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Distemper Protocols

We are continuing to see cases of distemper within our shelter. Shelter staff and volunteers must wear aprons and gloves when handling animals. Please wash and sanitize hands frequently and change gloves and aprons in between each animal. It is critical that every shelter staff member who handles animals follows these protocols for the safety of our animals. We need everyone who handles animals in the shelter to wear PPE and change between each animal in order to save lives.

Thank you to everyone for remaining flexible as our operations change to respond to the distemper situation.  

For the safety of Dallas dogs, DAS will begin limiting owner surrenders of dogs to existing appointments and emergencies until disease levels drop. DAS is encouraging struggling pet owners to visit Bedallas90.org/pet-resources to access pet support resources and DAS’ Home to Home Program, which helps residents locate adopters and avoid the shelter. 

DAS asks that residents who find friendly lost dogs schedule a time to have them vaccinated, and if possible, take them home for three days while their vaccines take effect. DAS will provide resources to help find the dog’s owner and if unsuccessful, the finder will bring the dog into DAS. Finders can make a vaccine appointment by emailing DASPetSupport@dallascityhall.com visiting https://das.as.me/vaccine, or calling 214-670-6742. An appointment is not required but will reduce wait times. 

Three to Thrive

If you would like to help us with our Three to Thrive program, let us know! We are seeking out new and existing fosters willing to take an owner surrendered dog home for 3 days (72 hours) following intake and vaccination to allow their distemper vaccine time to course through their immune system and provide a base level of protection. 

Never fostered before with DAS? Sign up at BeDallas90.org/foster

Existing foster? Check out our new Three to Thrive Trello board to select an incoming dog you would like to foster: https://bit.ly/threetothrivedas

New Hours

Starting on Friday, May 27, Dallas Animal Services' hours will change to the following: 

Monday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wednesday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Reminder - Treats in Shared Kennels

Dogs who are co-housed should never be given treats, toys, and food unless separated. Please be mindful of this important safety rule!

Need Something? Let us Know!

If you don't have what you need to do your job, let us know! Send an email to your Unit Lead if supplies are missing. We also invite staff to provide comments and suggestions on what will make your daily tasks easier to perform.

Admin - Whitney Hanson whitney.hanson@dallas.gov

Medical - Michael Burk michael.burk@dallas.gov

Field - Ann Barnes ann.barnes@dallas.gov

Shelter - Marian Cannell marian.cannell@dallas.gov

Rising COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases are back on the rise in the Dallas area. For resources including vaccine information, please visit https://dallascityhall.com/pages/corona-virus.aspx.

Maddie's Fund National Shelter and Rescue Support Calls

These calls happen every single Monday at 10 A.M. and are a great resource for all employees at shelters and rescues! Even if you can just listen in while you are completing other duties, we strongly encourage you to join in on these calls. You can always watch previously recorded calls here.

Shoutout to Michael Matthias and Angla Finley-Everett

We received this wonderful note from an employee with the City of Dallas' Water Utilities department:

"I want to take a moment to recognize the Dallas Animal Services Department (DAS) for how they handled my 311 case...I want to bring to your attention a department that has risen to the call of duty and has made the community safer as a result of their hard work, dedication, and commitment. 

In December of 2021, I made several calls to 311 about loose dogs around Sargent Park. My requests kept getting closed without any resolution. Aware of all the hard work DAS had done in the past to reduce the stray dog population, I was concerned that this pack of stray dogs could get out of hand and pose a threat to the community.  Being a dog lover, I was concerned about the welfare of the animals as well.  

On December 27, 2021, I reached out to City Council Member Carolyn King-Arnold’s Office to see if I could get some resolution.  Council Liaison Cindy Hall called me back within the hour and directly put me in touch with Angela Finley in DAS.  After speaking with Angela and expressing to her my concerns and frustration, she informed me that she would get with her staff and come up with a solution to help address the problem and keep me informed on the progress.  Aside from their utmost professionalism, Cindy and Angela made me feel heard as a citizen.  They made me feel that my concern was important and that it would be addressed.  In the weeks that followed, I received either a call or email from a DAS field officer informing me of the captures they’ve made that day or week. 

One day, I had the delightful pleasure of meeting Mike Matthias.  I was passing by the site of my 311 call and saw him out there installing cameras. He had been sent out to the location to install traps for the stray dogs. I introduced myself and proceeded to ask him a thousand questions. What I appreciated the most about Mike that day was his patience and willingness to educate me. He gave me his card and we’ve been friends ever since. Anytime I had a question, concern or just wanted an update, Mike was always available. Enough cannot be said about his humbleness, wealth of knowledge and experience, and passion for what he does. Mike, in addition to the other DAS field officers I interacted with, has a unique passion for the animals that is hard to come by these days. Mike kept in touch with me until the very last trap was picked up and the case officially closed. When all was said and done, DAS captured seven dogs related directly and indirectly to my service request and all were adopted out except for one. Words cannot express how grateful I am to the entire DAS staff who assisted in getting the dogs off the streets and helping give them a second chance at a better life.   

I would like to personally thank DAS for all they do for the animals and the community. Thank you for your commitment and passion.  It has not gone unnoticed. It is my hope that any funding your department may need will be granted because you guys are doing the hard work that needs to be done to help keep the community safe."

Shoutout to Angla Finley-Everett

Sarah S. and Marlo C. would like to thank Angie for helping us get caught up on our backlog of volunteer observations and fluff bios - we are so grateful!

Shoutout to Miranda Koenig

While on light duty, Miranda has helped the Field Services team with administrative tasks. With her help, the team has been closing out 50 additional calls per day!

Shoutout to Felix Sledge

The Foster team would love to highlight Felix for his assistance this week with transport to/from the Everyday Adoption Center. They needed help getting new animals to the EAC and bringing back some animals that needed medical attention. Thanks Felix!

Free Microchip & Vaccine Clinics - May 28, 31

Spay Neuter Network is partnering with Operation Kindness and Dallas Animal Services for a Free Microchip, Distemper/Parvo and Rabies Vaccine clinic for dogs and Free Microchip, FVRCP, and Rabies Vaccines for cats. Other vaccines, Heartworm tests, and preventative medication will be offered at low-cost prices.

Location: Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75212
No appointment is needed but arrive early to make sure you receive service and prepare for a line. Vaccine costs are listed at spayneuternet.org.

Dates:

• Saturday, May 28th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 31th 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

No positions open at this time.

Letter from T.C.:

Click here to view the latest letter from City Manager T.C. Broadnax.

City News:

• City media releases can be found here.
• City news is posted here.

Dallas Animal Services, 1818 North Westmoreland Drive, Dallas, TX 75212  |   Website | Contact: DASpio@dallascityhall.com