About Us
The Ellis County SPCA opened to the public in August 2004. We are a private non-profit 501(c) (3) organization and are located in Waxahachie, Texas. We are not affiliated with any other SPCA or the ASPCA of New York. Our success depends on the support of donors, volunteers, and animal housing contracts with the City of Ennis and the Ellis County Sheriff's office. Due to the extreme number of animals brought in by animal control, we are unable to be a no kill shelter.
Due to an increase in population in Ellis county, there is also an overpopulation of animals. A group of concerned citizens has formed the Ellis County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (EC-SPCA) in an effort to increase adoptions of these animals, to educate our community about the importance of spaying and neutering, to provide information on proper animal care including kindness towards animals, and to help build a modern animal care center.
The Ellis County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was founded in April 2003 by a group of volunteers from the community who saw the need to:
- Increase adoptions of unwanted animals by offering them a second chance for life in a loving home;
- Foster public sentiment of humanity and gentleness toward animals, and;
- Encourage and promote responsible pet ownership by increasing spay/neuters.
Why we cannot be a "No Kill" Shelter
No Kill shelters limit the type and number of animals that they take in based on their “adoptability” and space available in their facility. Animals that are turned away from these types of shelters must still go somewhere. Every animal shelter must do some euthanasia of animals that are sick, aggressive or hurt. We want to help the MAJORITY and cannot limit ourselves to which homeless animals are brought to us. To help pay for overhead of $250,000 annually and to keep our facility open, we current hold two contracts with the Ellis County Sheriff's office and the City of Ennis. We receive over 400 strays monthly from those contracts alone.
We do not set a maximum amount of time we will keep an animal up for adoption. Decisions about euthanasia are based on the adoptability of the animal and the space available to humanely house the animal at the shelter. Rather than setting a time limit, we strive to ensure that each animal remains healthy and adoptable. If the animal becomes stressed, aggressive, or sick at the shelter, or if space becomes a problem, euthanasia may be considered.
It is estimated that animal shelters care for between 6–8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom 3–4 million are euthanized. There are simply not enough responsible homes for all of these wonderful, innocent animals. At this point in time, it would be impossible to humanely house every unwanted animal in the United States.
HSUS Statement:
The Humane Society of the United States believes that limited-admission animal shelters, commonly called "no kill" shelters, can play a role in helping homeless companion animals find responsible, lifelong homes. However, since these shelters are limited in the number of animals they can accept and care for, we feel strongly that there needs to be an animal shelter whose doors are open to all homeless animals in every community. Too often, stray animals suffer from starvation, disease, poisoning, abuse, injuries from traffic accidents, attacks by wildlife, and severe weather. If not spayed or neutered, they bring more innocent animals into their world of suffering.
The HSUS believes that humane euthanasia of homeless companion animals is preferable to the harsh lives and slow, painful deaths they face when they must fend for themselves outdoors. It is estimated that animal shelters care for between 6–8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom 3–4 million are euthanized. There are simply not enough responsible homes for all of these wonderful, innocent animals. At this point in time, it would be impossible to humanely house every unwanted animal in the United States.
Office Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 9am - 5pm
Adoption Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 12pm - 4pm
Saturday and Sunday: 1pm - 4pm
Surrender of pets by appointment only.
Pet Care Tip: Disaster Planning
Foul weather, fire and other emergencies strike without warning. Have a pet carrier for your companion animals and an emergency pack of food and water available in case you face disaster.
© 2008 Ellis County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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