Press
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Public Hearing Budget Press Release
Contact:
Ingrid Otero
FBPA!
Cell: 281-740-4408
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF COUNTY BUDGET; ELIMINATION OF EUTHANASIA IN COUNTY SHELTER
Richmond, Texas, September 21, 2015 – Fort Bend Pets Alive!, a Sugar Land-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization focused on transitioning Fort Bend County animal shelter to a “no-kill” operation, testified in support of the County increasing the Animal Service Department budget by 20% for the Fiscal Year 2016.
The “no-kill” movement is a humane and comprehensive approach to achieving a 90% or higher save rate for shelter pets through adoption, reclamation, and transfer efforts. A successful “no-kill” approach to management ensures that less than 10% of shelter cats and dogs ever require euthanasia. Across the United States, more than 200 governments have adopted the “no-kill” program, including nine in Texas. The City of Austin/Travis County is the largest city and county in the United States to adopt “no-kill”.
“Fort Bend County is poised to continue its rapid growth and with that comes a responsibility to provide our citizens with modern government programs,” said Claudine Vass, Founder and President of Fort Bend Pets Alive!. “We understand taking Fort Bend County from an euthanasia rate of 70% to less than 10% will not happen overnight but we are here today to commit to the County and the Animal Services Department that we will be their partner as we eliminate mandatory timeframes to euthanize shelter pets.”
“While we support this budget, there is a $4000 line item budget allocation to Vortech Pharmacy which provides the euthanasia drug for the County”, said Chuck Sweeney, Fort Bend County resident and Fort Bend Pets Alive! volunteer. “According to our calculations, that amount is enough to euthanize over 3,500 fifty pound animals which is well over 50% of all dogs and cats the shelter is expected to intake in Fiscal Year 2016.”
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Stafford City Council Hearing Press Release
Contact:
Claudine Vass FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP, COMMUNITY LEADERS TESTIFY FOR STRONGER AMENDMENTS OF STAFFORD CITY ANIMAL ORDINANCE
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 (Stafford, TX) — The Stafford City Council held a hearing to consider amendments to Chapter 10 of their ordinance code, which is specific to animals, including dogs, cats, and livestock. The proposal makes limited changes to the current ordinance. Fort Bend Pets Alive! and other community members argued for a more robust marketing of adoptable dogs held by the shelter, establishment of a trap-neuter-return program, and the release of $25,000 in capital funds to study construction of animal shelter in the city of Stafford.
“We understand the city has limited resources but we ask you to allow Fort Bend Pets Alive! to assist and to make connections with the community to induce pet adoptions through free resources like volunteers, rescue groups and social media,” said Chuck Sweeney, Fort Bend Pets Alive! board member. “If you put it in your ordinance, we will work with you and Missouri City to implement the ordinance.”
Stafford City Council members raised significant concerns over the community cat challenges their neighborhoods are enduring. Salise Shuttlesworth, founder and Executive Director of Houston non-profit, Friends for Life (a no kill animal shelter & sanctuary) articulated the practical application of a trap-neuter-return program. Ms. Shuttlesworth cited the significant flaw of removing all community cats from a neighborhood which results in the re-colonization by a new cat population. She provided further evidence that science has proven “catch-and-kill” policies have been ineffective.
Xavier Herrera, Stafford resident, trustee of the municipal school district, and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission urged the council to release funds for the study of Stafford constructing its own animal shelter. “I know you have had a great relationship with Missouri City in sheltering Stafford’s stray dogs and I commend you on that,” Mr. Herrera explained. “At some point of time, Stafford will have to go on its own. I urge the council to initiate discussions to address alternative solutions for sheltering Stafford’s stray dogs should the current arrangement with Missouri City be dissolved.”
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and community
outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender
(PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Fort Bend County Press Release
Contact:
Ingrid Otero
FBPA!
Cell: 281-740-4408
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP MEETS WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR ONSITE VETERINARIAN
Richmond, Texas, November 2, 2015 – Fort Bend Pets Alive!, a Sugar Land-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on transitioning Fort Bend County animal shelter to a “no- kill” operation, met with Fort Bend County Precinct One Commissioner, Richard Morrison to support several budget initiatives to be included in the Fiscal Year 2017 Animal Control Services Budget.
Fort Bend Pets Alive! discussed with Commissioner Morrison four budget items that resulted directly from an October meeting held with Fort Bend Animal Control Services director, Rene Vazquez and assistant director, Rodney Garcia. Messrs. Vazquez and Garcia expressed the need for operating funds to hire an onsite veterinarian and veterinary technician, and establish a streamlined fostering program. Additionally, they raised the need for capital budget funds to purchase a mobile spay and neuter van and retrofit the veterinary room, which is currently unused. Commissioner Morrison committed to working with Fort Bend Pets Alive! and Animal Control Services on the initiatives in the coming year.
Commissioner Morrison also understands and sees the need of being proactive and to use a combination of solutions to achieve a higher save rate in Fort Bend County. Emphasis of sustainability of life saving programs has also been discussed and stressed.
