Dallas Animal Services leads the nation with record-breaking rise in pet adoptions for 2024
Dallas, Texas – Dallas Animal Services (DAS) has reached a historic milestone, achieving record-breaking pet adoption numbers for 2024, according to the Best Friends Animal Society’s annual national dataset. With a remarkable total of 12,261 pets adopted in 2024, DAS not only topped the charts in Texas but also earned national recognition for the largest year-over-year increase in adoptions across the United States.
This 41% increase compared to 2023 means that 3,580 more animals found loving homes through DAS last year than the year before. These adoptions played a significant role in the national increase in shelter adoptions—DAS alone was responsible for nearly 4% of the nationwide growth.
“We’re incredibly proud of what this team has accomplished,” said Paul Ramon, Director of Dallas Animal Services. “These numbers represent thousands of lives saved and families made whole—and we’re just getting started. With ongoing evaluations and investments in the adoption process and continued support from the city and our community, we expect even more lifesaving impact in 2025.”
Leading the State and the Nation
Among Texas shelters that submitted data, Dallas Animal Services led by a significant margin, completing over 4,000 more adoptions than El Paso, the second-highest city in reported adoption volume. With close collaboration between city officials, volunteers, and residents, DAS has emerged as a model for high-volume adoption success across the country.
The figures were compiled by Best Friends Animal Society, which gathers information from nearly 4,000 shelters nationwide. The organization’s annual dataset provides a comprehensive look at national animal welfare trends, and DAS’s performance stands out as a bright spot in that report.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With continued investment in streamlined adoption services and outreach, Dallas Animal Services plans to build on this momentum and save even more lives in 2025. Residents are encouraged to adopt from DAS or other local shelters and to help spread awareness of the life-changing impact adoption can have—not just on animals, but on families and communities.
By adopting, Dallasites can play a direct role in making 2025 an even greater success for animals in need.
