To allocate more time to help care for shelter pets and maintain facilities, Fort Worth will implement a rotating, once-per-week nonoperational day for its main campus locations starting Feb. 6.

The details

According to a city news release, the city’s two main animal shelters will observe the following nonoperational days each week:“This intentional break aims to allocate more time for attentive care toward our pets and facilities,” Shelter Superintendent Anastasia Ramsey said. “Simultaneously, it provides an increased number of training opportunities for our staff, enabling them to better assess our animals and chart their optimal journey toward loving forever homes.”

The news release states that the once-a-week pause will also enable deep cleaning and increased disinfection of the facilities to help with the following goals:
  • Reducing disease transmission
  • Offering brighter, tidier and more welcoming spaces for visitors and staff, and the animals in their care
What you need to know

According to the news release, the pauses will not interrupt the following services:
  • Stray or owner surrenders will be redirected to the operational campus.
  • Pet reclaims will be provided by each campus if the animal is confirmed to be in the facility.
  • Adoptions will be by appointment only at the paused campus, as long as a guest is interested in a specific animal.
  • Rescue and foster activities will be conducted on nonoperational days.
The news release states that hours of operation and available services at Fort Worth’s two PetSmart Everyday Adoption Centers, and field services will remain unchanged throughout the schedule adjustment.


“At Fort Worth Animal Care & Control, our passion revolves around pets and people,” Ramsey said. “This weekly one-day pause in services at our two main shelter locations reinforces our commitment to the well-being of the pets in our care.”