Dallas Animal Services need your help! They are at capacity with 674 dogs in 388 kennels. Lots of cats as well! Please adopt and save a life! These animals deserve better!
Posted by Quiet-Battle8005@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 164 comments
Curious-Charity-5368@reddit
We got our 2 cats from there! So happy we went, our cats have completed our family! They’re spoiled now!
Greenmantle22@reddit
Easily 80% of the visible dogs are pit bulls or pit-adjacent.
What a surprise.
anon17563@reddit
Honestly, I think lots of people love them. I sure do some of the sweetest babies I've ever seen.
Part of the issue is renting. Pretty much no apartment in my area will allow them. That's why I dont have one.
mollyyfcooke@reddit
Sweetest babies ever with the highest mortality rate against humans. 🥰
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
Because they’re trained to be that way.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
are you saying genetics have absolutely nothing to do with a dog’s temperament?
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
No, I’m saying that a dogs breed is not a great predictor of their temperament and that the high mortality rate is a result of the environment they’re brought up in. Aggressive people are more likely to have big strong dogs and train them to be protective and fight. If a pitbull and golden retriever puppy were raised in the exact same environment the exact same way, there is no guarantee either dog would be more aggressive than the other. Genetics play a minor role in a dogs temperament.
TacosNGuns@reddit
I’ve owned Rotties and have one now that’s 100lbs. Genetics absolutely plays a role. They are potentially very dangerous. Mine started with three weeks of intensive obedience trading at a kennel followed by months of weekly sessions (more for my benefit). She’s a sweet big marshmallow, but that’s mostly due to the nurture side of the nature/nurture equation.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
So you agree that training and environment overrules the genetics of the dog? Because that was my point.
TacosNGuns@reddit
Not really. I treat Rotties like a loaded gun. Under my direct control she is quite safe. I would never let her loose unsupervised during a party with two or three dozen people. My eng bulldog on the other hand would be safe unsupervised with classroom of toddlers and no adults present.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
i have to disagree. genetics outweigh training. a dog’s upbringing & training are extremely important and definitely essential, but they cannot erase deep-seated behavioral issues rooted in genetics.
training is a great way to manage genetic traits, but it will not override them. there are a lot of families who own these dogs, thinking they are gentle giants who wouldn’t hurt a fly. then something happens, and they quietly surrender the dogs, which is why pounds & shelters are full to the brim with staffys & pit mixes.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
They were bred specifically not to be aggressive so they could be handled by owners in the pit. Most cases of pit bulls being aggressive are linked to abuse, under training, and poor ownership. Pit bulls are sought after by aggressive humans that want a strong aggressive dog, so they are trained to be aggressive. These people are terrible owners that mistreat their dogs and are then attacked by them. They surrender them, a different family adopts them and so of course they’re aggressive when that’s all they’ve known. A pitbull does not have more risk than any other dog of attacking, if it is raised the same. There are cases of other dogs also attacking people randomly, but they aren’t dogs that are associated with being aggressive, since they aren’t raised to be that way.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
you just proved the entire point.
why are these “aggressive people” specifically seeking out pitbulls, then? if every other dog breed would be just as dangerous as a pitbull if it were raised the same, then why aren’t stronger dog breeds sought after en masse like pit bulls are?
you just agreed with me that genetically, pitbulls are more aggressive therefore, they appeal to people who want to put them to work in fighting.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
Because they were bred to be strong for bull baiting and also dog fighting, but also bred to be amicable toward humans so they can be easily handled. They’ve garnered the reputation of being a strong aggressive dog, because they were trained to be aggressive for dog fighting, and since they were mistreated and abused. Fighting dogs aren’t usually handled well. They are associated with being aggressive because they’ve always been trained to be aggressive, not because of some genetic trait from being bred to be aggressive toward humans.