Some effective immediate solutions that Commissioner Morrison was receptive to were:
1) Putting the number of deaths of community cats back into monthly reports
2) Switch simple monthly reports to the nationally accepted Asilomar Accords
3) Initiate partnerships with local rescue groups
4) Adopt an aggressive marketing plan to advertise for shelter adoptions
“We will continue to work with the Commissioners Court and the Animal Control Services leadership to make Fort Bend County a no-kill shelter” said Claudine Vass, Co-Founder and President of Fort Bend Pets Alive!. We know they can do better and we are committed to make them better.”
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Contact:
Claudine Vass FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND COMMISSIONER SUPPORTS CAPITAL FUNDS TO RETROFIT VETERINARIAN ROOM AND ADDITIONAL VETERINARIAN PERSONNEL
Rosenberg, Texas, December 17, 2015 – Precinct One Commissioner, Richard Morrison, arranged the meeting with Fort Bend Pets Alive!, a Sugar Land-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization focused on transitioning Fort Bend County animal shelter to a “no-kill” operation, to provide a status report on the budgetary and operational issues discussed during the November 2, 2015, meeting between the two parties.
Commissioner Morrison issued his support for Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget funding to retrofit the veterinarian room in the Fort Bend County animal shelter. Additionally, Morrison indicated his support to work with the City of Rosenberg to share an onsite veterinarian and veterinarian technicians. Successful implementation of these measures would guarantee vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries, and medical care for all dogs and cats at both shelters. FBPA! welcomes the opportunity to work with Commissioner Morrison and the City of Rosenberg to implement these measures.
Fort Bend County Animal Services is transitioning to Asilomar Accords record keeping. Asilomar Accords is the nationally accepted shelter data tracking software. However, the county does not include feral cats in their euthanasia rates, classifying them as (wild) animals. Commissioner Morrison did indicate there are complications in the process. To be in compliance to the county’s goal to reduce euthanasia by 50% as stated in the annual operating budget in the last few years, FBPA! reiterated the importance of including deaths of feral/community cats in the euthanasia rate. FBPA! supports maximum transparency which enables all stakeholders to be on the same page.
Claudine Vass, President of FBPA! said following the meeting, “We are excited to hear the support growing for these critical animal welfare issues.” She continued, “While we have a long way to go, if we are able to implement these measures then we have made significant improvements over the status quo.”
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Contact:
Claudine Vass FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND COMMISSIONER ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN CAPITAL FUNDS TO RETROFIT VETERINARIAN ROOM AND ADDITIONAL VETERINARIAN PERSONNEL
Richmond, Texas, March 7th , 2015 – Precinct One Commissioner, Richard Morrison, arranged the meeting with Fort Bend Pets Alive!, a Sugar Land-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization focused on transitioning Fort Bend County animal shelter to a “no-kill” operation, to provide a status report on the budgetary and operational issues discussed during the November 2, 2015, meeting between the two parties.
Commissioner Morrison gave it a 45 day time frame to work in budget funding to retrofit the veterinarian room and add a medical staff in the Fort Bend County animal shelter for Fiscal Year 2017. The prospect of CIP (Capital Improvement Project) under the General Fund account was also discussed. Commissioner Morrison indicated his support to work with the City of Rosenberg to share an onsite veterinarian and veterinarian technicians.
Per Commissioner Morrison’s request of the assessment of building a new shelter as a viable solution, FBPA! provided statistics of a vast population and the number of kennels needed in terms of number of intake based on the MIS Formula for Projecting Animal Shelter Size. FBAP! expressed concerns of volatility of data provided by the County, Shelter Director Mr. Vasquez and his staff. Based on the provided data, FBPA! was not able to establish the need of building a new animal shelter for Fort Bend County. The high kill rate of the county shelter is a problem of lack of sustainable life saving programs, not a facility problem. An amount much less than the construction cost of a new shelter is much needed for a community low-cost ($20 max.), high- volume and targeted spay and neuter program. The urgent need of adding a medical quarantine area is much needed, as mentioned in the December meeting.
Several recommendations were provided to Commissioner Morrison by Fort Bend Pets Alive!
1) To main transparency and to continue to build trust with the community, the shelter and County are to release accurate save rate to the public at all times. Monthly reports must be posted on line in a timely manner. Omitting a month is not recommended.
2) Animal adoption with responsible procedures is best practice. The goal is to “Help People Help Pets” and it can be achieved by providing thorough pre-adoption counseling with post-adoption resources. Consistency will also help.
3) FBCAS is urged to share a DNA (Do Not Adopt) and DNF (Do Not Foster) list with all nearby animal shelters to better protect our animals.
4) The community has proven that they are willing to offer their time and resources to help the county shelter to protect the animals and to save their lives. FBPA! kindly reminded the Commissioner that continued consistent and open communication between the community, the Shelter and the County will facilitate the growth process more efficiently.
5) Whether feral cats are included in the intake number is still an uncertainty due to delayed posting of report.
Commissioner Morrison will follow up with FBPA! about the contract status of the veterinarian servicing bi-weekly wellness visits at the shelter and a few other operational issues. He also suggested to contact him if there are unresolved issues, questions or problems with the county shelter and issues of animal cruelty.
Claudine Vass, President of FBPA! said following the meeting, “Lives are precious. Accountability is crucial in the process to identify problems and allocating limited resources.” She continued, “While we have a long way to go, if we are able to implement these measures then we have made significant improvements over the status quo.”
