SPCA of Texas

The SPCA of Texas was founded in 1938 and is one of the oldest humane societies in Texas. The organization operates two main adoption campuses in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex: the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in West Dallas (the operational headquarters) and the Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney, north of Dallas.

It is independent — not affiliated with Dallas Animal Services (the municipal shelter) or with the national ASPCA. The SPCA of Texas is a Dallas-area nonprofit with its own board and operational decisions.

How they work

SPCA of Texas adoptions begin online or in person at either campus. The application is short, the interview is conversational, and meet-and-greets happen for animals that look like a fit.

Adoption fees vary by animal and time of year. Fees include spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipping, and a starter pack.

The shelter operates as no-kill in current practice. Animals are not euthanized for space, time, or treatable conditions.

Beyond standard adoptions, the organization runs:

• Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit — SPCA of Texas investigators have authority to investigate cruelty cases across Texas. The unit handles thousands of cases annually, including some of the largest organized rescue operations in Texas history.
• A full-service veterinary medical center at both campuses, providing affordable care to adopted animals and broader community access.
• The Mary Spencer Russell Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic offering high-volume low-cost services.
• Pet retention programs including food assistance, behavior consultation, and resource referrals.
• Foster networks spanning both campuses.
• Behavior and training programs for animals requiring rehabilitation.
• Humane education programs in DFW-area schools.

The DFW context

The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has one of the largest animal welfare landscapes of any American region — driven by population, sprawl, climate, and a long history of inconsistent municipal capacity across the patchwork of small cities and counties that make up the broader metro. The SPCA of Texas has been one of the central nonprofit organizations serving that landscape for over eight decades.

The cruelty investigation arm is worth a specific note. Texas state animal cruelty law has historically been less robust than in some other states, and the enforcement landscape has relied heavily on humane society investigative arms to fill gaps. The SPCA of Texas has been involved in some of the largest organized rescue operations in Texas history, including coordinated rescues of hundreds of animals from puppy mills, hoarding situations, and large-scale cruelty cases.

The Jan Rees-Jones Center in West Dallas — opened in 2009 as a purpose-built, architect-designed facility — is one of the more impressive shelter buildings in the country and a recognizable piece of the West Dallas urban landscape.

You can support the SPCA of Texas in the standard ways:

• Adopt from either the Dallas or McKinney campus.
• Foster — the foster network is one of the largest in Texas.
• Volunteer — dog walking, cat socializing, medical clinic support, cruelty investigation support, event work.
• Donate — the SPCA of Texas publishes detailed financials annually.

Field & Era at the SPCA of Texas

The Lone Star Drive coordinates appear in Companion Edition orders shipped throughout the DFW metroplex and across Texas. If you adopted from the SPCA of Texas and want the address set on archival paper, see the Companion Edition. 10% of every Companion order supports a rescue partner.

Last verified May 29, 2026. Facts about hours, intake policies, and adoption fees can change. Confirm with SPCA of Texas directly before visiting.