From Crisis to Compassion: Houston PetSet’s Vision for Ending Pet Homelessness

Collaborative Solutions and Bold Initiatives to Build a Humane Future for Houston’s Animals and Beyond

Introduction

Houston faces one of the most severe pet homelessness crises in the nation. Stray animals crowd shelters and roam neighborhoods, creating challenges that extend beyond animal welfare to public health and safety. In this interview, Tena Faust, Co-President of Houston PetSet, shares how her organization is driving transformative change through collaboration, education, and legislation to ensure a brighter future for Houston’s pets and people.

Houston faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to animal welfare: underfunded municipal programs, insufficient spay/neuter initiatives, and a staggering number of stray animals on its streets. Under Tena’s leadership, Houston PetSet has become a lifeline for both animals and their owners in need. Whether providing free spay/neuter services, vaccinations, or emergency medical care, the organization’s initiatives reflect a deep commitment to solving the root causes of animal homelessness.

In this interview, Tena shares her perspective on Houston's homeless pet crisis and how Houston PetSet is paving the way toward a more compassionate future for pets and people alike.

“Once you witness the suffering of animals in Houston—and across the South—it’s impossible to unsee.” - Tena Faust Photo credit Hall Puckett

Interview

General Overview of the Crisis

Animal Politics: How would you describe the current state of Houston's homeless pet crisis? What are the primary factors driving the high number of homeless animals in the city?

Tena Faust: Animal shelters globally are facing unprecedented challenges as rising numbers of homeless pets strain their capacity and resources. This crisis impacts not only animal welfare but also shelter staff and communities. In Houston, the situation is particularly dire due to chronic underfunding and inadequate spay/neuter programs. Based on over 20 years in animal welfare, we believe the problem is worse than ever, despite the tireless efforts of shelters and nonprofits.

In the Houston area, partnering shelters operate at 150–200% capacity, creating devastating consequences for animals and the community. Houston is one of the most underfunded U.S. cities for animal welfare, spending significantly less per capita than cities like Dallas and San Antonio. Local rescue groups spend approximately $119 million annually on animal welfare, yet city and county governments allocate just $20 million combined—a disparity reflecting decades of neglect.

The crisis is driven by several factors:

1. Lack of Spay/Neuter Awareness: Many pet owners underestimate how unaltered pets fuel overpopulation. Without widespread education, progress remains limited.

2. Declining Adoptions: Dog adoptions dropped from 1.3 million in 2019 to 900,000 in 2020 and have plateaued since. Economic pressures make pet ownership less feasible for many families.

3. Managed Intake Policies: Restricting shelter intake leaves tens of thousands of animals on the streets, where they face hunger, disease, and unchecked breeding. In a city with hundreds of thousands of stray dogs, open-intake policies are vital to reducing suffering and curbing population growth.

Houston’s stray dog crisis underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms, including expanded spay/neuter funding, public education campaigns, and open-intake shelter policies. Without these measures, the suffering will only escalate—for both animals and the community.

Animal Politics: How has the crisis evolved over the years, and what changes have you seen in terms of pet population, shelter capacity, and public awareness?

Tena Faust: Overcrowding in animal shelters has reached critical levels and continues to worsen. By 2023, 6.5 million animals entered shelters nationwide, and over 6 million found adoptive homes, a testament to ongoing efforts, though more work remains to ensure every animal gets a second chance. This imbalance leaves many pets languishing in shelters for weeks, months, or even years. Tragically, approximately 920,000 dogs and cats are euthanized annually across the country, with Texas consistently leading as the No. 1 state for animal shelter deaths.

On a brighter note, public awareness of the crisis has grown significantly among Houstonians in recent years. More people are stepping forward to help, spurred by high-profile advocates like Lance McCullers Jr. and increased support from Houston's new mayor. Longstanding organizations such as Houston PetSet, CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection), Houston Humane Society, the SPCA, and others have worked tirelessly to promote rescue and adoption efforts. Their dedication has been instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing resources to combat this ongoing crisis.

Managed Intake Policies

Animal Politics: Managed intake policies aim to control shelter overcrowding by limiting the number of animals accepted. In a city like Houston, where stray populations are so high, do you believe this approach helps or hinders efforts to address pet homelessness?

