The SPCA of Texas, founded in 1938, is one of North Texas's oldest and largest animal welfare groups, based at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas. It is privately funded, runs a well-known animal cruelty investigations unit, and operates low-cost clinics and a large pet food pantry. Here is how adoption, surrender, and its programs work.
The SPCA of Texas is a private nonprofit founded in 1938, and it states it does not euthanize for time or space. It receives no general operating funds from the City of Dallas, the state, or any national humane group, and it is not the city pound; that role belongs to Dallas Animal Services.
Its footprint has narrowed in recent years. The McKinney center closed in 2021 and its Ellis County services ended in 2025, so the organization now works mainly from its Dallas campus, the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center, along with a spay and neuter clinic and a pet resource center.
Adoption fees are published, and each adoption includes age-appropriate vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, deworming, a microchip, a rabies tag, a leash, and a free health exam within 14 days; dogs six months and older also get a heartworm test.
| Animal | Adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Puppy, under 6 months | $150 |
| Dog, 6 months and older | $75 |
| Kitten | $150 |
| Cat, adult | $75 |
Adoption is walk-in on a first-come basis, with appointments available for some animals, and the Dallas center is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. You can also adopt at mobile events and select PetSmart locations.
The Animal Cruelty Investigations unit is what sets the SPCA of Texas apart. It looks into reports of abuse, neglect, hoarding, and animal fighting, gives forensic veterinary support for prosecutions, and is known for large multi-animal seizures; it rescued 918 animals from cruelty in 2024.
The Myron K. Martin Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic provides low-cost surgeries and basic veterinary care, and the organization performed more than 10,000 spay and neuter surgeries in 2024. The Russell H. Perry Pet Resource Center runs in-house and drive-through pet food pantries that gave out more than 191,000 pounds of food in 2024.
Owner surrender is limited. The organization currently accepts only the return of animals it originally adopted out, by appointment, and refers other owners to their local animal control.
Volunteering has youth options from age 10 with an adult, and people 15 and older can apply on their own; in 2024, 5,655 volunteers gave more than 43,000 hours. A foster program, Borrow-a-Buddy, supports the shelter, and the team can be reached at 214-461-1886.
The SPCA of Texas holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 90 percent score and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and it says 82 cents of every dollar goes to animal care and services. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 75-1216660.
Dogs and cats at the Dallas campus, mobile events, and partner stores.
Abuse and neglect cases, forensic support, and large-scale rescues.
The Myron K. Martin clinic; over 10,000 surgeries in 2024.
Discounted exams, vaccines, and basic services.
In-house and drive-through pantries; 191,000-plus pounds given out in 2024.
The Borrow-a-Buddy program supports shelter animals in homes.
Sources: SPCA of Texas (spca.org) and its 2024 Impact report; Charity Navigator and Candid (EIN 75-1216660); local reporting on the McKinney and Ellis County closures. Adoption fees are from the SPCA of Texas adoption pages and should be confirmed on spca.org. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with SPCA of Texas and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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