**SPCA of East Texas Launches "Operation Kindness Rescue," Takes In Dozens Amid North Texas Shelter Crisis**
The SPCA of East Texas has launched "Operation Kindness Rescue," taking in nearly 75 dogs and cats from an overwhelmed Operation Kindness shelter in Carrollton, Texas, as North Texas grapples with unprecedented animal overcrowding and widespread disease outbreaks.
The initial transport on Friday, July 12, saw 25 dogs arrive at the SPCA of East Texas's facility in Tyler, Texas. These animals originated from Operation Kindness, which has been stretched to its limits after accepting animals from over two dozen municipal shelters across North Texas facing critical capacity issues.
A second, larger transport on July 18 brought nearly 50 more animals, including dogs and cats, directly to the Tyler facility. These animals were also sourced from Operation Kindness, which itself had received a staggering 164 animals just the previous weekend from various North Texas shelters.
Shelters throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including those near Lake Lavon, are struggling with severe overcrowding, exacerbated by a high number of stray animals found in regions like the North Texas Municipal Water District and the City of Princeton. Compounding the crisis are widespread outbreaks of distemper and parvo, which significantly hinder adoption and transfer efforts. The Texas Animal Health Commission is actively involved in managing the spread of these diseases.
In response to this urgent need, the SPCA of East Texas has cleared every available space within its Tyler facility. Emergency kennels, dog runs, and even sections of their cat rooms have been repurposed to accommodate the new arrivals. Each animal is receiving critical veterinary care, including vaccinations, microchips, and spay/neuter surgery. As a precautionary measure due to the ongoing health crisis, animals arriving from Operation Kindness are being housed in isolated areas.
Facing an unprecedented influx, the SPCA of East Texas is appealing to the community for support. Residents are urged to consider fostering or adopting animals to free up much-needed space, or to donate to help cover the overwhelming costs of veterinary care and supplies. More information on how to help can be found at their website, [spcaeasttx.com](https://www.spcaeasttx.com/).
