The SPCA of Texas is thrilled to announce that it has received a generous grant in the amount of $5,000 from Maddie's Fund^®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, to provide supplies for the SPCA of Texas' new Working Cats Initiative, which is part of the organization’s Adoptions Program. This initiative will prepare indoor cats, who have come in through animal cruelty situations, for jobs in warehouses, storage facilities, offices, police stations, restaurants and other locations that need rodent control.

The SPCA of Texas' Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit (ACI) rescued almost 600 cats from inhumane conditions last year. A large portion of these cats were saved from hoarding situations and because they never lived outdoors, they are not good candidates for a traditional barn cat program. They also can't be adopted as house pets or returned to their previous location because they are unsocialized. The SPCA of Texas' Working Cats Initiative will give these cats a second chance by preparing them to be working cats. They will be sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, and ear-tipped before starting their jobs and they will be acclimated to their new environment. The cat’s employer will be provided with food, bedding, a litter box, and litter during the acclimation period and will be instructed on how to care for the cat.

The ultimate goal for this initiative is to save the lives of unsocialized cats. There are many cats in local shelters that are euthanized for being unsocial and because they are not eligible for Trap-Neuter-Return programs. The SPCA of Texas hopes to help 100 cats in the first year of this life-saving initiative. The SPCA of Texas is able to provide exceptional care for these animals thanks to this generous grant from Maddie's Fund^®.

If your business is interested in employing a working cat, contact workingcats@spca.org. Learn more about the initiative at www.spca.org/workingcats.

Lace up those sneakers and get ready to dash down Greenville Avenue in a sea of green! The 24^th St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K, benefitting the SPCA of Texas, is March 16, 2019. Registration is $45 until March 10^th then prices will increase. Register today at www.runproject.org.

The SPCA of Texas is excited to take part in the festivities, which begin at 8:00 a.m. at Central Market on Lovers Lane. The race will be followed by an award ceremony, cash prizes and FREE beer garden available for race participants. Registrants will receive a soft short sleeve race shirt and 4 inch finisher medal. There will also be live music by Monoculture, voted the city's Best Rock Act of 2018 by the Dallas Observer. Runners will even have the chance to meet some of the SPCA of Texas' adoptable pets out at the race and possibly take home a new furry running partner!

The SPCA of Texas is in need of 100 people to volunteer and help make this year's Dash Down Greenville a success. If you would like to volunteer for the St. Paddy’s Day Dash Down Greenville for the SPCA of Texas, please contact Ashley Henderson at ahenderson@spca.org.

Dress up in your luckiest gear and join the sea of green for the best 5K and post-race party this side of the rainbow. The SPCA of Texas will benefit from the race, so come have some fun for a good cause! For more information or to sign up, visit www.runproject.org/events/dash-down-greenville-race.

The gorgeous adoptions atrium of the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center was jammed to the max for the SPCA of Texas’ Paws Cause event on Sunday, January 27. Guests gasped with excitement as they stepped foot into the shelter, greeted by the SPCA of Texas’ dancing mascots, Snip and Scooter, and the mouth-watering smell of hors d'oeuvres from some of Dallas’ finest chefs. But it was the tail-wagging dogs and purring cats that stole the show for more than 300 animal lovers!

Attendees flocked towards the kennel of three particularly fluffy shepherd puppies, watching as they tumbled around and playfully wrestled with each other, fighting the urge to adopt one on the spot.

Guests pulled themselves away from the puppies to follow the wafting smell of gourmet food from several of the Metroplex’s finest restaurants, including a delicious cheddar and sausage biscuit with whipped maple butter from chef Abraham Salum of Salum, fried chicken deviled eggs from chef Blythe Beck of Pink Magnolia and a savory bacon and scallion farotto with brown butter brioche crumb and white balsamic gastrique from chef Thomas Archer of 3015 at Trinity Groves. Attendees also enjoyed haute cuisine from chef Janice Provost of Parigi, who served caramelized Brussels sprouts with tonnato sauce, yellow currants, pine nuts, persaillade and parmesan; from chef Omar Flores of Whistle Britches, who served a hummingbird cake with hot salted caramel and honey crisp apple; and from chef Hugo Galvan of Casa Komali Restaurant, who served creamy poblano-corn soup with corn tortilla strips and queso fresco. Guests also enjoyed sipping on the evening’s signature drinks, the “Bark-Berry Bliss” by nue Vodka, and the “Puparita” by Playa Real Premium Tequila.