Even IF they are bred to be, and genetically are predisposed to be aggressive, that is through no fault of their own, and only humans are to blame. They’ve long been mistreated and abused, and obviously unwanted by loving families because of their reputation.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
maybe i’m misunderstanding, because i feel like there is some serious mental gymnastics going on here, but this seems like a direct contradiction.
you’re acknowledging they were bred for dog fighting and bull baiting, but you’re also saying their reputation for aggression has nothing to do with their genetics and is only due to bad training? people who do proper, responsible research will take their genetics into consideration, regardless of training reputation.
as for your last point, again, genetics override training. it’s reasonable that a family with small children or other small animals would not want a dog that has an extremely high prey drive and “gameness”. i personally wouldn’t want to take that gamble with my kids.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
My point is that genetics do play a part, but the environment they’ve been raised in their entire lives is the larger factor at play. That they’re treated terribly because of the breeds background, which causes them to lash out and be aggressive. Not that most if not all pit bulls have it engrained in them or are predisposed to be aggressive. Not everyone can handle pit bulls, they are big, strong, and playful. But people dismiss the entire breed like they’re all bad, but they’re just mishandled and misunderstood. People advocate for the euthanasia of all pit bulls, that is not ok.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
training is essential for safe and successful dog ownership, but training does not override genetics. the environment a dog was raised in is important for behavior, but does not override genetics. i cannot comprehend how you’ve come to the conclusion that environment & training are a larger factor than genetic makeup.
while you can manage and refine a dog’s behavior through training and good upbringing, what is bred internally will outweigh external circumstances.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
So no matter how you treat a dog, it is ingrained in them how they’ll act? Every pitbull will be aggressive and every French bulldog is calm? You don’t think a pitbull can be a nice calm family dog, or that a French bulldog will attack if it’s threatened or abused? Will a dog act different if they’re raised in a loving family rather than on the streets? What is the limit here, cause if the environment can’t override genetics, then every dog is just programmed to do what it was bred to do, though pit bulls were literally bred to not be aggressive toward humans.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
no, i never said any of that. in my previous comments, i agreed that a dog’s upbringing and training are important for safe and successful dog ownership. i’m only refuting your statement that those factors are more influential than genetics.
training is not 100% foolproof. sometimes, dogs can just be unpredictable; they are sentient individuals. they are not robots that are immune to making bad choices. you can raise a pitbull in the most loving home with the best training, but there is still a chance that prey drive will kick in, causing them to lose control and attack a small child or animal. then they will ignore any and all external stimuli and refuse to let go of their ‘prey’, because they are bred for that.
it doesn’t happen all the time, i’m sure there are some families who’ve had 0 incidents with bloodsport dogs. but the risk will always be there, despite upbringing and training, and in the heat of the moment, could lead to a fatal outcome. training can manage the genetics, but in the heat of the moment, there is a possibility training & upbringing go out the window and get overridden by genetics. i hope this is making sense to you.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
There’s the same risk with every other dog breed, it is not exclusive to pit bulls. There have been cases of most other dog breeds going rogue and attacking their owner, it’s all about mitigating risks. It’s just something that comes with pet ownership. You should be just as wary of any dog of similar size.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
the risk is enhanced with pitbulls and other bloodsport dogs because of their “gameness” when they get ahold of their prey. i could bonk a Grayhound on the head if he gets ahold of my Yorkie and he will drop it. i could bonk a pitbull, pull its hind legs, poke its eyes, etc and it will still not drop its prey until the prey is dead.
anon17563@reddit
Would you say the same for humans?
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
no, because dogs & humans are not the exact same.
mollyyfcooke@reddit
Don’t waste your time, they’re incapable of critical thinking.
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
yeah, that user said in another comment that chihuahuas “make great soccer balls”. i will not be engaging with them any further.
(thank you for the award btw!!)
anon17563@reddit
Feed me your downvotes! Im hungry!!!!
anon17563@reddit
It was a question asshat
anon17563@reddit
Fair enough, i dont disagree with you, believe it or not.
anon17563@reddit
Yea, that's an owner issue. If the only people who are getting pits are violent criminals who would have guessed, they would be violent.
