Every holiday season, more than 300 cats, dogs, and other small furry creatures leave NorthPark Center for loving homes via the SPCA of Texas.
The group’s Home for the Holidays Adoption Pavilion is a beloved tradition that has run for 29 years and counting. Located between Victoria’s Secret and Starbucks Coffee on Level One, it’s open daily from noon to 6PM through December 23.
“People who came with their families as children to adopt their new best friends are now bringing their own families out to adopt their new best friends,” said Victoria Albrecht, marketing director at the SPCA of Texas. “It’s so wonderful to see and hear stories of people coming back.”
About 20 animals are adopted daily at the popup facility, and every day a new batch arrives in search of people who will love and care for them.
On Black Friday, there was so much interest that the kennels emptied within two hours, and the nonprofit delivered another round of creatures that also found forever homes, Albrecht noted.
In all, more than 10,000 animals have been adopted over the years at NorthPark, including guinea pigs, and hamsters.
NorthPark also supports the SPCA of Texas by hosting an annual fundraiser, the Bark + Build Luxury Dog House and Cat Condo Design/Build Competition. Twenty-four creative pet shelters were auctioned off on December 8.
“We’re very grateful for NorthPark to allow us to display Bark + Build and the adoption pavilion during the busiest time of the year,” Albrecht said.
The animals offered for adoption at NorthPark are selected for temperament—they must be able to hang out in a busy, crowded environment without getting stressed or frazzled, she noted.
Adoption fees are $150 for puppies and kittens aged 0-6 months and $75 for adult dogs and cats aged 6 months and older.
The fees include spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, a test for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus (FIV/FeLV) for cats 6 months and older, initial flea/tick and heartworm preventative treatment, a microchip, 30 days of PetHealth Insurance, a 14-day wellness exam with VCA Animal Hospitals, a rabies tag, and a temporary leash or cat carrier.
If you love animals but aren’t able to adopt, the SPCA of Texas has lots of opportunities for volunteers to interact with creatures, including fostering a pet for any length of time that suits your schedule. To learn more about Home for the Holidays, visit spcaholidays.com. Information about fostering can be found at spca.org.