In a promising development for animals in Dallas, the city's main animal shelter celebrated the grand opening of a satellite adoption center in Far North Dallas, inside the PetSmart store at 16821 Coit Rd.
Animal lovers turned out on Saturday to hear congratulations from city officials, including Dallas Animal Services manager Jody Jones, code compliance director Jimmy Martin and City Council member Sandy Greyson. The new facility is located in Greyson's district.
"Each of these adoption centers allows us to save, on average, more than 1,000 pets every year," said Jan Wilkins, executive director of PetSmart Charities.
The everyday adoption center is part of a nationwide initiative from PetSmart Charities, with the goal of saving more homeless pets. Since May 2010, PetSmart Charities has helped save more than 45,000 pets by opening similar adoption centers in 11 states.
Located at the back of the PetSmart store, the center in North Dallas is geographically desirable to adopters who live north of 635, providing them with a location that's more accessible and convenient. The 2,000-square-foot center has space for 46 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
From the time the DAS PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center soft-opened on September 10 through the end of October, 151 pets were placed in new homes; in the past week, the new center has adopted out 65.
"Our partnership with Dallas Animal Services allows us to promote pet adoptions and reduce pet homelessness in the local community," said Jan Wilkins, executive director of PetSmart Charities. "We are thrilled to bring this everyday adoption center model to Dallas; each of these adoption centers allows us to save, on average, more than 1,000 pets every year."
"The everyday adoption center will provide us the opportunity to bring pets to a whole new audience in our community," said DAS manager Jones.
The adoption center is open daily during the store's operating hours. Amenities include kennels for adult dogs, puppies and small dogs; a cat adoption center; play areas for dogs awaiting adoption; and meet-and-greet areas for prospective adopters and their families to get acquainted with the pet.
Grand opening of new adoption center drew a jubilant crowd.