WinterAdvantage3847@reddit
despite how “stuck-up” their owners are, those “little demon rats” have fatally mauled zero (0) people in the entirety of human history… let alone hundreds just within the past decade alone. unlike your “sweetest babies.”
anon17563@reddit
Lol
KawhiTheKing@reddit
Gunna say, love that they’re showcasing a pure husky, golden, and lab as a way to lure people in, just for them to find a bunch of “lab mixes”.
Bitter-Estimate-4412@reddit
Huskies are pretty common to see in shelters, they are very overwhelming dogs and absolutely not for everyone.
The others… disappear instantly the second they’re put up for adoption.
RichardPainusDM@reddit
Also Texas has a BIG fucking problem with bad dog owners adopting large cold weather mountain breeds, realizing they’re not suited to live in their cookie cutter suburban home in the middle of an suburban oven state, and then discarding the dogs like an out of style sofa.
It really works me up personally. I know there’s breeding mills here that cater to these accessory owners and there’s a special pit in hell for the people that run them.
onandonandonandoff@reddit
You are probably totally right. Just want to add my experience in case someone is reading this and was thinking about adopting a husky.
I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and adopted a husky mix on accident and HE IS AN ANGEL. As long as you can give them a couple hours outside every day, huskies can totally be suburb or apartment dogs. Make sure they get plenty of time in the snow when it happens once a year!!
My biggest pet peeve with dog owners is when people leave their dogs in the backyard/patio all day with no stimulation other than barking at every bird or rabbit they see. So if that’s your plan, please don’t get a dog. Wait until you can commit to giving them more attention and exercise. Just having a back yard doesn’t make you a good fit for a dog.
Bitter-Estimate-4412@reddit
A couple of hours outside a day is a HUGE ask, especially for someone who lives in apartment.
Even if you have a fenced back yard, they're known to be escape artists, they are generally insane dogs with crazy personalities
StankoMicin@reddit
Not really. YOU should probably also get at least a couple hours of outside time a day. If not then don't get a dog and try to get out more
onandonandonandoff@reddit
If 30 minutes in the morning, 30 in the afternoon, and an hour in the evening is too huge of an ask, you don’t have the time to meet the needs of an active breed dog. Dog walkers are a thing, too, and really inexpensive in the DFW area.
They’re not insane if they get enough stimulation is the exact point of my comment. Thanks for letting me expand 👆
Mine is even mixed with Coonhound, another breed that needs a lot of stimulation. And like I said, if he gets enough mental and physical exercise, he’s an angel. If you meet their needs and set them up for success they’re just like any other dog. And I’m a first time dog owner with a full time job away from home. If you WANT to put the effort in, they’re not that hard to manage.
Bitter-Estimate-4412@reddit
I completely get that, In college my roommate had a husky and both of us were big into cross country running.
That dog did about 10-15 miles of running a day, and it still had the energy to destroy 2 couches and a few walls while making a ton of noise.
I love them, so much personality and a ton of fun, but I will never have one again in my life. They are not dogs that the vast majority of people can properly care for.
Friendly-Win1457@reddit
People can be so irresponsible with animals. I don't get it. Is it impulse or what?
onandonandonandoff@reddit
Yeah, maybe impulse. Animals make our lives better 1000%. Some people NEED an animal even though they can’t take the best care of them.
I am a super empathetic person and as much as I love animals, I love people more, so I can see the reasons behind it- even if it’s not the best thing for the animal. Like homeless people having a dog. Sometimes it’s all you have to live for and without it you’d unalive yourself. It’s better than drugs 🤷♀️
Friendly-Win1457@reddit
I should clarify, my comment was more directed at people who never cared for their pets from the start. I totally understand someone who had to give up their pet due to financial reasons or any other serious situation.
inteii@reddit
Some people simply feel no empathy for animals
BoofMasterQuan2@reddit
*by accident
NotAnotherTav@reddit
Texas also has a huge problem with the fact that there aren't enough shelters for PEOPLE either.
