FORT WORTH, Texas — Animal shelters across Dallas-Fort Worth are in crisis, operating far beyond their intended capacity and housing hundreds of dogs and cats in temporary quarters, prompting an urgent plea for adopters and fosters this week.\n\nFort Worth Animal Care and Control reported its Silcox Animal Campus is at 253% capacity for cats, caring for 165 cats and kittens in a facility designed for approximately 65 standard cat enclosures. A significant portion of the cats are kittens under eight weeks old, housed in temporary accommodations not meant for long-term stays. Dog occupancy at Silcox has reached 137%, with 442 dogs filling all 321 available kennels and many housed in temporary outdoor kennels.\n\nThe Henry's Animal Campus, the city's second facility, is also strained — holding an additional 56 cats and kittens and 250 large-breed dogs. In total, more than 600 dogs and cats are in Fort Worth's care.\n\nDallas Animal Services is similarly overwhelmed. The Dallas shelter has reported operating at 159% capacity for dogs and 102% capacity for cats, recently taking in animals from three large-scale rescues that further strained already-limited space.\n\nOfficials across both cities are asking residents to consider adopting or fostering an animal to help relieve the overcrowding. Fort Worth Animal Care and Control said people who choose to foster will receive food, supplies, and other support from the shelter. Residents interested in helping can visit their local shelter's website for a full list of eligible animals and information on how to adopt or foster.
Celina, located in northwest Collin County about 45 miles north of Dallas, is one of the fastest-growing small cities in Texas with approximately 35,000 residents.