ATTENTION:
April 25, 2025 – The North Animal Campus is now open for limited visits, and you can schedule adoption appointments online. Please note that animal intakes are still suspended as we recover from the recent Canine Distemper Virus outbreak. For info on reporting a stray animal, click here(PDF, 70KB).
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Compassionate Animal Intake
At the heart of our mission is the well-being of our four-legged friends. If you're a Fort Worth resident in need of support for animal intake, you're in the right place — we're here to help! If your pet was adopted from our facilities within the last 30 days, we're happy to assist, regardless of your location. For residents of unincorporated Tarrant County, please direct surrender inquiries to the Sheriff's office for the most accurate guidance.
Surrenders
Can’t keep your pet?
Initiate the process to surrender your pet to Fort Worth Animal Care & Control at the dropdown menu below.
Our partner Spay Neuter Network’s Pet Support & Resource Center will reach out to you via email with resources and applicable next steps.
Start the surrender process
If you're still unable to keep your pet or rehome them directly, please make an owner-surrender appointment to begin the surrender process with Fort Worth Animal Care & Control.
PLEASE NOTE: Pet surrenders are currently by appointment only.
If this is an emergency or if you have additional questions, please email us at FWACCINTAKE@fortworthtexas.gov.
How to start the surrender process:
Please fill out THIS FORM to start the process to surrender your pet to Fort Worth Animal Care & Control.
Our partner Spay Neuter Network’s Pet Support & Resource Center will reach out to you via email with resources and applicable next steps.
NOTE: Surrender appointments are currently being scheduled two to three weeks out. We will accommodate any emergencies as best we can. If you feel you or your pet’s health or safety is at risk, please call 817-392-1234.
IMPORTANT: We are only able to accept owner surrenders from City of Fort Worth residents with a valid photo identification with a Fort Worth address, or if you have adopted a pet from us within the last 30 days.
If this is a pet you have found within the last 72 hours, there is no need to fill out this form. Please visit our Lost and Found page for further assistance.
I want to keep my pet, but I need help!
We're here for you. Check out our Pet Resource Guide HERE(PDF, 313KB) and additional community resources in the dropdown menu below:
Find additional resources
Pet Support & Resource Center with Spay Neuter Network
Need support to keep your pet? Fill out THIS FORM and Spay Neuter Network’s Pet Support & Resource Center will reach out with more resources!
3-3-3 Guide to New Pets
Going to a new environment can overwhelm many pets, and that's completely normal. Click HERE for information about what to expect from your new furry family member in the next three days, weeks and months.
Home-to-Home
Home-to-Home is an online platform that allows residents to proactively rehome their pets when keeping them is no longer an option.
SPCA Rehome List
The SPCA of Texas with Adopt-A-Pet.com can help you safely find a loving home for your pet with their Rehome List web resource.
HSNT Rehome
Click HERE for information on rehoming or surrendering your pet through the Humane Society of North Texas.
North Animal Campus – Limited Opening Begins This Weekend
April 25, 2025 - Fort Worth Animal Care & Control is pleased to announce the phased reopening of the North Animal Campus, starting this weekend. This limited opening is part of our effort to protect animal health as we recover from a recent distemper outbreak, reduce the risk of euthanasia due to space constraints, and help more pets find loving homes.
What You Need to Know:
- Adoptions are primarily available by appointment only. Appointments for the North Animal Campus can be scheduled here. (Appointments for the Silcox Center can be made here.)
- Walk-ins may be accommodated based on staffing and availability.
- Only Pods A & B are open to the public; all other areas remain closed for health safety.
- Shoe covers are required in all animal areas (these will be provided on-site).
Available Pets:
A limited number of dogs are available for adoption and foster. These dogs:
- Are fully vaccinated for their age
- Have tested negative for distemper twice
Visitors can meet up to 3 pre-identified dogs per visit, with staff-supervised meet-and-greets in sanitized spaces.
For the safety of all animals, we kindly ask that if you are currently fostering a transport animal, please do not foster additional animals at this time. This precaution helps prevent the potential spread of illness between pets.
Interested in Another Animal?
You can place a “pending adoption” hold on other animals not yet cleared for adoption. We’ll notify you once they’re ready to go home.
We appreciate the community’s patience and continued support as we work toward fully reopening our shelter doors. Thank you for helping us give these animals a second chance!
FWACC reopens Silcox Adoption Center to the public
April 15, 2025 – Fort Worth Animal Care & Control is excited to announce the reopening of the Chuck and Brenda Silcox Adoption Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The center will once again welcome visitors for pet adoptions, foster opportunities, volunteer activities, and more.
Following the Canine Distemper Virus outbreak in late March, FWACC staff have worked diligently to safeguard the health of both shelter animals and the community. As we reopen, several new safety measures will be in place to ensure a safe and smooth experience for everyone.
What to Expect When Visiting:
Adoptions by Appointment:
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Without an appointment, visitors may be asked to wait until a staff member is available. Schedule an appointment here.
Limited Animal Contact:
To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, visitors will be limited to meeting no more than three pets per visit. Sick animals remain in isolation, and these precautions help protect the rest of our shelter pets.
Deferred Adoptions Still Available:
If a pet has not yet been spayed or neutered, adopters may still take the pet home through a deferred adoption. The surgery will be scheduled for a later date.
Adoption Eligibility:
To be eligible for adoption, animals must meet the following criteria:
- Received all required vaccinations, including boosters
- Show no symptoms of upper respiratory infection (URI)
- Tested negative for Distemper via PCR (for animals in care prior to April 14, 2025)
Volunteers Welcome Back:
Volunteers may now return to the Silcox Center after completing a brief updated safety training.
North Campus Update:
FWACC continues to assess the situation daily and will provide updates regarding the reopening of the North Animal Campus.
We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work to protect the well-being of our animals. Thank you for helping us give these pets the second chance they deserve.
Together, let's ensure a bright future for all our beloved pets.
We encourage all pet owners to provide proof of current vaccinations when surrendering their pets to the City of Fort Worth. For more information, please contact the shelter at 817-392-1234.
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control encourages residents to explore rehoming options through their personal networks of friends and family before considering surrendering their pets to our shelters.