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS), and promote rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Stafford City Council Meeting Press Release
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
A “BIG WIN” FOR THE ANIMALS IN CITY OF STAFFORD, TEXAS MAYOR SCARCELLA AND CITY COUNCIL
Stafford, Texas, February 3rd, 2016 – Animal Welfare Leaders and Volunteers turned out to Speak for the Animal at an intense City Council Meeting to Support Amendments to the Proposed Animal Ordinance Sec 10.
The primary goal is to institute a “no kill” mission with clarity of language to ensure the successful partnerships with non-profit groups. Policy and procedures which guarantee all impounded animals will be offered for adoption and ample time for owners to cover all basis to find and be reunited.
Speakers with Fort Bend Pets Alive! spoke for the animals before City Council, Dec 16th 2015, Jan 27th 2015 and Feb 3rd 2015 and brought support in volunteers, and statistics and education material to validate how other municipalities have been successful in adopting a “NO KILL” policy.
- Less than 500 animals a year. With est. 770,000 people in Fort Bend County, it takes much less than 1⁄2 percent to adopt to prevent unnecessary euthanasia.
- PETS Act passed in 2006 to include family pets in emergency rescue operations.
- Over 530 localities participate in Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) programs with success of reducing unwanted populations. *
- Texas has 43 municipalities with TNR ordinances.*
Claudine Vass, along with several like minded animal advocated co-founded the non-profit for pets in Fort Bend County in October of 2014. “This is a great win tonight for our family members” said Claudine, “by postponing the ordinance to be passed for Stafford, this give us time for proper language to be revised that will ensure all animals will get a chance to live.”
Other speakers who spoke for the best interest of people and the animals included:
- Salise Shuttersworth J.D., Executive Director of Friends for Life, located in Houston, the only LEED certified No Kill Animal Shelter in the State of Texas.
- Sandy Holloman, a Stafford resident and an animal foster.
Each speaker concurred the following to be of importance:
- Form a work group to create language in the ordinance to paramount to cover all bases in what will ensure a successful policy to save lives and to engage private partnerships to help.
- The selling of animals need to be prohibited.
- Community outreach in marketing of animals importance creates success in saving lives.
- The website Pet Harbor should be utilized.
All supporters gave an extended sincere and warm thanks for the opportunity the elected officials have afforded this community. Mayor Scacella conducted a meeting of leadership with welcome mat for the speakers willing to share their expertise on how to make this exciting program for the community to work for all.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list. Fort Bend Pets Alive! relies on donations. Please contact [email protected] to donate, or volunteer.
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Rosenberg Press Release 10/24/16
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
CITY OF ROSENBERG – AN UNPRECEDENTED “DISPOSITION GOAL” TRUMPS THE ANIMAL WELFARE INDUSTRY’S STANDARD OF OVERALL SAVE RATE TO MEASURE SUCCESS IN SAVING LIVES OF ANIMALS.
Rosenberg, Texas, Monday, October 24, 2016
A candid conversation was held between Police Chief Warren, Assistant Chief Dunn, Animal Officer McAnally, Rosenberg residents Lorene Lindsey and Danna Psencik who invited FBPA! to attend the meeting to address issues of accountability, staffing, volunteer program, euthanasia procedures and animal advisory board.
Given a crucial role in transitioning the animal shelter to meet the purpose of the new department mission statement of taking “proactive measures to place stray and abandoned animals in adoptive homes”, the Police Department of Rosenberg and the shelter staff are expected to set goals, both in short term and long term and to have an action plan to close gaps, to manage change and to measure success through a well-outlined process. Expectations also include placing public interest above self-interest, reaching out to learn new knowledge and understanding industry standards.
The department’s focus on “disposition goal”, explained by Chief and Assistant Chief when it comes to assessing the performance of the shelter is little-known and it records singular effort. Disregarding the industry’s standard of overall save rate is eschewing reality, accountability and shows lack of commitment to save lives as clearly mandated by the new mission statement on the city website. It also does not fulfill the new mission statement’s requirement of being “proactive”. Advocates stressed the current save rate of 48% is notably low. It drastically dropped from 96% in April to 48% in September this year.
Chief was also adamant about keeping Officer McAnally as the Interim Shelter Supervisor despite save rate plummeting over the last five months. He stated the consideration is timeless due to the wonderful job that Officer McAnally is doing. The Chief also reminded advocates that he does not promise the job position will ever be posted. Assistant Chief Dunn shared information about the hiring process of a kennel tech position and stated interviews will start soon. She is adamant about putting the shelter in order. She also understands the need to recruit more volunteers and foster effective communication to facilitate invitations to adoption events.
In regards to protocols of euthanasia, Officer McAnally stated that most animals that are put down are overdosed with xylazine, rendering them unconscious before the second needle goes in to finalize the process and that heart stick is used only as a last resort, or for aggressive dogs. Weight used for euthanasia dosages is based on the weight of animal upon intake. However, the city has not been able to provide a copy of Standard Operation Procedure on Euthanasia.
Chief clearly stated that Advisory Board meetings are open to the public. Lorene Lindsey asked that consideration be taken to make the meetings more organized and professional.
