Dallas Cat Lady
About Dallas Cat Lady
Dallas Cat Lady is built around a simple, very useful idea: if a cat needs a home, or a person needs help keeping one, there should be a place to turn. In Dallas, that means foster-based adoptions, trap-neuter-return support, and practical help with food, litter, and veterinary care for elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged pet owners. In FY 2024, the organization adopted 996 cats and kittens, cared for 1,362, and helped 1,520 more through trap-neuter-return work.
What sets Dallas Cat Lady apart is how much it covers without losing sight of the basics. It helps cats move into homes, helps cats stay in neighborhoods through trap-neuter-return, and helps people keep their pets with food, supplies, and vet support. It is also entirely volunteer staffed.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Cat and kitten adoption
Finds homes for cats and kittens through foster-based, appointment-based adoptions and display locations at Petco stores in the Dallas area.
Trap-neuter-return
Assists local citizens with trapping, transporting, spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and returning cats to their homes to help reduce overpopulation.
Foster care
Places adoptable cats and kittens in foster homes until they are spayed or neutered and ready for adoption.
Low-cost spay-neuter assistance
Provides low-cost spay and neuter assistance and guidance on trap-neuter-return for people who want to help cats in their neighborhoods.
Pet food and basic care assistance
Provides basic pet care, supplies, food, litter, vaccines, transport, and help with pet deposits for elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged pet owners.
Veterinary assistance for pets in need
Helps with routine and urgent veterinary care, including specialty care such as orthopedic surgery, dental care, wound care, soft tissue surgery, and eye surgery.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Reduce homeless pet population through adoption, trap-neuter-return, and providing assistance to elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged citizens to keep their pets in their homes.
Who they serve
Homeless cats and kittens in the Dallas area, plus elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged citizens who need help keeping their pets in their homes.
Their impact
- Adopted 996 cats and kittens into new homes in FY 2024.
- Cared for 1,362 cats and kittens in FY 2024.
- Assisted in trap-neuter-return for 1,520 cats and kittens.
- Provided food and litter support to 51 citizens.
- Helped 20 additional citizens with veterinary expenses.
- Placed over 10,000 cats into forever homes since 2006.
- Conducted TNR efforts on over 500 cats annually.
How your donation helps
- Spay and neuter surgery
- Vaccinations and microchips
- Parasite testing and treatment
- Basic health testing before adoption
- Specialty veterinary care, including orthopedic, dental, wound, soft tissue, and eye surgery
- Food and litter for foster cats and kittens
- Basic cat supplies for pet owners
- Pet deposits and transport to veterinary clinics
Our story
Dallas Cat Lady began in 2006 with a straightforward goal, help as many cats and kittens as possible in the Dallas area. Leigh Sessler had been rescuing cats since she was a young girl, and that lifelong work grew into the organization.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Dallas Cat Lady’s services.
Adoptions are by appointment only. People interested in a cat or kitten can use the Adoptable Kitties page and the Ready to Adopt or full description links to contact the organization. People seeking foster, trap-neuter-return guidance, or other help can email DallasCatLadyInfo@gmail.com.
In their words
We, the Dallas Cat Lady Board Members, volunteers and loyal supporters are thrilled and excited to learn that Dallas Cat Lady has been awarded the Petco Lifesaving Grant for 2021-2022, in the amount of $40,000.00.
Events
The Concert for Kindness
one-timeA fundraiser at Moody Performance Hall that benefits local area animal rescue groups including Dallas Cat Lady.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Dallas Cat Lady has shared.
Current needs
- Foster homes
- Scoopable cat litter
- Clay cat litter
- Canned cat food
- Dry cat food
- Kitten milk replacement
- Cat toys
- Cat beds
- Small and medium carriers
- Pillowcases
- Towels
- Clorox Wipes
- Paper towels
- Large black trash bags
- Tall kitchen trash bags
- Bleach
- Wire dog crates
- Transport van
Volunteer opportunities
- Provide foster homes for cats and kittens
- Cage cleaning
- Data entry
- Transport cats to veterinary clinics
- Transport cats and sometimes their owners to partner clinics
- Saturday litter storage help
- Help with trapping and transporting cats for trap-neuter-return
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Petco Love grant of $40,000 in 2021
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does the adoption process work?
Adoptions are by appointment only. People interested in adopting can start with the Adoptable Kitties page, then reach out through the Ready to Adopt or full description link.
How can someone help with trap-neuter-return?
Dallas Cat Lady offers guidance on trap-neuter-return and helps with trapping, transporting cats to veterinary clinics, and returning them home after surgery.
What kinds of supplies are most useful?
Helpful items include cat litter, cat food, kitten milk replacement, cat toys, cat beds, carriers, towels, paper goods, bleach, wire crates, and a transport van.
Who receives basic pet care assistance?
The organization provides food, litter, vaccines, pet deposits, and veterinary help for elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged citizens who need support keeping their pets in their homes.
Similar nonprofits
Other animal protection & welfare nonprofits in TX.