Literally every argument you can make for an animal shelter in this State has to be prefaced with "I know this is going to cause other human beings to freeze to death in the winter, but..." if we're being honest about how shit things are.
everybodyBnicepls@reddit
So maddening!
foxyloxyx@reddit
You can view all their adoptable dogs on their website. Lots of pit mixes yes, but also a lot of others. I’ve got a great pup from DAS.
Status-Elderberry750@reddit
I adopted a lab mix two years and he's an amazing dog.
thtothrdude@reddit
And this matters, why?
Greenmantle22@reddit
They grabbed the only four, and put them in the same cell.
Quiet-Battle8005@reddit (OP)
No matter the breed, it is still sad to see all these animals in the shelter. If you don’t see a dog that’s to your liking, try a cat :)
Beautiful-View-8670@reddit
People can't afford pets.
Quiet-Battle8005@reddit (OP)
Cats are the most inexpensive animal. I spend less than $200 a month on 6 cats lol
anon17563@reddit
Snakes are the most inexpensive animal actually. Ty beating $6 a month. 🤣🤣
MateoCafe@reddit
What kind of food do snakes eat that only costs $6 a month or less.
anon17563@reddit
Frozen mice / rat
MateoCafe@reddit
That is what I thought but I didn't realize they were that cheap to purchase.
RaccoonAwareness@reddit
I’ve spent over $2000 on vet care for my cat this year
CanoegunGoeff@reddit
Pet owners need to be prepared for the occasional higher costs too though. I have one dog, and while it doesn’t cost much to keep her fed, groomed, and up on her vaccinations, it’s important to have her teeth cleaned at least once a year, which costs almost $1000 by itself. So unless you want your animals’ teeth to fall out and cause other health problems as they age, you’re likely gonna be spending a fair bit of money to take care of an animal properly.
skteitelman@reddit
Adopted two dogs from there. One is 50% pit the other 30%. Both absolute babies.
S0meRaynD0name@reddit
This... proves what they were saying.
Magnitude_Ten@reddit
I loaded multiple pages and your estimate is pretty conservative.
I'd say closer to 90%. Why would there be so many? They just want to nanny all the children!
S0meRaynD0name@reddit
I wouldn't adopt a stray or a mutt without a DNA test. Sad times we live in.
S0meRaynD0name@reddit
Came here for this comment
CricketJaxson@reddit
Yup, this is the reason most shelter all over the country are so full. People keep backyard breeding pits with awful genes.
No_Internal9345@reddit
Technically, Dallas has ordinances that all dogs must be neutered/spayed, unless you have a 'breeding permit'. Enforcement, however...
SgtButtShanx@reddit
Keep your….paws….away from my Danes coin purse! lol.
No_Internal9345@reddit
Don't let him get loose. Dallas pound has a neuter first, ask questions later policy.
thtothrdude@reddit
And this matters, why?
anon17563@reddit
None of these people have worked in shelters. Dont even bother with these chihuahua lovers. Those are actually demon dogs.
WinterAdvantage3847@reddit
re: the deleted comments further down thread — least sadistic pitbull fan.
these are the shelter volunteers trying to shame you for not wanting a fighting breed, folks. they’ll call you an evil dog hater in one breath and talk about using chihuahuas as soccer balls in the next
anon17563@reddit
Lol
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
chihuahuas cannot maul you to death. why do people always adopt this narrative, it has no logical basis.
anon17563@reddit
Because no matter the damage, I shouldn't have to deal with your violent rats trying to get me.
They make good soccer balls though.
More downvotes from the stuck up white girls please 🤣
ExistingScreen3978@reddit
comparing living animals to being “good soccer balls” makes you sound insane. they might be annoying to you, but animals deserve respect regardless.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
Dallas-ModTeam@reddit
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Send a message the moderators if you have any questions. Thanks!
