About Operation Kindness

Our Story

In 1976, a group of volunteers made a plan to have their vision realized – to create a no-kill shelter for homeless animals that had nowhere else to turn. Their idea was simple: homeless pets need to be shown kindness.   

For this passionate group of animal lovers, their goal was to provide shelter, medical care, and food to homeless animals while working hard to find them loving, responsible homes.     

In the early days, Operation Kindness operated out of the homes of volunteers.  In the summer of 1976, Operation Kindness acquired the use of a veterinary clinic located at 117 North Garland Avenue in Garland.  

By November 1988, Operation Kindness moved the shelter to a storefront location at 1029 Trend in Carrollton.  In 1999, we moved the shelter to 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton where we remain today.  

To assist more pets in North Texas, the shelter broke ground on the renovation and expansion of our adoption center and animal hospital in April 2018. Operation Kindness celebrated the grand opening of the Rees-Jones Foundation Medical Wing in March 2020.

Construction continues through summer 2020 to create a state-of-the-art safe haven for homeless pets and a destination for pet adoption in North Texas. 

Operation Kindness Shelter Staff Member with Adoptable Dog | North Texas' Leading No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
Our Mission

To care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior.

Our Vision

A world where all cats and dogs have loving, responsible, forever homes.

OPERATION KINDNESS

Our No-Kill Philosophy

At Operation Kindness, we believe each animal deserves an excellent quality of life in a loving home. There are some circumstances where an animal does not have a positive quality of life and euthanasia may be the only humane option. We will not euthanize an animal for space or for a treatable medical condition. This is considered only after all viable treatment options have been exhausted. It is only considered as an act of mercy for animals who are suffering from an irredeemable medical condition or when behavioral challenges make them unable to be rehabilitated and adopted.
Even though we take in a large number of vulnerable, sick, and injured animals, our save rate is consistently well above the no-kill benchmark of 90%.
  • 2019 Save Rate: 97.3%
  • 2018 Save Rate: 96.3%
  • 2017 Save Rate: 97.0%

Board of Directors

Mary Mitchell, President
Jim Gibson, Vice-President
Brian Sturgeon, Treasurer
Laura Calhoun, Secretary
Anne Alexander
Haroon Alvi
Ron Burgert
Catherine Griffin, DVM
Lauren Mauritzen, DVM
Joni McCoy
Elaine Munch
Elizabeth Schrupp
Chad Tidwell
Jefflyn Williamson
Paul Wilson
Scott Wilson
Katrina Wollenberg

Leadership

Robert Catalani

CEO

Shannon Hemminger

Director of Operations

Kelly Huckaby

Director of Volunteer Services

Nikki Walker

Director of Development

Natalie Buxton

Director of Marketing & Communications

Haley Payne

Director of Performance Management

Tina O’Guinn

Controller

Sandi Laird

Projects Director

Dale McElroy

IT Director

FINANCIAL

Reports

As a 501(c)(3) organization, Operation Kindness relies on the generous donations of the community to fund our mission. We receive no government funding.
ANNUAL REPORTS
2017
2018
2019
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2017
2018
2019
990 FORMS
2016
2017
2018

Operation Kindness has earned the coveted Charity Navigator 4-star rating for the third consecutive year. This is the highest possible rating and indicates that Operation Kindness adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

Only 25% of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Operation Kindness outperforms most other charities in America.

RESCUE
Partners
Every day, North Texas faces the challenge of how to tackle pet homelessness. It’s a complex problem that requires the community to work together to reach the most animals in need. Operation Kindness is proud to serve as a transfer partner for 41 municipal shelters and rescue groups when they are low on space or have animals in need of lifesaving medical care.
Addison Animal Control
Allen Animal Shelter
Angie’s Friends
Arlington Animal Services
Balch Springs Animal Shelter
Bell County Animal Control
Bosque County Spay Neuter
Carrollton Animal Control
Catsnip
Collin County Animal Services
Coppell Animal Services
Corsicana Animal Services
Dallas Animal Services
Dallas Cat Lady
Dallas Companion Animal Project
Dallas Pets Alive
Denton Animal Services
Ferris Animal Control
Gatesville Animal Control
Glen Rose Animal Control
Grand Prairie Animal Shelter
Hill County Paw Pals
Hillsboro Animal Control Services
Hood County Animal Control
Humane Society of Central Texas
Humane Society of North Texas
Humane Society of Young County
Irving Animal Control
Killeen Animal Control
Lewisville Animal Control
Longview Animal Care & Adoption Center
Mesquite Animal Shelter
Mineral Wells Animal Shelter
Paws 4 Life
Plano Animal Services
Red River SPCA
San Saba Friends of Animals
Spay Neuter Network
The Colony Animal Service
Tri-Cities Animal Shelter
Wilbarger Humane Society

Corporate Partners

We’re honored to work with corporate partners in North Texas who are dedicated to making an impact for homeless pets. These companies stand with Operation Kindness, lending their voices and mobilizing their audiences to help raise funds and spread the word about our mission.