With reference to their professed efforts to make positive change in improving shelter management, finding a dog left in the City of Rosenberg Animal Control truck, parked outside the Police Department for over one and a half hours while Officer McAnally attended the meeting is not a reflection of change. The truck engine was off, the minimal ventilation was cut off and the tree shade did not provide comfort to a frightened, howling animal cooped up in a small, dark space for over ninety minutes. We urge the city and the shelter, as the responsible authority, to stop this callous practice. It creates controversies, liability issues and a bad reputation while they are trying so hard to make positive changes.
Residents from Rosenberg, Fort Bend County and nearby areas encourage officials responsible for shelter operations to be progressive and shift the focus to saving lives.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Rosenberg Press Release 11/30/16
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
WEDNESDAY November 30, 2016, 2016 Rosenberg, Texas.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 City of Rosenberg City Council Meeting WHEN IS SUPPRESSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT GOING TO STOP IN ROSENBERG,TEXAS?
Two times the City of Rosenberg has pushed General Comments to the end of the night in recent city council meeting records, both times it was done to animal lovers.
Prior to the 7:00 o’clock Regular City Council Meeting, Fort Bend Pets Alive! along with residents from Rosenberg, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Richmond, Brazoria County and Harris County displayed 2,026 white paper links to represent the 2,026 healthy and adoptable animals that were killed by the Rosenberg Animal Shelter in the past three years. Of all the links, 5 links were green in color to signify the 5 true euthanasias performed in the month of April when the shelter had a compassionate and hard working director who was later terminated. There were talks and promises of change and that change was a process. While Police Chief Warren adamantly guaranteed Rosenberg residents and Fort Bend Pets Alive! things were going well and moving forward in a private meeting on October 24th, more and more animals died in the Rosenberg Animal Shelter. Emails were never replied to in order to help us understand the lack of logic behind their un-matching words and actions. In October alone, intake was 84 dogs and cats. 81 were killed. Animal lovers were treated with disrespect and hostility. Is it because they do not want to hear about the 81 healthy and adoptable dogs and cats being killed in that shelter while there were talks and promises of change that never really happened?
Compassion has no boundaries. Public officials are encouraged to overcome their own excuses and do the right thing to save lives. Our cause is their cause.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Thank You Letter to Donars 12/20/16
December 20, 2016
Dear All,
On behalf of Fort Bend Pets Alive!, I would like to give you an annual overview of our organization. Your support helps us continue in our mission to make Fort Bend County a no kill community.
In the last two years, we have hosted over fifty community events in Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Stafford and Richmond in Fort Bend County. We reached out and engaged with different communities and schools to promote compassion and local shelter adoption. Our adoption events were all held in high traffic areas with heavy pre-event promotion. Marketing for our voiceless pets is the key to increase adoption rates. In attendance were elected officials, local athletes, families, animal lovers and prospective adopters.
Adoption events are an integral part of life-saving methods. At the annual Fort Bend Shelter Pets Expo Adoption Event in May, we had 28 volunteers with 110 hours dedicated to help find homes for our animals. Another showcase event we had this year was the Free Adoption Event at Fort Bend Kia in August. The compassionate and generous operator/owner of the FB Kia dealership, Mr. Virgil Skinner, brought Ol’ Railroad Cafe, HEB, three municipal shelters and a non-profit No Kill shelter from Houston under one roof to help animals find homes. Collaboration works and we set the record of finding homes for 27 dogs and cats in four hours!
On the political advocacy side, we have built public and private partnerships with different municipalities at different levels. More education brings more awareness. After 6 months of advocating communally and politically, we successfully raised awareness of community cats in Fort Bend County. Fort Bend County Animal Shelter included the number of deaths of community cats in monthly reports beginning with calendar year 2016. That was a big change in the right direction to increase transparency. Concurrently, we successfully stopped proposed inhumane changes to the animal ordinance in the City of Stafford from passing on two different occasions. The final draft is the first ordinance in our area to have provisions of life saving programs for shelter pets, such as TNR for community cats and a shelter adoption program with stronger protection. In this particular legislative process, hundreds of Staffordians, concerned animal lovers from all over the Greater Houston area, Brazoria County and Fort Bend County residents came together to participate and support the cause . That has definitely set the tone in Fort Bend County.
Throughout this year, we have also gained a handful of valuable and dedicated volunteers who do not only give us their time, they give us their talent and expertise. Fort Bend Pets Alive! is proud to have the ability to produce two PSAs to promote shelter adoption and TNR in our area. With over 15 community partners from both for-profit and non-profit sectors and multiple mentions in local magazines, newspapers (Houston Chronicle, The Katy News) and evening news by Fox 26 Houston, we can say it was a great year for Fort Bend Pets Alive!
Fort Bend Pets Alive! is run by all volunteers and it solely depends on donations to continue our mission of making Fort Bend County a no kill community.
Thanks again for your trust, support and continued support.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you, your family and your furry loved ones.
Claudine Vass
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Rosenberg Press Release 12/20/16
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
TUESDAY November 27, 2016, 2016 Rosenberg, Texas.
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 Animal Advocates and Fort Bend Pets Alive! Persevered the Six Month Efforts in Clarifying Myths of No Kill and Advocacy to the City Council of Rosenberg.
In the last city council meeting on December 6th, 2016, several City Councilors along with Mayor McConathy of Rosenberg unwaveringly asserted there were confusions about what no-kill means and doesn’t mean. Concerned Fort Bend citizens and animal advocates took the time during the holiday season to offer another presentation of clarification to the council after multiple attempts.
