Operation Kindness
| Founded | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Type | non-profit s. 501(c)(3) charity |
| Focus | No kill animal sheltering |
| Location | |
Area served | Dallas, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas |
Key people | Jim Hanophy, CEO[1] |
Revenue | $4.95 million in 2013[2] |
| Website | http://www.operationkindness.org/ |
Operation Kindness is a no kill animal shelter for domestic cats and dogs located in Carrollton, Texas. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and describes itself as the oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Its income is derived from donations from individuals and businesses, adoptions, fundraising events, and the sale of pet-related merchandise.
History
Operation Kindness was founded in 1976 as an alternative to shelters that euthanized or destroyed unwanted and stray animals after a period of time if homes could not be found for them.[3] Its first twelve years were spent in a small building in Garland, Texas.[3] In 1998, the building was no longer available, and a larger shelter reopened in Carrollton, Texas.[3] An even larger shelter, measuring 10,000 square feet or 929 square meters, was completed in 1999.[3]
In 2005, a new Spay/Neuter Surgery and Treatment Center began operation.[3]
Mission and vision
The mission of Operation Kindness is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior.[4] The organization's vision is a world where all cats and dogs reside in loving, responsible, forever homes.[4]
Programs
Adoptions
Operation Kindness cares for approximately 300 animals on a day-to-day basis, with another 100 animals in foster homes.[4] More than 3,000 dogs and cats are adopted from Operation Kindness each year.[4] In 2013, a record 3,704 animals were adopted, totalling over 75,000 animals since the shelter's opening.[5]
Adoption is promoted by campaigns such as a Black Friday special for animals with black coloured fur.[6]
In 2014, the organization held its fifth annual reunion picnic for dogs and cats adopted from the shelter, with about 200 people participating with their "furry companions."[7]
Pets for Vets
Operation Kindness participates in Pets for Vets, as its North Texas chapter.[8][9] In this program, animals are matched with returning soldiers, and trained for basic obedience and any other needs that the veteran may have.[8] Veterans accepted into the program receive their trained companion animal at no cost, along with all initial needed supplies.[8]
Awards
The Dallas Observer noted that Operation Kindness received the following awards:[10]
- Best Cat Sanctuary - 2011
- Best Place to Get a Pet - 2004 and 2001
See also
- Animal welfare
- Animal rights
- Cruelty to animals
- Overpopulation (animals)
- No-kill shelter
References
- ↑ "Operation Kindness hires Jim Hanophy as CEO", Danielle Abril, Dallas Business Journal, July 29, 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "History of OK", Operation Kindness, accessed Nov. 17, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "About", Operation Kindness, accessed Nov. 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Operation Kindness Breaks Animal Adoption Record", Alannah Connealy, Addison: The Magazine of the North Dallas Corridor, Feb. 10, 2014.
- ↑ "Operation Kindness Offers Black Friday Special: $20 Off Black Pets", Advocate Lakewood/East Dallas, Nov. 28, 2014.
- ↑ "Animal Alumni Gather To Celebrate Adoption From Operation Kindness", Madeline Schmitt, CBSDFW.com, May 17, 2014.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Pets for Vets", Operation Kindness, accessed Nov. 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Pets for Vets - North Texas Chapter", Pets for Vets, accessed Nov. 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Operation Kindness", Dallas Observer, accessed Nov. 17, 2014.