Friends, family, and citizens of Waco! We need shares and signatures! 

The City of Waco has NOT renewed the partnership with the Humane Society of Central Texas. Let’s break it down. The city owns the property of the shelter and all of the animals in the shelter. The city handles the process of intakes and initial vet care. The city also sets the prices for adoptions, surrender fees, etc. The city DOES NOT handle the actual adoptions or fostering of animals, but that is where the importance of the Humane Society comes in. The Humane Society has been a partner of the city and they are the liaison for the community. The Humane Society is crucial to rescue networking, adoptions, foster programs, community education, volunteer coordination, assistance in pet care for those who are struggling through rough times, and providing a chance for behaviorally-challenged dogs to have their second chance at life. The Humane Society plays a crucial role in making sure animals leave the shelter alive.

Why do we care that they have not renewed this partnership? Without the renewal of the contract, the city would be removing the Humane Society from the equation. The City of Waco would be left to operate the shelter on their own. Without the Humane Society, the rates of EUTHANASIA will INCREASE. Why will this happen? The City of Waco DOES NOT have the staff or the adequate resources to prioritize adoptions or network with rescue partners. The city’s hands are already full and without help. 

The Humane Society is vital to the live exit rate of the dogs that many of us have come to love. If this contract is not renewed, it will be detrimental to the animals and the community that rely on the shelter. We NEED the Humane Society in the city shelter as a partner. How do we make this happen? We advocate and demand that the City of Waco reopens contract negotiations with the Humane Society! 

What can YOU do? How can YOU make an impact? It is simple. Sign this petition. Make your voice heard! Your voice matters! 

Attached below is a template that you can email to your city leaders in addition to signing this petition. It is easy! 

“Dear City of Waco Leaders,

I am adding my voice to the many supporting the Humane Society of Central Texas and their vital work at the Waco Animal Shelter. I ask the City of Waco leadership to reopen negotiations with the Humane Society Board of Directors and negotiate a contract that focuses on animal welfare and secures the Humane Society’s role as a partner at the Waco Animal Shelter.

The Humane Society is the public face of the shelter for good reason: they put the people and pets of Waco and the surrounding area first. They have an extensive rescue partner network and use creative solutions to save animals and maintain Waco’s No-Kill status. Waco continues to grow, which can be both a boon and a burden. This is not the time to force a trusted and proven animal welfare nonprofit to abandon its longtime work at the shelter. The City cannot fill the holes that would be left.

I believe in the Humane Society’s ability to work with City leadership and the community to find long-term solutions for our area’s pets. It will take us all to solve shelter overcrowding and other challenges. The first step is making sure the Humane Society of Central Texas remains at the Waco Animal Shelter and empowered to do their good work.

Thank you,

____________”

Send this to:

wacomayor@wacotx.gov

bradleyf@wacotx.gov

ryanh@wacotx.gov

Ccouncil1@wacotx.gov

Ccouncil2@wacotx.gov

Ccouncil3@wacotx.gov

Ccouncil4@wacotx.gov

Ccouncil5@wacotx.gov

Please make your voices heard and share this if you can! It takes a village to make a difference. The animals of Central Texas are DEPENDENT on this partnership to maintain our no-kill status!

Dogs like Tank Valero, pictured above, would not get the rescue acknowledgement or chance at life without the Humane Society’s partnership.