Operation Kindness merger with Friends of Dallas Animal Services pledges continued, restricted funding and expanded support for DAS

Operation Kindness and Friends of Dallas Animal Services told the Dallas Animal Services Commission that a recent operational merger is intended to expand fundraising and program support for the City of Dallas while keeping donor dollars for Dallas Animal Services restricted.

Wendy Reiner, co-founder of Friends of Dallas Animal Services, said Friends was founded in 2019 to bridge gaps between the city budget and lifesaving programs. "We maintain a separate bank account, and funds raised by friends at DAS are used exclusively to support the shelter and not for general operating expenses at Operation Kindness," Reiner said.

Meredith Jones, chief of staff at Operation Kindness, said the nonprofit provides a broad set of services targeted to Dallas, including adoptions, veterinary forensics, interstate transport, public spay/neuter and vaccine clinics, a pet food pantry and community resources. She told the commission that Operation Kindness—committed about $3.7 million in fiscal year 2024 to the city and just over $5…