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Affectionate_Star_43@reddit
I volunteered at a shelter, and we had to flag the reactive dogs. Even fully clipped and harnessed, they can just yank an average person to the ground and drag them if another dog so much as walks past the fence to the shelter yard (ask me how I know...)
It severely limits the amount of people who can responsibly own and control this type of dog, especially from a shelter.
Greenmantle22@reddit
It explains a huge part of how the shelter got so overcrowded in the first place.
Tehgreatbrownie@reddit
Dude, there are as many pitties surrendered for not being aggressive enough as there are ones surrendered for being too aggressive. The breed is not the problem, it’s the people
Greenmantle22@reddit
Yes, and all those emergency room statistics on dog bites are just part of the conspiracy.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
Yes, because of their environment and training. If you raised a pitbull the same as any other dog, they wouldn’t be any more aggressive.
Greenmantle22@reddit
And that’s how and why so many of these specific dogs ended up at the “free drop-off, no questions asked, cops-bring-strays-here” shelter.
It’s also why they stay. Many of them are maladjusted, untrained, and unsafe around children or other animals. And consequently, this breed isn’t allowed by many renters or homeowners insurance policies. It’s a shelter full of ticking timebombs. If the shelter were packed with bunny rabbits and goldendoodles, they wouldn’t have to beg like this.
SuccessfulHospital54@reddit
True. It’s honestly sad how these dogs are treated. They are abused from birth, with breeders training them to be aggressive, since that’s what a most pitbull owners want, then are in a shelter most of their lives because everyone associates them with danger. These owners are also terrible at owning and training dogs, they just want a dog for protection. Ofc they’re going to be aggressive when that’s their entire life.
anon17563@reddit
Just kill them all and get it over with right?
anon17563@reddit
They will never understand this.
Again: feed me those downvotes im hungry! 😘
mollyyfcooke@reddit
I know you’re not capable but please use your brain and google what a dog bite statistic is.
Shearay752@reddit
Exactly! And I like pitbulls but as a forever renter that quickly limits were I can live.
grimgrim1963@reddit
I’ve adopted 2 large mixes from DAS. They’re amazing. Please at least look through the page.
Quiet-Battle8005@reddit (OP)
All pet adoptions are currently free. You still need to apply to adopt and foster.
https://bedallas90.org/home/pets/
Note: only people with the purest intentions should adopt these animals.
HistoryNerd101@reddit
Problem is nowadays it is very expensive to find affordable vets. Many of them are franchises with investment capital pushing for-profit care to the hilt which is limiting to a lot of people who want a pet
Quiet-Battle8005@reddit (OP)
City Vet offers same day appointments for $70 and they will let you know the cost of diagnostics before they do anything :)
interstatebus@reddit
I love CityVet. They’ve been so great to work with and able to get me in for an appointment so quickly. And the doctor I see regularly is really great about making sure I understand pricing. She asked about an additional test for my dog last time since it would help to figure out the problem but was an additional $200 to send it off.
AuthorUnknown31415@reddit
I love our CityVet Addison vets. They literally saved my dog’s life. They will always be my vet as long as I can afford them. However, it can’t be overlooked how expensive dog healthcare is just for preventive maintenance. A six-month supply of Simparica -Trio alone is $300. Also, I recently dropped HealthyPaws insurance after five years b/c the premiums became ridiculous. I adore my dog—who I rescued 5 years ago—and have no regrets and would never abandon him. He has been a lifeline. However, I cannot afford a second pet. Potential owners need to really consider the economic impact.
HistoryNerd101@reddit
We go to CityVet all the time for our doggies. They know us by name and have a special wing set up for us because of our two cash cows who we love dearly
skteitelman@reddit
We live the same lives I see. The first year of one of our dogs we were there multiple times a month. I kept all her paperwork and it’s easily over an inch thick. Whereas the other doggo had like 4 visits lmao.
