Animal News

Dallas animal organization donates grants to 3 life-saving groups

One of the many animals helped by Mazie's Mission.

Mazie's Mission

Three acclaimed North Texas animal organizations have received generous grants for the work they do to help animals in Dallas.

The donations come from Dallas Companion Animal Project (DCAP), a longtime Dallas-based advocacy group.

The three recipient organizations include:

Operation Kindness, the original and largest no-kill animal shelter in North Texas. Since their founding in 1976, Operation Kindness has saved the lives of nearly 100,000 homeless animals. All of their income comes from donations from individuals and businesses, adoptions, and fundraising events.
Spay Neuter Network, which works to end euthanasia by providing low-cost spaying, neutering, vaccines, and microchipping. SNN focuses on underserved neighborhoods, where people don't have the funds or access to veterinarian offices.
Mazie's Mission, a nonprofit veterinary hospital serving rescue groups and municipal shelters. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Erin Schults, it's the only veterinary clinic of its kind in the country, serving only pets in the rescue system. They do not see privately owned pets.

Operation Kindness and SNN will each receive $75,000 to help provide medical services to dogs and cats that have landed at Dallas Animal Services (DAS), the city of Dallas shelter, that are not covered by available services or other existing grants.

Mazie's Mission will receive $50,000 for medical costs.

This is the first grant award made by DCAP. The money was left in a bequest to DCAP by a Dallas animal lover who passed away and requested anonymity. The monies have been held in DCAP's authority until programs were identified, and the organizations chosen to insure that the deceased's wishes were followed as authorized in the will.

In a release, DCAP president Maeleska Fletes says that her group is thrilled at the opportunity to save more lives.

"Animals ending up at DAS can be in varying stages of need and many times the resources aren't available," she says.

The grant to Operation Kindness is designed to help the organization transfer more animals out of Dallas Animal Services by providing funds for medical treatments to animals that otherwise may have euthanized.

The grant to SNN helps fund more spay and neuter surgeries, heartworm treatments, and other procedures.

The grant to Mazie's Mission will help the group continue their mission to treat sick and injured animals taken on by local rescue groups from Dallas Animal Services.

"Mazie's Mission is honored to receive this generous grant from DCAP," says Schults in a statement. "We are firm believers that when rescue organizations work together, more animals' lives are saved. We are excited to be able to bring more animals from Dallas Animal Services into the Mazie's rescue program."

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Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

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