Ms. Ann Gardner, an animal lover who has been volunteering with a no kill group for sixteen years, urged the council to understand the definition as the first step forward towards helping more animals and becoming no kill. No kill means that no animals are killed for space. No healthy or otherwise treatable animal should be killed when alternatives exist to save them.
Today, 1) almost 1,000,000 people live in communities where the municipal shelter is saving at least 98% of the animals;
2) at least 10,000,000 people love in communities where the municipal shelter is saving at least 90% of animals; 3) and over 40,000,000 live in communities saving at least 80%.
And the numbers continue to grow. The “adopt some and kill the rest” paradigm which has dominated our nation’s shelters for so long is being replaced.
City of Rosenberg is far behind in joining the national trend of municipalities and counties across the United States being on the cutting edge of investing in animal welfare. Our connection to our pets is a strong indicator of our wellness in all aspects of our life. It is also the vitality of the economy both now and for the future. There is no reason not to save lives.
Mr. Paul Christy, an animal advocate from Richmond, Texas emphasized his independence from any group, Fort Bend Pets Alive! in particular, to ensure the council’s worries and concerns of a non-profit organization crossing the political line as expressed in the last city council meeting, was not valid. He urged folks to see the light and be part of the humane, civilized solution. Some folks do not care for children but they do not stop supporting child welfare services. Saving lives of homeless animals should not be a controversy as accounted by Mr. Paul Christy. Fifty cats killed in the month of November is not acceptable but “we are all guilty” of letting it happen.
Ms. Danna Psencik, a Rosenberg resident, continued her effort to strongly suggest to the City Council of Rosenberg to learn about no kill in depth. No kill is science based with statistics she said. The solutions are measurable and targeted. It can help utilize limited resources to save more lives. NO KILL is a national social movement and it WILL turn America No Kill.
In response to the City Council’s expressed intention to work with a no kill group in the prior meeting, Ms. Claudine Vass, President of Fort Bend Pets Alive! sincerely urged the council to pursue a no kill group that is reputable to help the animals. The first step is to make sure the monthly reports use the same national yard sticks to collect and analyze data. A wrong total number of intake affects important decisions on daily operations, staffing issues and budgeting for the next fiscal year. The bottom line is, it affects tax dollars being spent on saving lives or putting animals down unnecessarily. It is crucial to assess the situation and identify solutions to save more lives. Ms. Vass also invited the City of Rosenberg to embark the meaningful journey together to save at least 90% of the companion animals in Rosenberg shelter in the new year.
Advocates gave the council warm wishes for the holidays.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Rosenberg Press Release 10/24/16
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
Rosenberg, Texas, Tuesday, January 12, 2017
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 2017. CITY OF ROSENBERG CITY COUNCIL OBSCURELY UNSEATS A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY BOARD.
New Year New Resolution is not the case in City of Rosenberg! City of Rosenberg continues to remove compassionate and animal loving employee and volunteers from the Animal Shelter. They tried to encourage change at the shelter. The City of Rosenberg bans volunteers from the facility who have spoken out about the practices there. Advocates and volunteers were hopeful that the Rosenberg Animal Shelter was moving toward achieving its published updated mission statement of “taking proactive measures to place stray and abandoned animals in adoptive homes while operating and maintaining a shelter for those in need,” the City of Rosenberg, its interim shelter director, and police department, jointly, dismissed an extraordinary volunteer, who also served on the Animal Advisory Board. Laura Knizner was removed from the city’s volunteer program immediately, as of the January 3rd, 2017, City Council Meeting. Executive session was held to make this determination, and Laura Knizner was not offered the chance to provide comment regarding the nebulous accusations that were the basis of her removal.
Laura Knizner has given countless hours of her time and considerable monetary donations to facilitate lifesaving programs that offered sheltered pets at Rosenberg Animal Shelter to adoptive homes, be returned to their owners, and tagged by rescue organizations. Laura was the driving force to ensure the Rosenberg Animal Advisory Board complied with the mandate to meet at least three times per year. Though city population of Rosenberg does not meet the size requirement for it to have an animal advisory board, precedent of having one in the past supports the intent to serve the taxpayers by acting in good faith and with transparency. The meetings have been called sporadically, and board members did not hold proper credentials to serve in their capacity. Laura raised awareness of these deficiencies, and pushed for regular meetings when she assumed her duties on the board in 2016. One major accomplishment that Laura pursued during her term was lifting the ban on adopting out pit bulls.
She has developed a sizeable network of volunteers who organized and attended adoption and fundraising events, giving the sheltered animals exposure that increased their chances for leaving the shelter alive. She recruited a professional photographer who took beautiful and effective photos for marketing pets.
It is widely known that in any community expressing interest in saving lives of sheltered pets, volunteerism is essential, and has played a major role in supporting efforts of shelter staff. In this case, it was clear that the percentage of animals saved has grown, but, unfortunately, so has the status quo embraced by the entire city staff.
Contrary to their claims of “making great progress,” its recent decision to dismiss Laura Knizner would indicate otherwise. Despite many written inquiries to the council asking why Laura Knizner was removed as both Animal Advisory Board member and volunteer, only vague answers have been given.
The government of Rosenberg sends a strong message that it holds the conventional mindset of simply operating a catch and kill shelter.
