Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is hoping that the public’s recent interest in two local dogs will help out the hundreds of other animals waiting for homes.
While adoptions are free at DAS, the good it will do is priceless.
This is best demonstrated by the stories of Toast and Max, who recently made headlines. Thanks to the crucial support of animal shelters, local authorities, and the public, the two pups will soon have new homes.
Toast became the talk of the town when she was rescued by Dallas police officers as she was scavenging for food near a dumpster on February 20, as The Dallas Express reported. During her intake at DAS, many began to wonder whether Toast was actually a coyote.
Jacqui Sutherland, the wildlife specialist at DAS, took care of Toast and ran DNA tests to settle the matter. It was recently confirmed that Toast is a cross between a German Shepherd, a Siberian Husky, and an Australian Cattle Dog.
Now that Toast is adoptable via DAS, multiple people have signed up to adopt her and a new home will be chosen soon.
Another story that recently tugged on the heartstrings of Dallasites was that of Max.
The young German Shepherd was abandoned on March 8 in the 9000 block of Teagarden Road near Dowdy Ferry Road, as The Dallas Express reported.
Video footage captured at the scene showed a man leaving Max on the side of the road and driving away. Loyal to the end, Max tried to run after him.
The suspect was eventually identified as Ramiro Zuniga and he was charged with cruelty to animals. The 41-year-old is currently detained in Dallas County Jail. His bond has been set at $4,000 but frozen while federal authorities investigate his immigration status.
DAS plans to care for Max while his former owner is being investigated, but will transfer him to a local rescue afterward.
According to a DAS post on social media, the number of public inquiries they got about Max suggests that he will have plenty of homes to choose from.
Despite the public interest in Toast and Max, hundreds of other animals — dogs, cats, even guinea pigs — worthy of attention and love are still waiting at DAS.
The shelter has dozens of German Shepherds, Pitbulls, and Great Pyrenees available for adoption, including puppies and adult dogs.
“We have so many great dogs, hundreds of dogs available, to foster or adopt,” Karla Alvarado of DAS said, per WFAA. “Just come check us out whenever you can.”
DAS has a high availability of several dog breeds, including but not limited to German Shepherds, Pitbulls, and Great Pyrenees.
The shelter also allows you to take a pet home on a trial basis through its foster-to-adopt option. Other incentives are also on offer, such as a voucher for a free vet exam and a free week of virtual dog training with the GoodPup app.
Your future furry friend is waiting for you at 1818 North Westmoreland Road.