Once it was nap time for the pups, SPCA of Texas Senior Vice President for Development Debra Burns and Paws Cause Chair Susie Swanson kicked off the evening, thanking attendees, the event committee, sponsors and supporters for coming together to benefit the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at Village Fair and to support the efforts of the Southern Dallas Initiative.

SPCA of Texas President and CEO James Bias then made a very special announcement, calling Mary Spencer to the stage to help him present the 2019 Mary Spencer Humanitarian Award to longtime supporter, Bobbi Snyder.

Upon receiving the award, Bobbi joked she had thought about missing the event because she couldn’t bring home any more dogs! She then told the story of how her family first learned about the SPCA of Texas 50 years ago, after someone took her daughter’s dog. She had called the SPCA of Texas and they helped her get in contact with Dallas Animal Services, who happened to have the missing dog. Years later, her daughter, Stacey Snyder Verbeek, remembered the story and decided to volunteer for the SPCA of Texas. From there, the whole family followed!

“This is an organization that listens,” Bobbi Snyder said, “And that’s why they achieve, they’re big, big thinkers.”

Bobbi then prompted other people to donate to the SPCA of Texas, saying she would match all donations dollar for dollar, up to $100,000! Thanks to generous supporters and donors, the SPCA of Texas raised nearly $170,000 (gross) at Paws Cause 2019 and received the $100,000 match from the Snyder Foundation, making it a $270,000 evening and a wonderful start to the New Year.

All proceeds from the Paws Cause event benefit the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at Village Fair and fund spay and neuter efforts in the Dallas community. This includes the SPCA of Texas’ programs that aim to support the pets and people of Southern Dallas to help address the serious stray animal, pet homelessness and pet overpopulation issues, also supporting the preservation of the bond between pets and people and keeping pets and the community healthy and safe.

Paws Cause 2019 was a tail-wagging success thanks to Honorary Chair Ann Horton Marcus, Chair Susie Swanson, Bone Appétit Chair Giana dePaul and the Host and Event Committees.

The SPCA of Texas is grateful for the tremendous support of its Paws Cause sponsors, including: Presenting Sponsor: Jack Knox; Platinum Sponsors: Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray; Diamond Sponsors: Diane and Hal Brierly, Gwen and Leldon Echols, Sally Ann Jalonick Hudnall, Ann Horton Marcus, Kelli and Allen Questrom, Mary Spencer, Mary and Skip Trimble, and Pat Villareal and Tom Leatherbury; Gold Sponsors: Brunelli Family Foundation, Katy Murray, Penny and Matt Patton, and David Rosenstock; Silver Sponsors: Debra Burns, Candace Rubin Real Estate, Whitney Keltch-Green and Paul Green, Hillary Hurst and Mark Schwarz, J Chester & Associates, Carolyn and David Kubes, Law Office of Claire Collins Schwarz, Gigi Potter-Salley, Sharon and Wayne Smith, The Pope Family Trust, Shannon Welch, and Theresa and Tom Quirk; Bronze Sponsors: Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum, Dealey Family Foundation, Durham Family Foundation, Hinojosa Architecture & Interiors, Sue and Phil John, Betsy Orton and Sharon Fancher, Sharon and Tom Rhoades, and Mr. & Mrs. Warren S. Wingert; and Hospitality Sponsors: Total Wine, Nue Vodka, and Playa Real Tequila. Special thanks to BestofGuide.com, Ralph Lauren, Theory, Robin Jackson Photography, and KMG Events.

Attendees included Andrea Alcorn, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Shelby Bobosky, Amber Camper, Brian Curtis, Russell E. Dealey, Giana DePaul, Bill Driscoll, Gwen and Leldon Echols, Sharon Fancher and Betsy Orton, Gus Hinojosa, Carolyn and David Kubes, Brent Lemon, Don and Cindy Lindsley, Rebecca Marabito, Ann Horton Marcus, Christina Collins Sanders, Nancy Schaefer, Tricia Simms, Bobbi Snyder, Mary Spencer, Mary and Skip Trimble, Karen Urie, Stacey Snyder Verbeek, and Jocelyn White.

This January, the SPCA of Texas is celebrating foster animals and is looking for Foster Heroes who are willing to open up their hearts and homes to an animal in need. When you become a foster parent for the SPCA of Texas you are providing one animal with a comfortable, loving home while allowing another animal to take the foster's place at the shelter. There are a lot of misconceptions that keep people from becoming a foster parent, but this month the SPCA of Texas is trying to debunk these myths.