The Rosenberg Animal Shelter staff and the City of Rosenberg mayor, chief of police, and city council, sadly short changed themselves and their constituents by failing to embrace improvement and change. Volunteers are free resources that save taxpayers money. Volunteers who are as dedicated as Laura Knizner are rare indeed.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Missouri City Perfect Attendance 1/16/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
Monday January 16th, 2017 Missouri City, Texas
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11th, 2017 MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS
“FRIENDS OF MISSOURI CITY ANIMAL SHELTER PETS” RECEIVES AWARD OF $500 FROM FBPA! FOR PERFECT ATTENDANCE AT FBPA!ADOPTION EVENTS.
The word compassion holds love and it holds care. In the case of “Friends of Missouri City Animals Shelter Pets”, compassion also holds hard work, persistence and innovation. Sometimes being good is not enough in the fight to save lives of pets in shelters. Being instrumental and disruptively innovative is what leads to a steady climb of save rate of both cats and dogs in the last two years at this small city shelter. With less than 1,500 intake of dogs and cats per year, some people would say it is not possible to do better due to its size. That is not the belief of Valerie Tolman and her team. When the volunteer program was started in May of 2014, there was an immediate impact on the number of dogs and cats that were saved at the shelter. The euthanasia rate for dogs was decreased close to 50% and 30% for cats in the second quarter of 2014. The group then formed a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 status to expand much needed services for impounded animals to keep them healthy, alive and adoptable. Their efforts gradually and surely help fill gaps in the city sheltering system. As life saving programs were implemented step by step, the volunteers became more and more valued by the shelter staff. Henceforth, the following impactful differences were made in the last two years. 1) No dog or cat has been placed without either being spayed or neutered, or leaving with a pre-paid voucher to cover the surgery when the animal is old enough.
2) All sheltered animals receive vaccines, medicine, worm and flea treatment on intake and monthly heartworm prevention for dogs. 3) Animals with treatable sicknesses or injury do not need to be euthanized.
4) Off site adoption events became a regular activity.
5) Marketing for the shelter and the animals started and thrived to lead to great publicity.
6) Implementation of play groups ensures more socialization and exercise for large breed dogs to become more adoptable.
6) City Officials have started to take pride and interest in progress made in the city shelter.
With a first goal of reaching 80% save rate, the volunteers of Missouri City Animal Shelter works very hard to collaborate with Fort Bend Pets Alive! and the rescue community. At every adoption event they have attended, they are well prepared with kennel cards, supplies, equipment and precious volunteers who give great assistance and customer service to all prospective adopters. The citizens and city officials of Missouri City recognized the great work by naming Valerie Tolman, head of the group as their Volunteer of the Year on January 3rd this year . It was a wonderful reminder that being persistently conducive to positive change yields desired results.
There are still ways to go. Fort Bend Pets Alive! strongly encourages the city officials of Missouri City to support this group of dedicated volunteers by providing resources to sustain and protect the numerous great improvements that have been made. With the exponential growth that Fort Bend County is experiencing, it is only the right and wise thing to do. The most immediate need is to put in some fresh air intake to service the entire shelter. The volunteers already paid for UV lights in the air ducts to help kill viruses, but shelter recommendations are that a ventilation system have between 8 and 15 air exchanges as hour. (according to vet recommendations and as noted in “Maddie’s Infection Control Manual for Animal Shelters”) A ventilation system is completely lacking. Missouri City Animal Shelter has no fresh air intake.
Missouri City is fortunate to have such a great group of citizens by its side to be in the forefront of humane treatment of animals in our county. We are hopeful to see more great things happening in Missouri City Animal Shelter.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Stafford Annual Town Meeting 1/25/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
ANIMAL ADVOCATES PRAISE CITY OF STAFFORD FOR PROTECTING COMMUNITY CATS.
City of Stafford, Texas, January 25th, 2017 – Fort Bend Pet Alive!, along with animal advocates commends the City of Stafford for its compassionate leadership and offers help to spearhead Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to save lives of community cats.
A long time Stafford resident Ms. Janet Starr expresses her deep appreciation of the Mayor’s Workshop meeting on November 21st, 2016. Ms. Starr supports the solid business approach chosen by the Mayor to discuss how to make “the odds and ends” meet between shortcomings and mandates of the new ordinance, advice from the animal advocates and the logistics that should be implemented by the city staff, the Police Department in particular. She is disinterested in Pro Tem Mayor Willis’ repeated request of a list of humane organizations to “outsource” the responsibility to take care of the Stafford animals “without anymore obligation of the city”. She also points out that it is not a “viable solution”. Instead, there needs to be more communication and efforts put forth to lead to a business plan, better business practices and standard operation procedures to be in place to improve outcomes. She sees this issue as important as economic development and school improvement in the city. She reminds the city to strive to make it possible for City of Stafford to manage its own animal shelter in the future.
