fort Worth shelter’s options, you can visit its website or one of their four locations:
Chuck and Brenda Silcox Center: 4900 Martin St., Fort Worth
North Animal Campus: 351 Hillshire Drive, Fort Worth
Alliance Petsmart: 2900 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Fort Worth
Hulen Petsmart: 4800 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth
You must have a valid photo I.D. and correct documents (from Fort Worth’s website) to adopt.
How to donate to Fort Worth animal shelters
If you don’t want to buy toys or a pet, you can donate to the shelters.
“Your gift will help save the lives of countless animals in Fort Worth, providing shelter and care, medical treatment and adoption,” says the City of Fort Worth.
You can donate at their website with any amount you like.