TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The SPCA of East Texas is warning it could be forced to close if donations don\u2019t increase significantly in the coming weeks. <\/p>\n
Executive Director Emily Heglund said at a news conference Monday, the organization has seen a \u201csignificant decline\u201d in community contributions in 2025, putting pressure on daily operations and the ability to care for animals that depend on the shelter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t see an uptick in contributions in the coming weeks, we run the very real risk of closure and not being able to provide services to the animal welfare community,\u201d Heglund said.<\/p>\n
According to Heglund, the nonprofit is facing a shortfall of at least $100,000 this year.<\/p>\n
Heglund says the shelter has already surpassed last year\u2019s intake numbers, taking in 865 animals in the first 10 months of 2025 compared to 754 animals for all of 2024. Of those animals, 793 have been adopted out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t do more with less,\u201d Hegland said. \u201cWe can\u2019t help people out if we don\u2019t have the support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heglund attributed the funding decline to economic challenges facing donors, along with pet owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think economically, people are very challenged right now,\u201d Hegland said. \u201cThe cost of a lot of different things are up, and so people are making hard decisions about where their funds are going.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organization, which operates as a foster-based rescue rather than a traditional shelter, relies heavily on its 18 staff members and volunteers to care for hundreds of animals annually. Hegland says most calls for help come from private citizens dealing with stray animals or abandoned litters.<\/p>\n
Without adequate funding, Heglund said the organization would have to reduce the number of animals it takes in and possibly cut services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t do more with less,\u201d Heglund said. \u201cWe can\u2019t help people out if we don\u2019t have the support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heglund also emphasized the importance of spaying and neutering pets to help address the root cause of animal overpopulation in East Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of the reason that we are where we are here in East Texas and in the South in general is due to the lack of spay neuter in some communities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The SPCA offers low-cost spay and neuter services through its clinic.<\/p>\n