Claudine Vass, President of Fort Bend Pets Alive!, Salise Shuttlesworth, J.D., Executive Director of Friends for Life, (a LEED certified No Kill Shelter in the Houston Heights) and Brigitte Turner, former animal shelter supervisor of the City of Rosenberg stand strong and unified to offer the much needed logistics, free resources and possible funding to help City of Stafford to spearhead such a meaningful community project to make City of Stafford a more compassionate and better place for all. Ms. Shuttlesworth speaks to City of Stafford about life saving data and benefits of the three year old public/private TNR partnership Friends for Life has with the City of Houston. Ms. Shuttlesworth reiterated the protocols of TNR step by step in front of the council again. The steps are colony counting, block walking, trapping, transport, surgery, recovery and return to the environment. Animal advocates further emphasize the importance of self-sustainability of life saving programs and operations of the animal shelter in the future.
Mayor Scarcella values public input and involvement. In his State of the City speech in the beginning of the meeting and in a response to the animal advocates during the Public Comment portion, he emphasizes his desire to see citizens coming together and getting actively involved to make something great happen for the City of Stafford. Mayor Scarcella values “an aggressive no-kill provision bolstered in a trap, neuter and return policy, for feral cats” which requires a tremendous amount of support from the residents of Stafford.
Advocates conclude their speeches by not only offering commitment to the City of Stafford, they deliberate compliments and appreciation of the open mindedness displayed by the council. Ms. Turner stated that the Mayor and the Council have demonstrated “willingness to learn more about no-kill,” they have “invited the help of FBPA! and they have also facilitated opportunities for open face-to-face dialog”. Animal advocates commend City of Stafford on “the progress, effort, and care you [Stafford] have invested in making plans for the future Stafford animal shelter”. They also respect the exceptional forward thinking displayed by the city officials. Animal advocates are very optimistic that the city of Stafford has the potential to serve as a role model and lead the way in becoming the first no-kill city in our region.
Other municipalities in our region are encouraged to follow the footsteps of City of Stafford.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Stafford Annual Town Meeting 1/25/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
“MEOW BOOK BUDDIES” COLLABORATION RESULTS IN GREAT SUCCESS
City of Sugar Land, Texas, March 4th, 2017 – Fort Bend Pet Alive! is honored to inform you that the event was a great success despite no cat was adopted out. The homeless cats from shelters received a lot of attention and compliments from everyone who participated. We had a very steady flow of families and youngsters (standing in line at times) to spend time and to read to cats. We are also honored to have so many dedicated volunteers. They helped set up for the event, complimented young readers for their compassion and shared the importance of shelter adoption with them. We were so pleased to have so many amazing volunteers. The excitement generated from this “Meow Book Buddies” program was phenomenal!
Our one person tent that provides privacy for young readers was also a hit! The children were able to have a cat sit on their lap, pet the head, feel the tail while they were reading a Dr. Seuss book. It was a magical moment for all of us! Please check out our Facebook page for selfies taken by Ms. Gizzy.
Feedback from the book store was very favorable. They loved the flow of positive energy and especially the significant amount increased in sales in this particular afternoon. They will definitely continue the program with Fort Bend Pets Alive!. Collaboration works! As we make this a regular event, we will start seeing adoption and will save more lives.
PLEASE KEEP TELLING THE STORY FOR OUR COMPANION ANIMALS!
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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3 Events in One Day 3/25/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! REACHES A HISTORICAL MILESTONE ON SATURDAY MARCH 25TH, 2017 WITH THREE EVENTS AND EIGHT ADOPTIONS IN FOUR HOURS!
In the short two and a half years since its inception, Fort Bend Pets Alive! has experienced an exponential growth in terms of number of volunteers, community engagement, donations and media mentions and exposure. This past Saturday (March 25th, 2017) was a wonderful example of the success we are experiencing.
The board of FBPA! has been active and diligent to raise awareness of important life-saving programs in our county. High-profile shelter adoption events, for example, rescue many of our companion animals from shelters. Targeted Trap-Neuter-Return is another effective and humane method that prevents cats from going into shelters in the first place and keeps them from being unnecessarily euthanized.
FBPA!’s volunteer base grew from three original people to a list of seventy volunteers and it is this free resource that enabled us to have two teams of volunteers leading and working two events. That teamwork allowed one of our board members to attend the all-day “Best Friends Regional Animal Welfare Summit” in North Houston this past Saturday to learn more about initiating collaborative efforts to form a coalition that saves lives.
At the Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics Sugar Land Free Adoption Event (all paid for by the dentist group), we had seven volunteers who set up, reached out to the public, engaged in educational dialogues to spread the message of compassion and cleaned up after the event.
We totaled eight adoptions in four hours. If our local shelters had provided more support to the event, there would have been a larger number of adoptions. Given the enormous potential, we will keep fostering public/private relationships with our local shelters.
At the Missouri City Little League Baseball Opening Day, three volunteers also put in a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to raise funds to help pay for community cats’ spay and neuter surgery in City of Stafford. They also evoked compassion from hundreds of families, young athletes, and organizers to understand crucial life-saving solutions for community cats.
Fort Bend Pets Alive! has been able to achieve and progress our mission because of our dedicated volunteers, and the support from local businesses such as Fort Bend Kia and Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics Sugar Land. Each of our teammates and collaborators is passionate about No-Kill. Their kindness inspired a far- reaching desire to correct a social injustice problem in Fort Bend County. They desire to see all homeless pets be placed in good homes.
A big round of applause to them for propelling the movement by simply caring for the most voiceless citizens!
FBPA! strives to fill the void that was not filled for a long time. We are a compassionate community. Becoming part of the solution to save lives of our companion animals certainly attracts collaboration and results in making Fort Bend County a better and stronger community.