TheDakestTimeline@reddit
Animal Medical Clinic on Shiloh!!
duncar11@reddit
Seconding this, took my cat there for a weekend emergency and they were incredible
DoctorJiveTurkey@reddit
Is there a way to just view the available cats?
noncongruent@reddit
This is the direct link to their adoptable cats:
https://24petconnect.com/DallasAdoptablePets?at=CAT
its-the-pleats@reddit
Thanks for sharing and totally agree. For those interested, I believe DAS provides resources that help with vet costs.
FantasticTim@reddit
Are y'all looking for employees?
Agitated_Body5781@reddit
In this economy people are having a hard time feeding themselves, let alone cope with pets
TheMeanHorizon@reddit
Then these people shouldn’t get pets! Hopefully this post inspires someone who has the means to get a pet to head to the shelter.
WarriorArisuTendou@reddit
I don't know why you got downvoted for saying the truth. That scares me that a lot of aggressive owners might be in this subreddit
wgardenhire@reddit
The worse the economy gets the more pets are given up. When you are having difficulty in being able to afford food and medicine for yourselves, well...............
Brassanthe@reddit
Maybe it's time we put regulations on pet ownership.
Fourfoureyes@reddit
Pet insurance can be very affordable! And Dallas Pets Alive offers support with pet deposits, training, and they have free food events fairly often. Just because someone doesn't make tons of money doesn't mean they can't have a pet.
throwaway299109102@reddit
My boston passed last year id lobe to adopt...but the rising costs of EVERYTHING says otherwise. These apartments are all "WE ARE SO PET FRIENDLY $500 DEPOSIT 400 PET FEE AND $40 PER MONTH."
that plus vet bills
elibutton@reddit
Oh geez this is so sad! I hope they all find forever homes
aceloco817@reddit
Please adopt a needy soul from DAS! I adopted my old doggie from there a couple years ago. She's great & is chill af. It's a pretty easy process too!
betterthingsahead88@reddit
Got two silly rescue mutts on the couch next to me right now but commenting for engagement <3
Apart_Republic_1870@reddit
I can only adopt so many dogs, Dallas.
jffadvisors@reddit
I’m sure the issue isn’t the husky, golden retriever or chocolate lab in this picture. It’s the 500 pits and pit mixes that are unsafe to have around families.
potatoes_arrrr_life@reddit
From the dog fighting busts? https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-police-seize-hundreds-of-animals-in-dogfighting-sting-40643598/
StrLord_Who@reddit
Most of those dogs were shipped out to an SPCA facility in a different state.
jimmysmiths5523@reddit
They and other shelters should send the dogs up to the northern states where there isn't an issue of overcrowding. I know they send them by plane sometimes.
IndigoBlueBird@reddit
They already do this. DAS aims for a 90% placement rate, including with rescues and inter/intrastate shelters
usmcstraydog@reddit
Until they make spay/neuter a free service paid for by the same budget that funds shelters (reimbursing vets), this problem will continue. More importantly, until they start actively pursuing backyard breeders.. NOTHING ELSE will make a difference. Create a tip-line with a bounty on them. Allow people to call in and make $500 if their tip leads to an arrest.. it will bring all the snitches out, and BYBing will be much riskier for those doing it.
IndigoBlueBird@reddit
PLEASE adopt don’t shop! I volunteer at DAS and there are all sorts of dogs there, with all sorts of sizes, personalities, activity levels, etc. They are such sweethearts who need good homes!
Top_Perception_9162@reddit
Are there golden retrievers/labs?
MaelstromTX@reddit
There are retriever/lab "mixes".
Mixed with what? They won't say, but I think you know the answer.
S0meRaynD0name@reddit
It you DNA tested every dog there, I bet less than 5% would have Pit-free genetics.
space_poodle_@reddit
I just adopted a dog from there (well, she was a "foster fail") who we DNA tested and she is part lab (approx. 42%). She's also mixed with pit bull (32%) and husky (23%). She's a good dog, but a lot of dog. Luckily we're a super dog savvy family and knew what we were getting into - we wanted a high energy, intelligent, problem-solving dog and she is very much that lol. 🙂
If wanting a particular temperament/personality via rescue, I'd recommend checking out a rescue group who can help match you with a dog in foster whose personality etc. is already known.
