Photo via Operation Kindness Facebook page | Photo by Teresa Burg Photography
Last year was abrphenomenal year for Operation Kindness, the original and largest no-kill shelter in NorthbrTexas. Not only didbrthe shelter celebrate its 40th anniversarybrin 2016, but itbralso broke adoption records for the fifth consecutive year; a total of 4,566brhomeless animals found forever homes.
“Last year we celebrated 40 yearsbrof finding homeless animals forever homes,” said Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness, viabrpress release. “Since ourbrinception in 1976, we have saved the lives of more than 90,000 animals, growingbrto become North Texas' largest no-kill animal shelter.
“Annually, the shelter cares forbrmore than 5,000 dogs and cats, with more than 300 animals available at thebrshelter daily and another 100-150 animals in the care of foster families. Webrare so grateful for the dedicated support of our generous donors, communitybrpartners, volunteers, foster families and staff who help us grow each year,” hebradded.
For each animal adopted, OperationbrKindness is able to save another animal's life. Dogs and cats of all sizes,brbreeds, colors and ages are available for a small adoption fee, which includesbrvaccinations, worming, testing, microchipping, collar and ID tag. Adoption fees arebr$135 for cats/kittens and $185 for dogs/puppies.
Adoption fees also help cover the costs of caring for the animalsbrincluding food, medicine, tests, spay/neuter surgery, other surgeries, medicalbrprocedures, rehabilitation and recovery. Inbr2016, Operation Kindness provided care to 4,887 animals; performed 2,875 spay/neuterbrsurgeries, 20,656 exams and 250 medical surgeries; gave more than $100,000brworth of medicine; and provided more than 292,000 meals.
More than 50 percent ofbrthese animals came to Operation Kindness from transfer partners. The no-killbrshelter partners with municipal shelters like Dallas Animal Services to helpbrwith their overpopulation. Allotting more than 50 percent of the shelter spacebrto municipal shelter transfers, the rest of the space contains surrenders frombrfirst responders, good Samaritans and owners.
Operation Kindness, unlike other nonprofits, does not receive fundingbrfrom the government, instead relying solely on funds from donations, grants andbradoption fees to care for homeless animals. As Operation Kindness continues tobrexpand their services to save more lives, their expenses grow as well.
Learn more at OperationKindness.org.