Tena Faust: Managed intake has been devastating for Houston’s stray animals. While it may boost live release rates within shelters, it abandons tens of thousands of dogs to the streets, where they continue to breed unchecked. These dogs face unimaginable suffering—they fall victim to cruelty, are struck by cars, endure starvation, or succumb to painful diseases. Prioritizing shelter metrics over animal welfare creates a dangerous precedent for both animals and the community.

No-kill policies relying on managed intake should be more accurately termed "slow-kill" policies, as many dogs and cats left on the streets ultimately die slow, agonizing deaths.

Houston PetSet’s Role and Initiatives

Animal Politics: What role does Houston PetSet play in coordinating efforts among local shelters, rescue organizations, and the community to address the pet homelessness crisis?

Tena Faust: The causes of animal homelessness are entirely preventable. Houston PetSet works with community leaders, legislators, and advocates to create long-term solutions for the animal overpopulation crisis. Our approach emphasizes humane, compassionate care through free spay and neuter programs, empowering pet owners with resources to care for their animals, and expanding capacity within rescue, foster, and adoption networks.

In 2014, we realized that simply removing stray animals from the streets would not solve the root problem—without changing how people think about and care for their pets, the issue would persist. Where education is not enough, legislation becomes necessary. This led us to partner with the Texas Humane Legislation Network to champion stronger animal welfare laws at the state level. Among our proudest achievements is supporting THLN’s groundbreaking Safe Outdoor Dogs Act.

Collaboration is also a cornerstone of our work. To date, Houston PetSet has granted nearly $5 million to animal nonprofits in the Houston area. Additionally, we frame this crisis as both a public health and safety issue, driving home the importance of systemic solutions.

Animal Politics: Can you speak about any successful programs or partnerships that have had a significant impact on reducing homeless pet numbers in Houston?

Tena Faust: Collaboration with community partners and shelters has been key to addressing Houston's homeless pet crisis. One notable example is our partnership with the River Oaks District, which generously donated a storefront to Houston PetSet for four months. This space enabled us to host adoption events with local rescue partners, introducing rescue animals to a new audience of potential adopters. By fostering community engagement, we’ve created more opportunities to connect pets with loving homes.

Another major success is our spay/neuter program, which started nearly five years ago thanks to a donated mobile unit from Fido Fixers. Since then, we’ve performed over 15,000 spay and neuter surgeries in Houston. This initiative directly tackles the root cause of pet overpopulation and has made a measurable impact in reducing the number of homeless animals across our city.

Euthanasia Policy Changes

Animal Politics: Harris County Pets recently reduced the length of time dogs can stay at the shelter before being euthanized from 30 days to 15 days. How do you think this policy impacts efforts to manage shelter overcrowding and save more lives?

Tena Faust: This decision has sparked understandable controversy. No one wants to euthanize animals—everyone in this field is driven by a passion for saving and protecting them. However, shelters in Houston are overwhelmed. With hundreds of thousands of stray animals on the streets and relentless requests for help, shelters are forced to take drastic measures to create space for new intakes. Unfortunately, reducing the length of stay is one of those measures.

Ultimately, shelters aren’t to blame for this crisis—the root of the problem lies with pet owners who neglect their responsibility to properly care for their animals. What we need are open intake policies, ensuring that when pet owners can no longer care for their pets, there is a safe place for those animals to go. Without open intake, the crisis will only deepen.

Policy and Legislation

Animal Politics: Have any recent policy or legislative changes in Houston have helped or hindered progress in addressing the homeless pet issue?

Tena Faust: Thanks to our strong partnership with the city, we’ve been able to provide thousands of free spay and neuter surgeries each year, directly addressing the root cause of pet overpopulation. We’re optimistic about securing additional funding to expand these programs even further.

Houston PetSet has also collaborated closely with the mayor and counties across the region on key initiatives, such as the State of Animal Welfare event, which has drawn critical attention to the crisis of animal homelessness. Among our significant achievements was helping pass the Texas Humane Legislative Network’s Safe Outdoor Dogs Act in 2023. This law mandates that dog owners provide adequate shelter, food, and water for their pets—a vital step forward, as many dogs had previously suffered or died due to exposure to extreme heat or cold without proper shelter.

Additionally, we supported the passage of a city ordinance requiring all pet stores to source animals from humane organizations, such as shelters or rescue groups. This ordinance has drastically reduced the influx of puppy mill dogs into Houston. While some stores, like Petland, have relocated outside city limits to avoid compliance, this legislation represents a critical shift toward promoting humane practices and prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding.