Top_Perception_9162@reddit
Ok thanks! I’ll look into a rescue group. I have a six year old so I have to be careful of the breed I pick. When I was young, we adopted a Pitbull/lab mix and it attacked my sister not even a week after we adopted him. So I just have PTSD with any type of mixes lol.
space_poodle_@reddit
Totally understandable, I'm so sorry that happened to your sister and your family. A good rescue group will help you find a great fit for your wants and needs. Good luck!
IndigoBlueBird@reddit
So there aren’t going to be a ton of pure bred dogs at the shelter. It can happen, usually in an owner surrender situation, but it’s not super common and those dogs are usually the first to get adopted. But there are definitely lots of predominantly lab mixes (and no, that does not mean pit bull with a little bit of lab. It means lab with a little bit of who knows what lol). Not uncommon to see Pyrenees/retriever mixes.
From my time there, I’d say the most common dogs are pit bulls, German shepherds, huskies, labs, chihuahuas, and terriers. I’ve seen everything from St Bernard’s to English bull dogs to corgi mixes though! You really never know until you go
tripleblue85@reddit
The picture has a golden retriever, but I'm willing to bet most of these poor doggos are pit mixes.
Aggressive-Media-395@reddit
I wish I could but my landlord has a no pets policy 🥺🥺 and my family was trying to buy a house so that way we could have pets finally..
katnip-evergreen@reddit
I think the expenses of owning a pet also cannot be ignored. It's easy to adopt one, but once people are hit with vet bills, food, grooming, and dog sitting/boarding for those who like to travel; some may end up right back in the shelters
So it needs mentioning that, yes, please adopt if you can but make sure you are ready for what pet ownership entails
PomeloPepper@reddit
Adopting an older pet can be ideal when you aren't sure about how having a pet will affect your life. I'd always had small dogs, but had wanted a German Shepherd for a long time. I found an older Shepherd at a shelter and adopted him for the last two years of his life. Best decision ever.
It gave me the tools and confidence to get a younger GSD. He's sleeping a couple of feet away from me right now.
(There's an older female GSD at the shelter right now.)
MateoCafe@reddit
Do older dogs somehow not need crazy expensive vet care?
PomeloPepper@reddit
It depends on the dog. Just like with humans.
MateoCafe@reddit
Right, alone I am financially comfortable but add a dog and now we are both stretched financially. I am not adopting a dog to treat it poorly. Maybe by my 40s I will have enough room and extra income to afford to truly care for a dog but the oligarchs will try to stop that.
TheDogMother90@reddit
Exactly this, I have 2 dogs and their costs are over $500 a month. One has a sensitive stomach so special food which is expensive, insurance, and the other has epilepsy so all his meds add up. I groom them myself and don’t board or use dog sitters. I love them with all my heart and would never leave them. I’d downgrade my own lifestyle to be sure they keep theirs
anon17563@reddit
Poor man's pet is a snake. Coming from a poor man. 🤣
chismechick@reddit
We adopted our dog from DAS last summer and are so happy with our little mutt. Unfortunately most people i know arent of the same mindset and want to adopt "specialty" breeds like doodles or dachsunds.
searedbirdeighs@reddit
I adopted a pit/lab mix from here during one of these events 11 years ago and she’s the sweetest dog
BRIGETTAB@reddit
This is why I have 5 dogs.
You know what would really help? Funding for free or low cost spay and neutering. The state only appropriates something like $175,000 every two years for spaying and neutering and then they make rescues and smaller shelters jump through impossible hoops to get it.
