DALLAS DOG RESCUE REHAB REFORM

The Problem. What we are aiming to solve
The exponential growth of stray and homeless companion animal population in Texas has generated enormous demand for solutions. In 2020, Houston alone estimated a stray and homeless animal population in excess of one million. Results from a 2019 study performed by the City of San Antonio Animal Services estimates a stray population of over 34,000 stray and roaming dog population at any given time. Current SPCA estimates reflect a population over 200,000 unwanted animals in the Dallas / Ft. Worth metro area annually. Ironically, as Texas shelters move from ‘kill’ to ‘no-kill’ status it increases the overall population, exacerbating the situation.

Influenced by cultural misconceptions, backyard breeders, puppy mills or even personal preferences, spay and neuter levels in Texas are significantly contributing to the overpopulation. Lack of proper vaccinations, monthly prevention for parasites, medical care for injured animals and lack of owner’s financial capacity compound the stray and homeless population - often resulting in animals being ‘dumped’ in remote areas or at shelters due to owners’ lack of financial capacity or commitment to the welfare of their pet... they are viewed as disposable rather than a family member.

City shelters cannot support the overwhelming volume of stray intake and owner-surrendered animals., and not all animals who make it into the shelter can be adopted out for safety, health or behavior issues. Most shelters are not funded for the financial requirements or have the facilities to support long-term care and recovery of critically injured animals. Conversely, many of the hundreds of non-profit rescues in Texas do not have the donor base to support the funding for life-saving / emergency veterinary care which can run in the tens of thousands of dollars for a single dog.

There is not a single answer to the overpopulation situation. It will take a ‘nation’ of state and local resources - shelters, rescues, individuals, corporations, sponsors and donors pulling together to decrease the growth through spay and neuter programs, legislation which holds owners accountable for abuse, neglect and abandonment, fosters to provide temporary homes, financial resources to heal the injured and community focused programs to educate owners and facilitate responsible pet ownership.

It is the mission – and the passion - of Dallas Dog Rescue. Rehab. Reform. (aka Dallas DogRRR) to RESCUE the hurt and abandoned, REHABILITATE the broken, and REFORM the community to decrease the homeless, neglected and abused companion animal population.


Our programs – part of the solution.

Dallas Dog Rescue. Rehab. Reform has developed several programs to achieve our mission.

RESCUE. Dallas DogRRR partners City shelters, communities, individuals and even other rescues to save critically injured animals, animals at risk of euthanasia, those currently or at risk of being homeless and animals who may not be considered ‘adoptable’. Through direct outreach we pull as many dogs as possible from shelter and high risk environments. In fact, the majority of our rescues come to us through our shelter partners both in the Dallas metro area and surrounding communities and from shelters in southern Texas.

REHAB. Dallas DogRRR takes the rehabilitation of our rescued animals very seriously. It is not just medical issues which need to be addressed; the overall mental health, behavior and dog “manners” must be addressed to provide the foundation for a dog to be adopted to their forever home.

Upon intake assessment of a newly rescued dog Dallas DogRRR will provides emergency medical care – if needed - through our established veterinary partners; often performing life-saving procedures and working small miracles to save a rescued animal.
New intakes who do not have life threatening issues receive age-appropriate vaccinations, preventive for fleas / ticks / heartworm, medications for both immediate and long term health issues (e.g. heartworm treatment, tick borne illnesses, kidney / liver / digestive issues) in addition to mandatory spay or neuter prior to adoption.
Both fosters and trainers work with the dogs during their stay in the foster home to address behavioral issues (e.g. marking, separation anxiety), dog life-skills (e.g. crate and leash training), personality and trait feedback (e.g. doesn’t get along with cats or kids) and establishing trusting relationships.
Through direct donors and in kind donations Dallas DogRRR provides all necessary food and supplies for our fosters to provide a safe and caring home environment in which rescued animals can decompress, recover from injuries, and begin their journey to their best life ever.
Once a dog is ready for adoption Dallas DogRRR completes the proper due diligence to insure our rescues are placed in loving homes. From the initial application through home and reference checks, all criteria must pass muster before the adoption process even begins.
Additionally, Dallas DogRRR partners with resources in other states where demand of adoptable animals exceeds availability. These long term relationships and trusted transport partners have allowed Dallas DogRRR to expand our ability to place rescued animals in forever homes.

REFORM. Dallas DogRRR has established outreach programs in local Dallas communities to support pet owners. Education and outreach programs provide opportunities for pet owners to learn
Why spaying or neutering their pet is critical to decrease the overpopulation and providing resources for low cost clinics,
Safety for their pets by keeping them in their home.
Working with owners on solutions to keep their pet rather than surrendering to the shelter when things get tough.
Through our Serenity community program Dallas DogRRR provides medical support to rehabilitate the injured and ill when the family does not have the financial means.
Dallas DogRRR actively engages in efforts to drive Texas legislation to implement laws which drive the decline of overpopulation, decrease of abuse/neglect cases and accountability for owners who choose to harm the voiceless.



Our Results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Dallas DogRRR utilizes several metrics to determine our success including:
Year over year growth of annual intake and adoption rates
Transport and adoption rates for out of state partners
Year over year increases in Donations and Funding to increase our intake of rescued animals and address the most difficult of critical care animals.