Operation Kindness, founded in
1976 in Carrollton, Texas, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the oldest and largest no-kill
animal shelter in the
Dallas/Ft. Worth area. All their income is derived from donations from
individuals and businesses, adoptions, fundraising events and the sale
of pet-related merchandise.
An average of 150-200 animals are cared for daily, with 60-80 more animals
placed in foster homes. Operation Kindness finds homes for 2,300
dogs and
cats each year.
Mission
The mission of Operation Kindness is to provide a caring, no-kill
shelter for homeless or unwanted cats and dogs until they are adopted into
responsible, loving families. They accomplish this by:
Providing high-quality veterinary care to the animals in their shelter
and in foster homes.
Dedicating their efforts to finding caring, responsible families who
will make a lifetime commitment to the animals they adopt.
Educating the public about responsible pet care and the importance of
spaying and neutering their pets.
Participating in coalitions that share the goal of eliminating animal
overpopulation and
euthanasia as a means of animal control.
Programs and services
Adoptions
Potential adopters are thoroughly interviewed by trained adoption
counselors so they can match people with pets that best meet their needs and
ensure that the individual needs of each animal are met. Animals are vaccinated,
given worming medication and checked for external parasites. Dogs are tested for
heartworms
and started on preventive if heartworm negative or treated if heartworm
positive. Cats are tested for
FeLV and FIV.
Spay/Neuter
All animals adopted from Operation Kindness are
spayed or neutered. Operation Kindness is a member of the Spay Neuter Your Pet (SNYP)
coalition and distributes low-cost spay/neuter information to the public.
Habitat for Hounds
Operation Kindness distributes donated dog houses for dogs in
low-income neighborhoods who are living with inadequate or no shelter.
Education
The Operation Kindness staff and volunteers frequently speak to
community, school and youth groups to educate on pet overpopualtion, the
importance of spaying/neutering pets, responsible pet care and kindness to
animals.
Nursing Home Visits
Operation Kindness staff and volunteers take dogs and cats to area
nursing homes to visit with residents, providing them with flowers, friendship,
the opportunity to cuddle with the animals and recall pets of their own.
Donations
There are many ways to donate to Operation Kindness:
Automatic contribution: money is withdrawn from a donor's
checking account each month.
Special events: donors holding special events (birthdays,
scout
meetings, etc.) can request that their guests bring cash donations or items
the shelter needs for daily care of the animals
Volunteer: people can volunteer their time at the shelter or
become a foster home for animals.
Grocery shopping: select grocery stores in the Dallas/Ft. Worth
area donatate a percentage of sales when customers use their
reward cards.
Old cars: donate old cars.
Kids & Operation Paws:
elementary and middle school students sponsor a homeless animal at the shelter for a
small donation.