Our Biggest Year Yet with Dallas Animal Services
The City of Dallas Fiscal Year 2026 ended in September, and we’re proud to report that it was our biggest year yet for our partnership with Dallas Animal Services (DAS). Between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, Operation Kindness Humane Society transferred in 1,363 pets from DAS, the most we’ve ever taken in from the shelter in a single fiscal year. We also performed more than 1,100 spay/neuter surgeries for DAS pets and community cats during that timeframe.
Those numbers represent dogs and cats pulled from the shelter, spayed and neutered, examined by our veterinarians, treated for injuries, and sent on to new homes near and far. Here is a look at what we accomplished together, and how our support was the largest in the history of our partnership with DAS.
A record 1,363 pets pulled from DAS
Dozens of rescue groups pull pets from DAS every year, providing relief to a shelter often at capacity. In FY2026, nearly 28% of every rescue transfer out of the shelter came to Operation Kindness, the largest share of any transfer partner. In total, 1,363 pets (1,083 dogs and 280 cats) were transferred to Operation Kindness.
Once a pet leaves DAS with us, it takes one of two paths:
- Adoption at Operation Kindness: Pets come in through our adoption program, where they get medical care, enrichment, and the time they need to find a new family at our main shelter in Carrollton or through other adoption locations. This year, 929 DAS pets came through our adoption program – 70% of those were dogs.
- Transport through our Lifesaving Partnership Hub: Pets are transferred into our care at our Lifesaving Partnership Hub location and transferred to partner shelters and rescues out of state, where adopters and fosters are waiting. This year, 434 DAS pets found placement through our interstate transport program.
Every pet we take in opens a kennel at DAS for the next animal who needs one. We also provide health certificates and spay/neuter services to partner organizations transporting pets out of DAS.
A decade of rescue pulls
In the last decade, more than 5,600 DAS pets have found their way to Operation Kindness. This year, we set out to do even more with the shelter, and the numbers below show how far that commitment has gone.
Since 2023, we’ve been DAS’s top rescue partner every year with 2026 FFY being our top year of support in the past decade.
Medical support: More than 1,200 spay/neuter surgeries and counting
Our medical team did more with DAS this year than ever before. We performed 1,251 spay/neuter surgeries for DAS pets and community cats, helping the shelter’s veterinary team keep up with surgery demand. When pets don’t have to wait for surgery, they’re ready to go home with adopters and rescue partners sooner.
Our surgery numbers grew steadily throughout the year. We were able to transfer pets into our care with complex medical needs, like Sully’s tail amputation surgery that you’ll read about below.
Beyond the operating room, Operation Kindness also provided wellness care to 85 pets from DAS.
Free spay/neuter for dogs in 10 Dallas zip codes
Pulling pets from DAS helps the shelter today. Spay/neuter helps it in the years ahead. Every surgery prevents future litters, which means fewer puppies and dogs who will ever need a kennel at the shelter. That’s why Operation Kindness offers free spay/neuter surgeries for dogs living in 10 Dallas zip codes, those that have the highest intakes that impact DAS.
Fewer unplanned litters means fewer puppies and dogs arriving at DAS, and more room for the pets who are already there. If you live in one of these zip codes, your dog’s surgery is on us: 75208, 75211, 75212, 75216, 75217, 75224, 75227, 75228, 75232, 75241
Operation Kindness also offers low-cost surgeries for dogs and cats at our Lifesaving Partnerships Hub. Learn more and book your appointment today.
Meet Sully, the puppy who broke the record
The pet who pushed us past our most-ever DAS animals assisted in a single fiscal year was the sweetest little puppy named Sully.
When Sully came to us from DAS, about two-thirds of his tail appeared necrotic, meaning the tissue had died and the tail needed to be amputated. Our veterinary team performed the surgery and cared for him through the first steps of healing.
Sully then moved into a foster home to finish his recovery, and his personality came out in full. He’s playful, curious, and loves his toys, especially his teething toys. Like any happy puppy, he gets the zoomies and bounces around when he’s feeling energetic. Once he’s burned off that puppy energy, he’s ready to settle down, snuggle with his people, and watch TV.
And the best part: Sully was adopted by a family last week! From a DAS kennel to an operating table to a foster couch to a new home, Sully’s journey is exactly what this partnership is all about.
What is next with our partnership
Our work with DAS doesn’t stop when the fiscal year ends. The partnership keeps growing, and we’re adding new ways to support Dallas pets and the families who love them.
A monthly pet food pantry
Operation Kindness now partners with DAS on a monthly pet food pantry, held the third Wednesday of every month in the parking lot of the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center (2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212). Registration is required: https://www.operationkindness.org/pet-food-pantry/
You can help stock it by donating items from our pet pantry wish list.
Vaccine clinics with DAS
Starting in October, Operation Kindness and DAS are teaming up on vaccine clinics for Dallas pets. Keeping pets vaccinated protects them, their families, and the whole community. More information to come soon on future events in 2027!
Support our Work
None of this happens without the DAS team, who work every day for the pets of Dallas, and without our donors, fosters, volunteers, and adopters. Thank you for making DAS FY2026 our biggest year yet.
Want to help us beat this record next year?
- Adopt a pet from Operation Kindness.
- Foster a pet recovering from surgery, like Sully.
- Donate to fund spay/neuter surgeries, specialty care, and transport.
- Share our free spay/neuter program with dog owners in eligible zip codes.
You can also support our work with DAS through our initiative, Friends of Dallas Animal Services. Learn more on our website.