• Myth #1: The first thing that keeps people from becoming foster parents is that it sounds expensive, but it's actually free to become a Foster Hero. On top of that, the SPCA of Texas provides all of the supplies you need, like food and treats. We also cover all medical care for your foster pet, and our licensed veterinarians and behavioral staff are always there to help if you have any questions.
• Myth #2: I already have my own pets. The SPCA of Texas encourages people with pets to foster shelter animals. In many cases, personal pets serve as “helper animals” and make the transition into a home easier for the shelter animal when they’re ready. Most of our animals come from cruelty cases and having a friend helps make them feel comfortable. What they often need most is time, patience and love, which are all things you can easily give them. If you need extra help, our foster team, medical staff and behavior specialists are ready to answer any questions. If you're worried about how your pet and the foster animal will get along, you can bring your personal pets in for a meet and greet to make sure they'll be the best of friends!
• Myth #3: I don't have enough time. Work seems to hold a lot of people back when they consider becoming a foster parent, but most of our Foster Heroes have full time jobs. Foster pets will miss you as any pet would during the day, but the animals can stay at home while you work. And if you have to go out of town, the SPCA of Texas has a whole network of great foster parents to help take care of your foster pet while you’re away.
• Myth #4: It's very easy to fall in love with our foster pets and a lot of people are worried that it's going to be too hard to say goodbye. However, you don't always have to return your foster pet to the shelter. Through our Adoption Ambassador program, most animals are eligible to be fostered until adoption, and in this way you would get to hand pick your foster pet’s perfect home! Whether that's with you or with someone else! Plus, you can stay in contact with the adopters and receive updates on how your foster pet is doing. That way, you can know first hand that your foster pet is in a loving home and you’ll still be available to help more animals in need.

Each week the SPCA of Texas will release a new video to debunk these four foster myths on our social media pages. To learn more about fostering with the SPCA of Texas you can go to https://www.spca.org/foster.

It was an intimate and relaxed evening for the SPCA of Texas’ Paws Cause kick-off party at Ralph Lauren on Wednesday, December 5. Guests of Paws Cause Chair, Susie Swanson, and SPCA of Texas supporters pulled their sweaters and jackets tight as they made their way into the warm, welcoming store, happily accepting glasses of champagne as they were ushered in from the cold.

Guests chatted and wandered throughout the store, enjoying the laidback ambiance of the quaint gathering, sipping on Pascal Jolivet’s Sancerre Blanc wine, and snacking on a selection of warm brie on croute with cranberry chutney, mini crumpets and mini apple pies with cinnamon and mini s’mores.

Sincere thanks to Ralph Lauren Manager, Curtis Gribble, and his exemplary, attentive staff for welcoming the cheerful crowd.

The event was held in support of the SPCA of Texas’ Paws Cause 2019, Four Paws at a Time. The fun-filled evening, to be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the beautiful Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center, will feature wonderful food from some of North Texas’ finest restaurants, libations, musical entertainment and of course a chance to mingle with some furry friends.

The SPCA of Texas is grateful for the tremendous support of its Paws Cause sponsors, including: Platinum Sponsors: Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray, and Jack Knox; Diamond Sponsors: Gwen and Leldon Echols, Sally Ann Jalonik Hudnall, Kelli and Allen Questrom, Mary Spencer, and Mary and Skip Trimble; Gold Sponsor: Penny and Matt Patton; Silver Sponsors: Debra Burns, Whitney Keltch Green and Paul Green, Gigi Potter Sally, and The Law Office of Claire Collins Schwarz; and Bronze Sponsors: Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum, Dealey Family Foundation, Durham Family Foundation, Hinojosa Architecture & Interiors, and Betsy Orton and Sharon Fancher.

All money raised through the generous kick-off party at Ralph Lauren and Paws Cause 2019 will benefit the SPCA of Texas' Southern Dallas Spay/Neuter and Wellness Initiative, which provides free spay/neuter surgeries to 23 Southern Dallas zip codes, and the Mary Spencer Clinic at Village Fair, which provides low cost medical services.

Paws Cause supporters, sponsors and chairs and former chairs joined Susie Swanson, including Karen Urie, Penny Patton, Pat and Cindy Ford, Patti Hurst, Chris Hurst, John Bergner, Chuck Stewart, Durane Castleberry, Sharon Fancher and Betsy Orton, Athar Bhatti and Claire Schwarz.