Petco Love Commits $300,000 Grant to Killeen Animal Shelter

3-year funding will help Killeen AS provide preventative and emergency care for shelter animals

Dog sits waiting for his “furever” home.  Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page.

Petco Love awarded Killeen Animal Services a $300,000 grant to be paid out over three years for use in preventative and emergency care for animals at Killeen Animal Shelter.  

“The grant that we have received will help so many animals here in Killeen,” says Jessica Dunagan, Killeen Animal Services Manager. “We will be able to begin the process of cutting down on unwanted litters, vaccinate animals, and get the help and attention they need for what they may come in for. I don’t believe that there is a more rewarding feeling than knowing you made a difference in the life of an animal and a citizen who needed that companionship.” 

Dunagan says that the money provided by Petco Love will go directly to veterinary care of the animals the shelter intakes, some of which arrive in need of emergency care or slower lifesaving treatments such as treatment for heartworm disease.

“We see all types of emergencies from parvovirus, animals hit by cars, animal cruelty investigations, and so much more,” says Dunagan. “We would like all animals adopted from the shelter to be at their healthiest when they go to their new homes.” 

“[Providing heartworm treatment] has not been an option in the past for the Killeen Animal Shelter and will definitely be something that we look more into and provide the best care that we can in order to make their lives the best that they can be,” Dunagan adds. 

Atlas poses for a photo on the City of Killeen’s Facebook page as the shelter’s adoptable pet of the week in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page.

Petco Love is a nonprofit that invests in local shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations across the nation to improve the lives of pets across the U.S. Locally in Killeen, Petco Love, formerly Petco Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the shelter -- providing grants since 2014. With previous funding from the organization, Killeen Animal Services has been able to provide more than one thousand serialization and rabies vaccination vouchers and enhance the shelter’s sanitation. This new grant will further enhance these previous efforts by allowing more proactive efforts to increase animal health and ultimately adaptability.

 Pheobe poses for a photo on the City of Killeen’s Facebook page as the shelter’s adoptable pet of the week in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page.

“The relationship between Petco Love and Killeen Animal Services is strong,” says  Joe Brown, executive director of Killeen Recreation Services. “What’s really special about this grant investment is that it tangibly assists animals within our community in a very positive way. To be awarded this grant is an absolute win and a game-changer for animals in need in our community.” 

The shelter intakes approximately 5,500 animals on average annually, says Dunagan. She says that it’s no secret around the shelter, that Petco’s contributions coupled with the city’s decision to move animal services under the umbrella of the Recreation Services Department have both been big contributors in helping improve animal welfare at the shelter -- allowing for the edition of improved sanitation by laying concrete in working areas, adding four new play yards, upgrading kennels for pet safety, aquiring larger cat rooms, and upgrading staff equipment to better serve citizens while in the field.

 Skylar and kennel tech Haley pose for a photo outside Killeen Animal Shelter. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page

“Killeen Animal Services has come a long way to making a difference for the lost animals in our City and helping our citizens,” Dunagan says. “Since Animal Services was put under the Recreation Services Department we have gone from an 82% live release rate to 94.2%, in just under two years. Our team has come a long way and we have built a better lifestyle for the animals that enter the shelter so that we can give them the best possible life while here at the shelter. We thank Petco Love for the opportunity they have bestowed upon us and we will do everything in our power to make the lives of these animals better each and every day.”

Since its founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, Petco Love has empowered organizations with nearly $300 million invested to date for adoption and other lifesaving efforts and helped find homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco stores nationwide.

 A small smiling dog waits to be adopted at a KAS adoption event in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page.

“Today Petco Love announces an investment in Killeen Animal Services and hundreds of other organizations as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” says Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love in a statement on April 21st. “Our local investments are only one component. This month, we will also launch the first of our national tools to empower all animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us.”

Killeen Animal Shelter is located at 3118 Commerce Drive and is open for adoptions Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about Killeen Animal Services along with a link to view adoptable animals online is available at killeentexas.gov/animals.