Shelter and Adoption 

Information

Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Location:  1203 O'Neal

Phone: 903/886-1160

Adoption Costs: 

For dogs and cats under 4 months of age - $18.00 which includes distemper.

For dogs and cats over 4 months of age - $35.00 which includes distemper and rabies. 

Prevent A Litter, Inc. (PAL) will give vouchers for low cost spay/neuter and low cost vaccinations to anyone adopting an animal through the Commerce Animal Shelter.

About the Commerce Animal Shelter:

The City of Commerce Animal Shelter is responsible for impounding stray or lost animals, cruelty investigations, dog and cat license sales, enforcing local and state ordinances, operation of the animal shelter, and administering the animal adoption program. The shelter sees approximately 1000 animals pass through the doors each year.  In 2003, construction began on a badly needed new facility. In 2005, the city entered into an agreement with Hunt County, which included a $76,000 expansion of the new facility and the addition of one full-time employee to help care for additional animals.  The Commerce Animal Shelter now maintains an "OPEN DOOR" policy, accepting all domestic animals within the county.

Adopting A Pet:

So, you are thinking about adopting a pet? Sometimes surrendering an animal is unavoidable, yet in most cases, we see that the guardian simply did not think the situation through before choosing a pet. To be sure that you are ready for a pet, take a few minutes to answer the following questions.

• Are you ready to make a commitment to a pet for its entire life?

• Do you know and understand the characteristics of the breed that you want?

• Are you allowed to have a pet where you live?

• Is your yard large enough to accommodate a pet?

• Will other pets in your home get along with a new one?

• Are you financially prepared for the cost of a veterinarian, pet food and pet supplies?

• What about the cost and time for obedience training?
  Can you afford the time it takes to groom a pet? Can you afford a professional groomer, if needed?

• If you go on vacation, who will take care of your pet?

• If you get a puppy, can you put up with chewing, crying, or whining during the teething stage?

• Is it okay if the animal digs in your back yard?

• If you adopt a puppy, do you have the time to house-train it?

• Do you have the patience and discipline to retrain your pet if it has bad habits?

• If you adopt a cat, will you be ready to keep a litter box in your home?

• Can you tolerate a kitten or cat scratching on furniture or carpeting?

• Do you have the patience and discipline to train a cat to scratch on a carpet-covered post?

• Are you willing to keep the cat indoors?

• After a long day at work, do you have the energy it takes to exercise a housebound dog?