For 35 years, Special Pals has continued its mission to find families for an ever-growing crowd of homeless animals in the Greater Houston area. There are an estimated 800,000 to 1.2 million animals in need of homes now, Executive Director Elizabeth Trick said. And the nonprofit no-kill shelter is doing what it can to help.

Special Pals began in 1979 in Bellaire and moved to its current Katy-area location in 1991. In November, the shelter housed 65 dogs and 25 cats, Trick said, and some of those animals have been at Special Pals for some time—up to 3 years.

"We'll get a Yorkie, and it will go out [for adoption] really quickly," she said. "Some people do want a puppy or a specific breed, and we can help them with that. But many of our dogs have been here over a year, and we'll keep them until they're adopted, but we really want to focus on getting them home.

"I don't think [animals] should be euthanized just because there's no space for them," she said

Trick said each month the shelter takes in about 30 animals, while about 25–28 animals are adopted.

Animal care

Cats and dogs at the shelter are cared for by a combination of staff members and volunteers. On average, six volunteers and two paid staff members work each day, Trick said. Ideally, the shelter should have 10–12 workers, she said.

"It takes a lot of people to do it right every single day," she said, adding that more volunteers are needed.

Adoption fees

Most adoption fees range from $40 to $120, Trick said. Some animals that have been at the shelter for an extended time can be adopted for $40. The adoption fee for most dogs and cats—including kittens—is $80, and puppies and special-breed dogs can be adopted for a $120 fee.

Volunteer veterinarian

A volunteer veterinarian comes to the shelter twice a week to perform surgeries, administer vaccines and provide checkups for new arrivals.

Cost of care

It takes a considerable sum of money to run the shelter. Operating costs were $300,000 in 2013, $60,000 of which was funded by grants, with the remainder paid for by donations and the shelter's low-cost vaccination and spay and neuter clinics that run two to three times a week, Trick said.

"People want to see these animals live and they want to see us find homes for them," she said.

Donate online at www.specialpalsshelter.org/want-to-help/donate

To volunteer, email [email protected]

Special Pals

3830 Greenhouse Road, Houston, 281-579-7387, www.specialpalsshelter.org, Hours: Tue.–Sun. Noon–4 p.m.