The Animal Defense League of Texas and the City’s Animal Care Services Department have entered into a new multimillion-dollar partnership to prevent dogs from being euthanized.
The ADL now has three new buildings to take in dogs from the ACS — one for puppies, and two for adult dogs. The city’s 2012 bond program allowed for $2 million toward the construction of these kennels.
ACS Director Kathy Davis said it would allow thousands of dogs to be saved. “We are so close to no kill that we think that this is final jewel in the crown, which will launch us to that level.”
Many of the pooches and puppies have already been transferred into the new kennels. Janice Darling, Defense League Executive Director, said this addition doubled their canine capacity and added that they’d been preparing for this for months. “Our hospital has to be prepared to take these animals in, we have to be prepared and be able to do the spaying, neutering, and workup, to treat animals that come in with any sort of illness or injury.”
Under a contract, just over 3,000 dogs will be transferred to the league every year; previously, that number was 700 per year. There is a currently existing program for cats.
