Operation Kindness

Operation Kindness
Founded 1976
Type 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Focus Animal welfare, no-kill shelter, pet adoption
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 North Texas area. It receives no government funding and derives its income from donations from individuals and businesses, adoptions, fundraising events, and the sale of pet-related merchandise.

Since its founding in 1976 Operation Kindness has saved the lives of nearly 90,000 homeless animals. It serves as the “go to” facility for 45 municipal animal shelters and animal rescue groups who have run out of space or have animals in need of medical services.

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. In 1998, the building was no longer available, and a larger shelter reopened in Carrollton, Texas. An even larger shelter, measuring 10,000 square feet or 929 square meters, was completed in 1999.

In 2005, a new Spay/Neuter Surgery and Treatment Center began operation. In 2017 in its Surgery and Treatment Center, Operation Kindness performed 3,140 spay/neuter surgeries, performed 363 additional surgeries (orthopedic, eyes, Internal) and administered $200,000 of medicine to animals in its care. [4]

During 2017, Operation Kindness managed the successful adoptions of 4,889 dogs and cats. It also provided care for a total of 5,090 animals, serving more than 308,000+ meals to animals in need.[5]

Programs

Adoptions

Almost 5,000 dogs and cats are adopted from Operation Kindness each year.[6] Operation Kindness cares for nearly 1,500 animals each year in the homes of its foster volunteers. [7]

Adoption is promoted by campaigns such as a Black Friday special for animals with black coloured fur.[8]

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."[9]

Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry

In August 2017, the organization launched the Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry , taking over for the North Texas Pet Food Pantry to fulfill the growing needs of the community. The pantry is designed to lower the number of pets surrendered to shelters by providing temporary free cat and dog food to qualified low-income families (approximately 25 percent of the pets surrendered each year are due to economic factors). The pantry also provides free cat litter and flea and tick prevention for up to three months to owners with a clear financial need. In conjunction with the Pet Food Pantry, Operation Kindness also launched the Royal Vaccination Fund to provide low-income families with access to rabies, parvo and distemper vaccinations. [10]

Pets for Vets

Operation Kindness participates in Pets for Vets, as its North Texas chapter.[11][12] In this program, animals are matched with returning soldiers, and trained for basic obedience and any other needs that the veteran may have.[11] Veterans accepted into the program receive their trained companion animal at no cost, along with all initial needed supplies.[11]

Special Needs Animals

Operation Kindness has programs to help find adoptive homes for special needs animals. The Mitzi Medical Fund enables the organization to provide life-saving specialized surgeries including open heart, hip dysplasia and orthopedic, post-operative care and physical therapy so severely injured or sick homeless animals can heal and recover. The Max Fund was established to provide the special training dogs with behavior issues need to get adopted faster, reduce returns, and ensure happy adoptions. [13]

Kindness for Kids

Operation Kindness sponsors its Kindness for Kids Humane Education program to teach children to become the next generation of responsible pet owners, delivering programs at area schools, community recreation centers and on its campus.[14]

Work Paws Playdates

For a donation and on a limited basis, Operation Kindness will take highly socialized puppies, dogs and occasionally kittens to corporate offices and workplaces to provide employees with the stress-reducing wellness benefits of animal-assisted therapy. [15]

News

In December 2017, Operation Kindness was awarded with a $100,000 donation from Reliant Gives, the charitable arm of Reliant Energy. [16]

In November 2017, Operation Kindness Operation Kindness hosted its 25th annual Canines, Cats & Cabernet event to raise funds and awareness for homeless animals. Texas Rangers Manager Jeff Banister and his wife Karen served as honorary co-chairs of the event. [17]

During 2015, Operation Kindness made national headlines when it paired abandoned 5-week-old Chihuahua "Chip" with 4-week-old kitten "Adele" who became instant best friends and were later adopted together. [18] [19]

Awards

The Dallas Observer noted that Operation Kindness received the following awards:[20]

  • Best Cat Sanctuary - 2011
  • Best Place to Get a Pet - 2004 and 2001

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Operation Kindness hires Jim Hanophy as CEO", Danielle Abril, Dallas Business Journal, July 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Operation Kindness", Charity Navigator, accessed November 17, 2014.
  3. ↑ Our Story
  4. ↑ Our Story
  5. ↑ Our Story
  6. ↑ Our Story
  7. ↑ Foster Program
  8. ↑ "Operation Kindness Offers Black Friday Special: $20 Off Black Pets", Advocate Lakewood/East Dallas, November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Animal Alumni Gather To Celebrate Adoption From Operation Kindness", Madeline Schmitt, CBSDFW.com, May 17, 2014.
  10. ↑ Sellers, Audrey (August 18, 2017). Operation Kindness Launches Pet Food Pantry to Help Feed North Texas Pets. Southlake Style.
  11. 1 2 3 "Pets for Vets", Operation Kindness, accessed November 17, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Pets for Vets - North Texas Chapter", Pets for Vets, accessed November 17, 2014.
  13. ↑ Special Needs Animals
  14. ↑ "Kindness for Kids"
  15. ↑ Work Paws Playdates
  16. ↑ Santiago, Maria (December 7, 2017). Operation Kindness Welcomes Holiday Season with $100,000 Donation. NBCDFW.com
  17. ↑ Staff. Operation Kindness Presents Canines, Cats & Cabernet. CultureMap.
  18. ↑ Main, Sami (March 26, 2015). Abandoned Kitten And Puppy Become Best Friends Despite All Odds. Buzzfeed.
  19. ↑ Boone, John (March 26, 2015). An Abandoned Puppy and a Stray Kitten Became Best Friends for Life. ET
  20. ↑ "Operation Kindness", Dallas Observer, accessed November 17, 2014.
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