#18 in United States, #3 in Texas
Silcox Campus: 4900 Martin St, Fort Worth TX 76119 North Animal Campus: 351 Hillshire Dr, Fort Worth TX 76052 PetSmart Alliance: 2901 Texas Sage Trl, Fort Worth, TX 76177 PetSmart Hulen: 4800 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76109
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/code-compliance/animals
Service areas:
Fort Worth and unincorporated Tarrant County
"Regardless of their intake volume, Fort Worth Animal Care and Control does not let that stop them from going above and beyond for every animal in their care. These measures range from placing dogs into foster homes or with rescues, sending animals on transports out of state or even connecting dog owners with appropriate resources to allow them to keep their pet."
— paulette p.
Volunteer / foster, Fan
"Many people think of municipal shelters as being quite grim with a high kill rate, but FWACC goes against every stereotype and works hard to make sure healthy animals all go to good homes. I have adopted my dog from them as well as volunteered with them in the past and the people of FWACC are so dedicated and caring for every animal in their care, partnering with community rescues both within the metroplex and state, and even across the country to transport animals to find home if necessary. Everyone from the front desk staff up to the top are so kind and helpful when you go in. They also do a lot of work to help people get access to vet care and pet food so they may not have to surrender pets due to financial hardship. Overall, just a great civic organization"
— jessica j.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"I adopted my beautiful dog Doodle from FW Animal Shelter and she is the best dog ever! They took such great care of her and I could not ask for a better experience. All of the employees work so hard! It is a tough job and they are miracle workers! Thank you FORT WORTH!!!!"
— holly p.
Adoptee
"I have been an officer for 3 years working for Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Everyone at FWACC shows passion, care, and loads of love when it comes to the animals, citizens and coworkers. I have gotten to witness first hand how the shelter techs connect and bond with each and every animal they work with in their kennels/pods how the animals light up when they see their favorite humans. The CSR's who work the front desk, who always have a smile on their faces and who are always willing to help with providing directions, looking up lost animals and most importantly sending animals out to their new loving homes. The vet techs and the quality of incomparable medical care provided to the animals on a daily basis during foster appointments, intakes, and animals housed at the shelters. The field who educates citizens and provide assistance to injured or distressed animals in need and provide resources to citizens out side of the shelter environment. the outbound team who works extremely hard to find fosters, rescues and transport teams to help get animals out and to new homes in other states. And finally management. The supervisors, superintendents, director, and assistant directors work collectively daily to provide an outstanding work environment for everyone. Working hard to change how the shelter operates for the better. I have seen so much change happen at the shelter and the field just in the past year. All together they are unstoppable, creating relationships with fosters, rescues, and citizens trying to find each and every animal a loving forever home. Some may just call FWACC a shelter, but we're one big family. We work together to make the city a greater place for the animals one step at a time."
— calli r.
Staff member
"Fort Worth Animal Shelter is the best!"
— kimberly t.
Fan
"FWACC is a great place to find a furever friend. I adopted my 13 y/o kitty named George from them. The staff was helpful and supportive"
— susan m.
Adoptee
"As a foster parent, they are always quick to respond to my emails and help me decide which baby would be good in my home. There was a situation where we wanted to foster a senior. They looked him over and honestly said he was to I’ll to foster. They could have said nothing. We’ve adopted twice and both great babies. The Petsmart adoption location makes it easier to view pets without having to go to the shelter."
— ninet c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Our wonderful Anatolian Shepherd Mix, Roscoe has been such a blessing in our lives. Having been adopted once, then getting loose and his first family not wanting him back, the staff at FWAC knew the right fit was out there waiting for him. Lucky us! The adoption center at Petsmart is so great. The staff there love all of the animals that pass through and the volunteers are there to help along the way."
— jim j.
Adoptee, Fan
"I have personally seen the love and care the staff at the shelter show when animals are under their care. They are just superheroes!"
— ana.
Fan
"I have worked at three high volume shelters in Texas and this shelter is by far the best one. FWACC staff goes above and beyond to save lives and make a difference in the community."
— brittany p.
Staff member
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
In our modern, human-centric world, it can be hard to find spaces for your pup to safely play off leash—especially if they’re a flight risk. Dogs who might run off after interesting smells, prey, or simply because they feel the whim can be a hazard in unfenced areas. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best securely fenced dog parks throughout the United States!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.