With more than 1,500 animals entering Kerr County Animal Services in 2024, Kerrville Pets Alive! plays a critical role in supporting the shelter’s mission to improve the lives of these homeless pets. KPA!’s efforts to facilitate owner reclaims, promote rescues and adoptions, and provide resources like medical care and microchips are essential to reducing the strain on KCAS and increasing the number of animals saved.
Through this vital partnership, KPA! and KCAS work together to enhance animal welfare in Kerr County, ensuring that more pets can find loving homes.
The challenges faced by Kerr County Animal Services are complex and multifaceted, from its law enforcement responsibilities to its limited resources and space constraints. However, Kerrville Pets Alive! plays a pivotal role in mitigating these challenges by providing essential resources.
Together, KPA! and KCAS can save more lives, reduce the risk of euthanasia and build a stronger, more supportive animal welfare system in Kerr County.
In 2023, only 61 cats and dogs were euthanized. This is a fraction of the numbers seen 10 years ago, which was more than 1,000. 2024 saw higher euthanasia numbers due to a contagious community cat illness, economic challenges for pet owners and population growth
“KCAS keeps us informed by providing monthly intake and disposition reports for the animals in county custody. We can’t always intervene in some cases due to the legal nature, however, we do everything we can to get adoptable pets out alive,” a KPA! Spokesperson said.
The Kerrville Pets Alive! board of directors convenes in January for its annual retreat.
The purpose of the gathering is to recommit to the mission to save Kerr County pets from euthanasia, evaluate current programs, create a recipe for success and budget to support their goals.
“Every year, we review the performance of our programs and how we can do better. We are always improving our services to meet the needs of the animal control shelter and area pet owners. Our work is expensive. We rely on donations from the public, grants and our Fur Ball event
to support our work. We can only do what we have the funds to do, and that looks different every year,” the spokesperson said.
KPA! is an all-volunteer animal welfare charity.
Make a tax-deductible donation at Kerrville
petsalive.org or by mail to 317 Sidney Baker S., Ste. 400, PMB 345, Kerrville, TX 78028.
Those interested in fostering or volunteering
with KPA! should fill out applications on the website.
In 2024, Kerrville Pets Alive!:
• Impacted more than 1,500 cats and dogs impounded at Kerr County Animal Services.
• Provided safe haven to more than 300 cats and dogs at the KPA! Safe House.
• Provided more than 400 free microchips to Kerr County pets.
• Funded spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines for 531 cats and dogs impounded at KCAS.
• Funded $42,000 in medical expenses for cats and dogs impounded at KCAS.
• Distributed 6,656 pounds of pet food to pet owners in need.
• Funded low-cost spay and neuter of 194 community pets.
• Funded low-cost vaccines for 333 community pets.
• Sponsored the adoption fees for more than 100 pets adopted from KCAS.
• Utilized area veterinary practices for more than $165,000.
• Assisted 135 Kerr County pet owners with pet medical services.
Karen Guerriero serves as president of the KPA! Board.
