Entering the Keller Humane Society, a cacophony of yaps, growls and whines echo through the halls.

Ross's and Tater-Tot's claws ping against the glass walls, tongues hanging out of their mouths, and longing brown eyes wide-open.

Excitedly bursting out of their kennels at the shelter, the canine brothers seem to enjoy one at their few chances a day to cuddle and play. The duo is also prone to lick any person that comes close enough.

Wiggling his whole body, Ross barks, two sharp rapid fire yaps.

For his part, Tater-Tot stayed quiet.

Several times a days they get to leave the kennel and play in the yard outside.

Like many of the animals at the Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT), Ross and Tater-Tot were found wandering the streets.

Facing the scorching Texas heat and blur of never-ending traffic, many of these animals have already endured a hard road before arriving at the shelter.

HSNT says their goal is to ensure that their next stop is a "forever home."

(Shane Manson/TCU360)

https://bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics/texas

As a no-kill shelter, the HSNT has been successful in rehousing and rehabilitating animals while managing their animal capacity.

Employing a team of specially trained animal-behaviorists, animals with behavioral problems undergo an ongoing course to correct these issues to make them fit for adoption.

62% of shelters in Texas fall short of the minimum 90% save rate to be considered "no-kill." HSNT had a 94.93% save rate in 2023, according to bestfriends.org.

Shelters without the "no-kill" designation, due to the fact that they rarely turn animals away, are sometimes forced to euthanize healthy or well-behaved animals due to lack of space, according to the Animal Humane Society.

"Doggy Day Out"

The “Doggy Day Out” program allows people to take a dog out for the day, giving them time head to the park, go out for a treat or run around in a backyard. The goal is to give the dogs time out of the shelter.

"A lot of times the dogs get overstimulated and they just need a break," Tess Balderas, a social media manager for the HSNT, said. “Everybody needs a vacation once in a while, so this is kind of a day vacation for the dogs.”

(Shane Manson/TCU360)

Want to help?

Balderas said there are many ways to help the animals at HSNT and other shelters, such as adopting, donating food, toys and blankets and volunteering. Their Keller and Fort Worth locations are open to the public weekdays 12 p.m to 6 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The HSNT also works with select local Petco and Petsmart locations in North Texas to help adoption efforts.

A Horned Frog dog

Two years ago, Lily Silvester, a senior psychology major at TCU, packed up her car to drive from Nashville, Tennessee to Hartford, Kentucky to adopt Sadie, a poodle mix from a shelter without the "no-kill" designation.

Sadie's fluffy gray hair and friendly demeanor had Silvester's heart from just the online photos.

“I saw her and I just fell in love with her, and adopting her was probably one of the best decisions I ever made," Silvester said.

Silvester is adamant that Sadie is an integral part of her life. Still, she would advise other college students to make sure they are ready for the responsibility for an animal. Many shelters offer opportunities to foster animals before adopting.

“Fostering is also a really good option just to make sure that you're ready for it, and that the animal fits into your life well," Silvester said.

Once roaming the streets of Hartford, Sadie now spends most of her days snuggled up on Silvester's couch.

“I've never felt alone in the last three years, because she's just always there,” Silvester said. “She gives me more love than I could have ever really imagined”

(Shane Manson/TCU360)