A lot of this could be prevented if the state cared about it.
noncongruent@reddit
TCAP is a good option for many people. They're harder to work with WRT scheduling and have limited services, but cover the basics of spay/neuter, vaccination, and microchipping (which they're offering for $20 this month!).
No_Drama2424@reddit
Only tangentially related to this post but we got our cat for $5 from Arlington Animal Services and they scheduled him an appointment to get spayed for free the following week
noncongruent@reddit
FWIW, when boy cats get fixed it's called "neutering", spaying is for girl cats. Hope your boy is doing great, I always love hearing stories about shelter adoptions.
zakats@reddit
And report your local, unlicensed breeder so got can stop this problem at the source.
Dangerous_Term_69@reddit
It's time to legislate pet ownership. If you're too low income or incompetent to care for yourself or your children, you have no right to a pet.
samwise20@reddit
Adopted my buddy from DAS almost 7 years ago now and can’t imagine not having him around! Yes there are lots of pit mixes but that’s not the case for all of the dogs there.
We picked up our shepherd mix (not pit mix) and he has been the sweetest, happiest and most loving dog I think I’ve ever owned. Wish we had the room for more but I hope anyone who can afford the cost, time and dedication will consider visiting DAS!
Banana_Phone888@reddit
Thank you for posting this op ❤️
MikeFromSuburbia@reddit
I do not like dogs and I’m extremely allergic to cats. Even still, I donate to shelters. Hoping for the best <3
AnastasiaNo70@reddit
And please get your pets spayed and neutered!
crikeyasnail@reddit
Yes!!
Dry-Butterfly-5422@reddit
Two weeks ago a Dallas county inmate asked me if the jail was so full because of FIFA being in town, as if there was some new initiative to arrest the homeless. It must just be a coincidence.
mollyyfcooke@reddit
Probably because 95% of the dogs are definitely not a golden, husky, lab or rottie. Notice how they didn’t use a shitbull in a tiara or tutu? Because that’s what you’re getting
Imaginary-Tree-House@reddit
We got our purebred German Shepherd (did doggie DNA test) and husky/poodle mix almost two years ago from DAS. They are a wonderful pair. I could not have found better dogs anywhere. There are usually a lot of German Shepherds there as well as huskies.
Rhewin@reddit
We got our dog from there last May. Poor things are super stressed, but the shelter is doing the best it can.
coldplaymeredit@reddit
My kitty is from DAS! Would highly recommend supporting them if you can! ♥️
El-MonkeyKing@reddit
Do they also have that program where you can just take a dog out for the day to play and take back? I have too many animals already
LTOTR@reddit
Yes absolutely check the section labeled doggy daycation.. Volunteer feedback provides valuable info about the dog’s temperament, energy and personality. Put an “adopt me” vest on them and take them out to populated areas for visibility. Take lots of cute pics! It’s a tremendous boost for getting them adopted
-unfinishedsentenc_@reddit
I have done this, and it’s incredibly fun! You get to pick a dog (look on their website the night before & pick three in case the one you want is unavailable). They give you a backpack with lots of supplies too. I took the dog I had to a few parks, Katy Trail, then a treat at McDonald’s.
Now I wanna do it again! Lol the staff was grateful & appreciative. They make it easy which was nice.
Quiet-Battle8005@reddit (OP)
Yes they do! I have 6 cats already so I understand, this would be the best way for folks like us to help. Thank you for your interest!
https://bedallas90.org/doggie-daycations/
Intelligent-Honey476@reddit
Adopted a beautiful pit mix just 3 weeks ago and have been very happy with our new fur baby
Bec21-21@reddit
I got my dog from DAS in Jan. She’s a sweetheart!
carabear85@reddit
No thanks
Fastgirl600@reddit
Thank you Dallas Animal Services for all you do! However your website is unappealing and difficult to navigate Would it be posdible to be designed better starting with the name, should be an easy to find, animal pictures first, info, rules etc below website if you want to improve your traffic and exposure
DCJustSomeone@reddit
Thanks for sharing.