Animal News

Dallas city animal shelter is overflowing and invites all to chip in

Fostering only takes a couple weeks and saves lives.

Dallas Animal Services

If you've been saying you really want to help animals but don't know how, now's your chance: Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is currently overflowing with dogs and needs adopters and fosters to step in and help.

The shelter specifically has too many medium-size and large dogs, and they've run out of kennels. If adopters and/or fosters were to take some dogs home, either temporarily or permanently, it would create space for hundreds more pets that are expected to arrive this week.

DAS Director MeLissa Webber calls it a "crisis."

"We have over 375 dogs in our building and have run out of space to hold the medium and large dogs coming in," Webber says. "As an open admission shelter, we can't stop taking in pets. Despite our best efforts and most creative solutions, we are now out of options. We need the immediate help of the community to avoid heartbreaking decisions tomorrow."

Their goal is to prevent the deaths of healthy, adoptable dogs who would be euthanized because there is no space, and they've created a fast-track process for new dog fosters with both virtual and person options.

Fostering is a practice where you take the dog into your home for a short period of time. Most foster cases last from a few days to a few weeks and DAS can provide necessary pet care supplies such as crates, food, and bowls.

"Whether you can take a pet in for three days or three months, becoming a foster will literally save a life," Webber says.

Fostering involves:

Filling out an application for fosters on www.BeDallas90.org with a virtual orientation that prepares you for caring for the dog in your home and shows how to can select a dog in need.
Having a short phone call with the Foster Team who can answer your questions, match you with the right pet, and finalize your paperwork.
Pick up the dog curbside — you don't even need to enter the shelter building.

If you prefer to see a dog in person, visit the shelter during normal business hours. A staff member will walk you through the process so that you can take the dog home right away. If you need help finding a good match, their onsite team is also available to make recommendations.

For those who are considering adopting, Webber suggests visiting in person. "The online process typically takes a few days to complete and right now, every minute counts," she says.

Currently, all DAS pets are free to adopt and come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and with a voucher for a free veterinary visit. DAS offers daily adoptions inside its main shelter on Westmoreland Road and at its PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center on North Coit Road, as well as on its website at www.BeDallas90.org.

DAS is open for adoptions and foster inquiries at 1818 North Westmoreland Rd. Monday-Friday from 1-7 pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 11 am-6 pm.

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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.

parks conservation white rock lake animals