Join the No-Kill movement. Save all the healthy and adoptable homeless companion animals who CAN and WILL make great family members.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
###
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Stafford Zoning 4/11/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
STAFFORD RESIDENTS ALONG WITH FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! TESTIFY TO SAFEGUARD FUTURE LOCATION OF A PRIVATE ANIMAL SHELTER.
Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 (Stafford, TX) – Animal advocates incentivize City of Stafford to include provisions in the new zoning ordinance to allow development of an animal sanctuary in the Primary Corridor or Island Districts.
At the Joint Stafford City Council & Zoning and Planning Commission Meeting, President of Fort Bend Pets Alive! Claudine Vass, along with several folks from Stafford and local business owners recommend to the Mayor, City Council and Commissioners of Stafford to include provisions in the new zoning ordinance to allow Fort Bend Pets Alive! to develop an animal sanctuary in the Primary Corridor or the Island Districts.
It is with our utmost concerns that City of Stafford gives the permission to allow an animal sanctuary to be developed in the prestigious districts that provide high accessibility and visibility for the homeless animals. Our group has the interest, know-how and capabilities to put a plan together to develop an impressive, first-class animal sheltering facility to take care of the companion animals in Stafford. The animal sanctuary will take care of the homeless pets with the goal that they will be placed in good and caring homes. Our vision is to make Stafford a no kill community with an elevated awareness of kindness to animals. We will lead by example to develop, to promote and to share great new ideas and programs to help Stafford residents care for their pets. We believe that Stafford can become a city that will grab national attention, attract employers and residents to treasure these pets. It will be recognized as influential because of it being tolerant, innovative and compassionate.
Long time resident Sandy Holloman, who takes pride living in Stafford, wants to see Stafford’s homeless pets being taken care of. She urges the city government and zoning and planning commission to update the zoning ordinance to allow a no kill shelter to be developed. Maria Rychlik, also a resident from Stafford agrees the shelter needs to be located in the PC District for excellent exposure. Janet Starr is hopeful the community involvement will be beneficial to Stafford and will foster relationships with small animals and enhancing quality of life in the city.
All animal advocates present are very impressed with the general concurrence from both the Stafford City Council and the Zoning and Planning Commission that the homeless pets in Stafford need assistance and protection. Most of the officials are favorable and excited how they can provide safety and security to the animals in Stafford.
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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Rosenberg City Council Meeting 6/6/17
Contact:
Claudine Vass
FBPA!
Cell: 832-368-8885
For Immediate Release
Monday, June 12th, 2017 ROSENBERG, TEXAS
TUESDAY, JUNE 6th , 2017. NEWLY-ELECTED MAYOR BENTON, COUNCILOR BALDERAS ALONG WITH INCUMBENT COUNCILOR BARTA SWEAR INTO OFFICE.
Ms. Lorene Lindsey, a Rosenberg resident, long-time animal advocate, and Treasurer of Fort Bend Pets Alive!, congratulated and welcomed new leadership in the City of Rosenberg at City Hall along with 150 other attendees. In her speech, Lindsey told the council, “I believe with new leadership, there comes new ideas, new energy, new dreams, and new hopes. And hopefully, some new opened hearts.”
Ms. Lindsey referred to the high-kill animal shelter in the City of Rosenberg that is in dire need of attention. Ms. Lindsey sincerely invites every city official to meet with animal lovers who care and who are willing to help by implementing modern life-saving solutions that are proven to work. Some of these life-saving solutions have been effective in many communities all over the nation, and they will cost the city and taxpayers zero dollars.
Newly-elected William Benton makes it very clear in different speeches that the council will not deter anyone who wishes to speak in the “General Comments From the Audience” portion, which is scheduled to take place immediately after announcements and before “Consent Agenda.” He insists the “General Comment From the Audience” portion will remain at the beginning of the meeting and not be pushed to the end of “Regular Agenda” items, a move that in the past has significantly hindered public discourse with delays. Mayor Benton encourages the public to engage and voice their opinions. He emphasizes the council will be receiving updates at Council Workshop meetings held every fourth Tuesday of the month at 6PM. He is interested to know the figures documented in monthly reports and the euthanasia rates in particular. Mayor Benton invites the public to sit in monthly Council Workshop meetings as well.
The new tone under new leadership grabs our attention, but change in action is what the public is eager to see. The City of Rosenberg is in a poised position to make a comeback by regaining the no-kill status it achieved in April 2016.
Fort Bend Pets Alive!’s offer to complement the life-saving transformation still stands. Ms. Lindsey advised the council, “You (the City Council) just have to want it. You (the City Council) could do it tomorrow if you wanted it.”
All animal advocates present are very impressed with the general concurrence from both the Stafford City Council and the Zoning and Planning Commission that the homeless pets in Stafford need assistance and protection. Most of the officials are favorable and excited how they can provide safety and security to the animals in Stafford.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how its animal are treated.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
About Fort Bend County Pets Alive!
FORT BEND PETS ALIVE! is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, dedicated to helping make
Fort Bend a no kill community through programs such as adoptions, education and
community outreach, low cost spay and neuter surgeries, fostering, Positive Alternatives to
Shelter Surrender (PASS), and rescuing from euthanasia list.
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