Dallas Animals Services is waiving adoption fees due to its kennels being at capacity.

The department took in more than 60 dogs alone on Wednesday. Some were surrendered by their owners, but most were rounded up by staff.

The new director of DAS says while they're making big strides regarding the city's loose dog problem, it’s causing a backup at the facility.

DAS said animals already spayed or neutered, over the age of six and heavier than 30 pounds are all free to adopt.

“We are reaching out to the community to help us find homes for the many deserving animals waiting to be adopted,” said DAS Director Ed Jamison. “Even if people can’t adopt, we’re asking them to encourage their friends who are looking to add a pet to their family to come visit us. We have more dogs coming in every day and need the support of animal lovers, rescues, and all citizens.”

DAS said about 200 animals are ready to adopt right now, with more available for pre-adoption. Nearly 3,000 animals arrived at DAS within the last month.


The department thrust into the national spotlight last year after the mauling death of Antoinette Brown. For a brief period, Dallas police officers had to focus on parts of South Dallas plagued with a loose dog problem.

Jamison says his staff is building on that momentum with help from additional staffing.

“We have three ops teams that are simply going out to the hot spot areas of the city,” he explained. “So with all that, our intake is up nearly 30 percent from last year.”

It translates into 1,400 dogs being rounded up from city streets in one month alone. But what comes off the streets ends up in the city shelter.

Jamison says they can't get the dogs adopted out quick enough, leading to the free adoptions.

The adoption fees are being waved at the main DAS facility and the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center.

For more information: dallasanimalservices.org