Fort Worth Animal Care & Control (FWACC) made positive progress in saving animal lives this year. The live release rate, which measures the percentage of animals leaving the shelter alive through adoption, transport, rescue or return-to-owner, has climbed steadily in Fiscal Year 2025, reaching 85.47%. That’s a notable increase compared to 79.77% the year before.

You can really see the difference when looking at the numbers side by side. In February 2024, FWACC recorded a live release rate of 79.66%. Just one year later, that same month in 2025 reached an impressive 88.05%. Simply put, more pets are finding homes, getting reunited with their families, or being transferred to rescue partners instead of staying in the shelter.

This success is the result of teamwork across every level of FWACC, from kennel technicians providing daily care, to staff and volunteers running innovative programs that connect animals with families.

The improvement is especially meaningful given the high number of animals coming through the doors. On average, FWACC takes in 38 dogs each day, a mix of stray animals brought in by field officers and pets surrendered by owners. Even with this heavy demand, the team remains committed to saving more lives.

FWACC’s success also comes from thinking outside the box and launching programs that tackle challenges head-on, including:

Chip Spot at Winslow’s Café: A community station where residents can scan lost pets for microchips onsite, speeding up the reunion process without needing a trip to the shelter or vet.

P.A.W.S. for Patriots: A program pairing shelter animals with veterans, creating healing bonds and meaningful experiences for both.

P.A.W.S. and Think: An educational program in local schools, teaching students about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spay/neuter, while giving them hands-on interaction with puppies.

Each of these programs helps reduce the homeless animal population while giving pets a better chance at safe and loving homes.

While challenges remain, the progress shown in live release rates is a testament to the dedication of FWACC staff, volunteers, community members and animal welfare partners.

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