Role of National Animal Welfare Organizations

Animal Politics: National organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and ASPCA often play a role in shaping local animal welfare efforts. How do you see their involvement in Houston—are they helping address the crisis, or could their efforts be better aligned with local needs?

Tena Faust: Best Friends has been active in Houston for a few years, but we haven’t seen a significant shift in the animal crisis here. Their goal of making the U.S. no-kill by 2025 has actually been detrimental to Houston. Leaving dogs and cats on the streets to breed and suffer is not the answer. What we need are common-sense solutions such as spaying and neutering, diversion programs, and stricter penalties for dumping animals. Additionally, we need to stop the flow of puppy mill dogs into Texas.

The ASPCA, on the other hand, has been more helpful. After spending time on the streets of Houston to understand the crisis firsthand, they awarded us a $50,000 grant to support spay/neuter efforts. They came, they listened, and they provided funding for a real solution. This is exactly the kind of support we need in Houston—practical, targeted action that addresses the root causes of pet homelessness.

Animal Politics: What is your stance on programs like TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats, and do you believe such approaches could be expanded to address the larger homeless pet problem?

Tena Faust: In general, we support TNR for cats as long as handlers follow established guidelines. It offers a humane and potentially effective solution for managing feral and outdoor cat populations. By sterilizing and returning cats to their colonies, TNR can help stabilize and gradually reduce their numbers over time, which is particularly important in urban areas like Houston.

However, we do not support TNR for dogs, as promoted by some organizations and consultants. Unlike cats, dogs are more dependent on human care and interaction for their well-being, making them less suited to living independently in the community. Additionally, the dynamics of stray dog populations differ significantly from those of feral cats, requiring alternative strategies to address their needs.

While TNR is not a universal solution to the broader homeless pet crisis, it plays a critical role in managing specific populations—particularly community cats. Expanding such programs with proper oversight and resources could help mitigate the challenges posed by unowned cat populations while allowing shelters to focus resources on adoptable animals.

Addressing Root Causes in Underserved Communities

Animal Politics: Stray animals are often concentrated in underserved neighborhoods where residents face financial hardships. How can we better support these communities through education, resources, or targeted programs to address pet overpopulation at its source?

Tena Faust: We strongly believe in supporting people who love their pets but may lack the resources to care for them. To that end, Houston PetSet has provided more than $500,000 in funding for emergency veterinary services, food, dog houses, vaccines, microchips, and other wellness initiatives. It’s far more cost-effective to help keep pets in loving homes than to process them through the shelter system.

That said, we also support thorough screening at shelters and adoption events. Potential adopters need to understand that pets require time, training, exercise, wellness care, and regular veterinary attention. By combining direct assistance with education about responsible pet ownership, we can address the root causes of pet homelessness while supporting underserved communities.

Community Engagement

Animal Politics: How can the general public help address the homeless pet crisis? Are there specific volunteer opportunities, donation drives, or community-based initiatives that Houston residents can get involved in?

Tena Faust: The crisis of overcrowding in animal shelters is not something shelter staff and volunteers can solve alone—it requires the active involvement of the broader community. There are several ways individuals can make a meaningful impact:

1. Adopt a Pet: By choosing adoption over purchasing from breeders or pet stores, people can give homeless animals a second chance at life while reducing shelter overcrowding.

2. Support Local Shelters and Organizations: Donations, whether monetary or in-kind, are vital to sustaining shelters and rescue groups. Organizations like Houston PetSet rely on community support to fund programs that remove animals from the streets and address root causes like overpopulation.

3. Spread Awareness: Educating others about responsible pet ownership, including spaying/neutering pets and adopting rather than shopping, is critical to long-term change.

Additionally, Houston residents can partner with organizations like ours that are implementing best practices to combat this crisis. For example, Houston PetSet funds spay/neuter programs, community outreach events, and other initiatives aimed at reducing animal homelessness. To support our work, individuals can visit houstonpetset.org to donate or learn more about how they can help.

Animal Politics: What more needs to be done to raise awareness and build public support for solving the homeless pet issue in Houston?

Tena Faust: Pet owners and the general public play a crucial role in addressing the homeless pet crisis. Encouraging more people to adopt from shelters and participate in fostering programs is essential to alleviating overcrowding. Shelters can also continue to host special adoption events, offer incentives, and collaborate with local businesses to increase visibility and engagement.

