Dogs and cats available for adoption at Texas Humane Heroes have come from over-crowded local municipal shelters and throughout Texas, stretching from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast, Animal Marketing Manager Christine Rankin said.
“Since becoming Texas Humane Heroes, we’ve pulled [animals] from over 70 agencies in over 35 counties throughout … Texas,” Executive Director Kristen Huguley said.
Formerly known as the Humane Society of Williamson County, the organization first achieved its no-kill status in 2007 and became Texas Humane Heroes in 2013 when a second adoption center was opened in Killeen, Rankin said.
The nonprofit group receives no government funding and is supported by private donations, fundraisers, grants and fees for services.
In 2015, Texas Humane Heroes adopted out a combined 2,543 animals at the Leander and Killeen locations.
Huguley said adoption fees only cover about half the cost of preparing the animals for adoption, with the difference covered by fundraisers, donations and grants. The nonprofit could handle about 600 more adoptions per year with enough funding.
“It’s really important for people to understand what a big impact they have on how many lives we can save,” Huguley said. “When you adopt an animal into the home, you’re opening up the kennels so we can go save another animal from a kill shelter.”
The group also benefits from the support of volunteers, who logged a combined 549 hours at the Leander and Killeen adoption centers in January, Rankin said.
“Volunteers are [a] huge asset to us,” she said. “We really can’t do it without them.”
Rankin said volunteer duties include caring for the animals, helping with events and providing a foster home.
Sharon McGee began volunteering at the nonprofit nine years ago with her son Michael, who is now studying immunology at Louisiana State University.
McGee credits her son’s volunteering experience at the nonprofit as a reason for seeking a career in animal science.
“I can’t thank Texas Humane Heroes [enough],” McGee said. “It’s not just a facade. There are life-changing things that go on here.”
Annual Dog Leg Classic fundraiser
When: April 27 Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: TopGolf Austin Activities: entertainment provided by More Cowbell from 5:30-8 p.m. Cost: $120 per player; fee includes appetizers, two drink tickets, a T-shirt, and individual and team prizes $35 per spectator; fee includes appetizers, two drink tickets and a T-shirt To register, visit www.texashumaneheroes.org/golfTexas Humane Heroes 10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway., Leander 512-260-3602 www.texashumaneheroes.org, www.facebook.com/TexasHumaneHeroes Hours: Tue.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.
