Dallas Pets

Chad

This is Chad! He's a very friendly, happy pup who is looking for love here at the SPCA of Texas. He's a 5-year-old Australian Shepherd with a handsome, soft white and tan fur coat. He is only 25 pounds, so he's a medium-sized boy who will do well in a house with a fenced-in yard, or an apartment, as long as he gets plenty of exercise. You wouldn't know it if you met him now, but Chad has had a pretty rough start in life, and he's overcome lots of obstacles in his short 5 years. He was rescued from inhumane conditions by the SPCA of Texas on Oct. 21, 2011, and he has been waiting for his loving home for several months now. Chad lived in some really terrible and unsanitary conditions, where he was kept in a crate for days at a time without food or water. Fortunately, the rescue and investigations team rescued him and more than 100 of his friends. Several of his buddies have been adopted, and he is one of the last to be waiting for his forever loving home. Chad needs an experienced pet family who understands his special circumstances and is dedicated to continuing his training using hand signals. You see, Chad is deaf, and he has been learning sign language during his stay here at the SPCA of Texas. He already knows how to "sit," and he also walks very nicely on the leash. He's a curious boy who is interested in other dogs, so if you have other pets, please bring them to visit Chad before taking him home, to ensure everyone gets along. He's a wonderful boy who will make a lifelong companion. He hopes you come see him soon! Chad is a V.I.P. (Very Important Pet) because he's been waiting for his new, loving family for more than 30 days. His special adoption price is $50! #14342883
 

Minx Photos courtesy of the SPCA.

Meow, purrr! Meet Minx, a beautiful, 6-year-old Domestic Shorthair kitty with a velvety, soft fur coat. She has gorgeous colors in her tortoiseshell-patterned fur coat, and she loves to be petted and showered with love. She may come across as a little shy and reserved at first, because she's still getting used to her surroundings here at the SPCA of Texas. You see, Minx is used to being an indoor kitty and living in a peaceful home with her family, so she's still acclimating to her new environment. As soon as you adopt Minx, she'll feel right at home and come out of her shell. She's looking for a nice, laidback family where she can be the only kitty in the home. She's an easygoing, mellow girl who loves to sunbathe, groom her beautiful fur coat, and take daily catnaps. She must get her beauty sleep, you know! Minx is 10 pounds of love, and she's already litter-trained, so all she needs now is her loyal family to keep her forever. Come visit Minx today, and let her charm her way into your heart. #4678329
 
Chad and Minx are waiting for you at the SPCA of Texas Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas at 2400 Lone Star Drive near I-30 and Hampton Rd. Hours are noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Regular adoption fees are $95-125 for puppies 0-6 months, $75-95 for adult dogs 6 months or older, $50 for senior dogs 7 years or older, $50 for VIP dogs, $95 for kittens, $75 for adult cats, $50 for senior cats 7 years and older and $50 for VIP cats. Fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, initial heartworm preventative for dogs, a feline leukemia test for cats 4 months and older, a microchip, a rabies tag and a free leash or cat carrier. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org.
 
McKinney Pets

Corbin

Meet Corbin, a happy-go-lucky, young Catahoula Leopard Dog and Labrador Retriever mix. This 1-year-old, handsome boy has a beautiful brindled coat that looks like caramel and chocolate swirls. This lovable boy has made friends with everyone here at the SPCA of Texas, including some four-legged friends. Corbin loves to play, especially with other dogs. If you have an active pup at home who is looking for a companion, Corbin is the perfect pet for you! He loves the great outdoors and fun activities like hiking, swimming and, of course, a good game of fetch. Corbin is currently working on learning his commands, walking nicely on a leash, and housetraining, and his teachers say he’s an A+ student! He has a very fun, upbeat outlook on life. Corbin has never met a stranger, and he is a very loyal pup who is eager to please. If you are looking for a charming, silly playmate who loves belly rubs and giving kisses, then Corbin is your guy! Corbin is also a V.I.P. (Very Important Pet) because he's been waiting for his new, loving family for more than 30 days. He has a special adoption price of $50!  # 14145609
 

Georgia Photos courtesy of the SPCA.

This lovely lady is Georgia, a classy kitty with a beautiful black and white fur coat. Georgia is a 1-year-old Domestic Shorthair kitty with a mellow, laidback personality. She is still young, so she definitely has her playful moments, but ultimately she will be the perfect kitty to be your lap warmer. She is also very conversational and loves to chat over morning coffee. Georgia is 9 pounds of kitty love, so she is the perfect size to fit in an apartment or a house. She is already litter-trained and, of course, is current on all vaccinations, is microchipped and has been spayed. We don't know if Georgia has ever lived with other pets or kids, so please bring the whole family to meet Georgia before taking her home. Georgia is also a V.I.P. (Very Important Pet) because she's been waiting for her new, loving family for more than 30 days. She has a special adoption price of $50! #14372679

Corbin and Georgia are waiting for you at the SPCA of Texas Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney at 8411 Stacy Road. Hours are noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Regular adoption fees are $95-125 for puppies 0-6 months, $75-95 for adult dogs 6 months or older, $50 for senior dogs 7 years or older, $50 for VIP dogs, $95 for kittens, $75 for adult cats, $50 for senior cats 7 years and older and $50 for VIP cats. Fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, initial heartworm preventative for dogs, a feline leukemia test for cats 4 months and older, a microchip, a rabies tag and a free leash or cat carrier. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org.
 
Pet Tip
While Valentine's Day may be the perfect holiday to tell your loved ones, "I love you" with flowers and candy, Whiskers and Max would rather have toys and extra playtime with you. The SPCA of Texas reminds pet owners that chocolate is dangerous for their four-legged family members, and there are other ways to show pets how much you love them.

Be sure all Valentine's Day candy and treats are out of reach of your pets, as even a small amount of chocolate can be deadly. Only one-half ounce of semi-sweet or baking chocolate can be fatal in small dogs and cats, two to three ounces for medium dogs and eight ounces for large dogs. Milk chocolate is not as toxic as semi-sweet chocolate, but even a small amount can make pets very ill.

Instead of sharing your chocolate, share your love in one of the following ways:
• Purchase new toys and safe treats for your pets.
• Spend more time playing and cuddling with them and enjoying each other’s company.
• Exercise, take walks, and socialize your pets by taking them to pet-friendly restaurants and patios.
• Make sure your pets are spayed or neutered and are current on all vaccinations. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) to make an appointment today.

Signs of chocolate toxicity in pets include excitability, irritability, increased heart rate, restlessness, increased urination, vomiting and muscular tremors or tenseness. The severity of the response depends on the size of the animal, the amount and kind of chocolate eaten and when it was eaten. If you suspect chocolate poisoning, contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.

The SPCA of Texas wishes you and your pets a safe, happy, love-filled Valentine's Day.

About the author: Lacy Ball is a communications specialist with the SPCA of Texas. She is based in Dallas.