Additionally, partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and even national groups can amplify efforts. For example, initiatives like pop-up adoption events at high-traffic locations or collaborations with businesses for sponsorships can help bring the issue to new audiences. Public education campaigns focused on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spaying and neutering, are another critical component of building long-term support.

Ultimately, solving this crisis requires a collective effort. By working together—through adoption, fostering, volunteering, donating, and spreading awareness—we can create a more compassionate community for both pets and people.

Long-term Solutions

Animal Politics: What do you think are the most effective long-term strategies for preventing pet homelessness in Houston, and how do we move toward a no-kill city?

Tena Faust: The homeless pet crisis in Houston is a multifaceted issue requiring innovative, collaborative solutions. At Houston PetSet, we address this challenge by fostering partnerships among shelters, legislators, community leaders, and thought leaders. Our goal is to fund and implement best practices through a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy.

Key components of our approach include:

• Spay/Neuter Programs: Expanding access to affordable or free sterilization services to address the root cause of overpopulation.

• Public Education and Outreach: Raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of adoption over purchasing pets.

• Fostering and Adoption Promotion: Encouraging community members to foster or adopt pets to alleviate shelter overcrowding.

• Legislative Advocacy: Supporting laws and ordinances that promote humane treatment of animals and prevent practices like puppy mills.

• Infrastructure Improvements: Enhancing shelter capacity and resources to better manage high volumes of rescues.

Achieving and sustaining a no-kill status requires a collective effort from all stakeholders—shelters, government agencies, nonprofits, and the public. By working together on these initiatives, we can create systemic change and ensure that every adoptable animal has a chance at life.

Animal Politics: Looking ahead, what role do you envision Houston PetSet playing in the future of animal welfare in the city?

Tena Faust: Houston PetSet is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of animal welfare in Houston, particularly through expanding access to affordable spay and neuter services. Starting in November 2024, with funding from the City of Houston, we will offer spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and microchips for just $20. This initiative aims to break down the financial barriers that often prevent pet owners in underserved communities from accessing essential services, directly addressing one of the root causes of pet overpopulation.

Through this program, we plan to spay and neuter approximately 14,400 cats and dogs over the next three years. This is part of a broader, citywide strategy to reduce the number of homeless animals. By making these services more accessible and promoting responsible pet ownership, we hope to prevent the birth of unwanted litters, alleviate the burden on shelters, and ultimately reduce the number of animals entering the system.

This initiative is just one example of how Houston PetSet is committed to long-term, sustainable solutions. As a key partner in the fight against animal homelessness, we are dedicated to ensuring that Houston becomes a more humane and compassionate city for animals.

Personal Reflection

Animal Politics: As someone deeply involved in this issue, what drives your passion for addressing pet homelessness, and what keeps you motivated in the face of such a challenging issue?

Tena Faust: Once you witness the suffering of animals in Houston—and across the South—it’s impossible to unsee. My sister Tama and I come from a family of problem solvers, so when I first encountered the stray animal crisis in Houston, I started out like anyone else—working alongside shelters and rescue groups. Over time, this involvement evolved into a leadership role, but the learning process never stops. Every day brings new challenges and new lessons.

What keeps me going is the profound love I’ve experienced from animals—particularly dogs and cats. When you witness these loyal, loving creatures struggling to survive on the streets or enduring neglect and abuse, it becomes impossible to turn away. They don’t have voices—they rely on us to advocate for them. As a society, we domesticated them, and it’s our moral obligation to care for them, both individually and as a community. That belief fuels every initiative we lead at Houston PetSet, and it’s what inspires me to keep fighting for a better future for every pet in need.

Animal Politics: Thank you, Tena, for taking the time to share your insights with us today. Your dedication to addressing pet homelessness in Houston is truly inspiring. The work that you and Houston PetSet are doing to make a difference in the lives of animals and the community is commendable. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of your efforts in the years to come.

Tena Faust: Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this important issue. We couldn’t do this work without the support of our community, partners, and all the compassionate individuals who stand with us. Together, we can make Houston a more humane city for animals.

Animal Politics: For more information about the transformative work the Houston PetSet is doing reach out to: Houston PetSet.

Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments, and a former Board Director of the National Animal Control Association. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.