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Fort Worth Animal Care & Control is dedicated to helping every animal find a loving home. Our Animal Transport Program reduces euthanasia rates by safely relocating shelter animals to areas with higher demand, giving them a better chance at adoption. Through partnerships with in-state and out-of-state rescue organizations, we have transported thousands of animals to safe permanent homes. To qualify for transport each animal must live in a foster home in Fort Worth for at least two weeks.
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FWACC Transport Animal Program
Since expanding our program in 2017, FWACC has transported over 6,400 animals to loving homes across the U.S., dramatically increasing our reach and saving more lives.
Our Animal Transport Program utilizes both ground and air methods to move animals to their new homes. For ground transport, we partner with nonprofit organizations that transport animals via bus to their destination shelters. For air transport, we work with Dog Is My Copilot and Wings of Rescue to safely fly animals to their new communities.
How Do Animals Qualify for Transport?
- Tagging by a Rescue Partner
The process begins when a rescue organization identifies a shelter pet that has the potential to be adopted. When the rescue selects an animal, it is “tagged,” meaning they commit to finding a permanent home for that animal in their community.
- Foster Care for Adaptation
Once tagged, the animal is placed into a foster home for at least two weeks. This important period allows the rescue team to learn more about the animal’s behavior and temperament while providing the pet with the opportunity to adjust to life outside the shelter. During this time, if not already done, the animal is typically spayed or neutered. Fostering also provides a safe, quarantine space for pets, reducing the risk of spreading illness to other animals at the shelter or during transport.
On the scheduled transport day, the foster family returns the animal to the shelter for a final checkup. Each animal is thoroughly examined, fed and prepared for their journey — whether by bus, plane or another form of transport. Our goal is to ensure the animals are ready for a smooth and safe trip to their new home.
- Adoption Success After Transport
Once transported, animals typically find their forever homes quickly — most are adopted within a week of arriving at their destination. This success is due in large part to the rescue organizations’ efforts in promoting the animals to communities that have a higher demand for pets.
The Role of Foster Families and Volunteers
FWACC relies on dedicated foster families and volunteers to care for animals between the time they are selected for transport and their departure date. Fostering is a short-term commitment that makes a big impact — helping animals qualify for transport while freeing up space at the shelter for others in need.
Why Some Transport Animals Aren’t Available for Local Adoption
Once an animal is tagged by a rescue organization, our staff and volunteers work to network that animal for a temporary foster home. Local adoption opportunities are often limited because the rescue is already working to place the pet in their own community. In many cases, a family has already been identified to adopt the animal once it reaches its destination, which is why local adoption may no longer be an option.
ADOPTABLE PETS
For more information and to become a FWACC foster, reach out to us via email today!
Apply to Become a Rescue Transport Partner Here.