Collin County Animal Services hopes to find homes for abandoned animals

Along with a space shortage, the facility also has issues with getting enough people to volunteer.

Photo by Kelsey Kruzich

The Collin County Animal Services shelter is always looking for people to adopt its animals. The shelter has been putting an emphasis on black animals, as they tend to stay in the shelter for months longer than lighter-colored animals

During the spring and early fall months, animals such as dogs and cats are more likely to be dropped off at an animal shelter than to be relocated to a better environment. The Collin County Animal Services shelter, located in McKinney, works to help find these animals homes by holding adoption specials on a weekly basis.

“We’re trying to do everything we can,” said Misty Brown, development services division manager of the CCAS. “Space is an issue for shelters all over the area – not just for us.”

Typically, adoption fees are $75 for dogs and cats, but during the specials, potential pets run for $25.

“Sometimes we do great [adoption-wise], other times we don’t,” said Andrew Tracey, assistant development manager. “Some weekends we adopt out 12 pets, other weekends we only adopt out three or four. It all really depends on how many people show up. But it’s a great feeling when we help put animals in homes.”

Lately, the animal shelter has been holding specials for black or mostly black cats and dogs. Brown said darker animals are less likely to be adopted because they don’t stand out as much as lighter-colored animals.

“We’re always stressing to people who come here to adopt a pet to go for the black or black and white cats and dogs,” she explained. “Most of the animals that are still waiting to be put in a home are darker colored. We don’t have an exact reason why that is, but we think it’s because they kind of blend in compared to other colors. It’s an increasing problem and we don’t know what to do.”

All animals are spayed, neutered and microchipped – a standard for all adoptions. Due to the facility’s limitations, dogs can’t go outside in an open field to play fetch or for training lessons, Tracey said. However, all potential pets are familiar with humans and are not a threat.

The CCAS is not limited to cats and dogs – it’s welcomed a variety of animals, such as cows, pigs, sheep, horses, bobcats, llamas, coyotes and crocodiles. It also works with local farms, ranches and rescue groups to find a home for animals in need of a new habitat.

Low-cost shot and spay-and-neutering clinics are also offered to the public.

“At least three times a month, we’ll have a [health] clinic for the public,” Brown said. “We receive donations quite often, but most proceeds go to the clinics so we don’t have to charge a high fee for something as important as shots and neutering.”

Along with a space shortage, the facility also has issues with getting enough people to volunteer, according to Brown.

“We have roughly 20 to 30 volunteers here day-in, day-out,” she said. “We are hosting a volunteer orientation this Saturday [July 21] from 10 a.m. to noon. We’re hoping for a good turn out – help is never unwanted here, especially when you have to care for all these animals. We really appreciate all of out volunteers.”

Volunteer applications, adoption events and more information about the CCAS can be found either on the shelter’s website, www.collincountytx.gov/animal_services, or on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CollinCountyAnimalServices.

“It’s sad to see all these animals without a home,” Brown said. “We’re doing everything in our power to help these animals.”