Denton-Based Texas Coalition for Animal Protection Keeps Dogs/Cats Out of Shelters

Being someone who played animal shelter rather than with dolls as a little girl, Stacy Schumacher feels called to protect dogs and cats from the worst possible scenarios now that she’s an adult. So, after serving as a volunteer for various East Texas animal rescue organizations in the late 1990s, it was fitting she would start a non-profit organization after moving to North Texas. Finding the commute between Denton and Irving a long one for a job in human resources at Verizon, she left corporate America to launch the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection in 2002. It provides low-cost basic wellness care including immunizations and spay and neutering. 

“I definitely saw a need in the North Texas area for something very similar,” said Schumacher. “People love their animals, but there were not a lot of services offered at a low cost.” Since opening her initial location in Denton, she has added seven others – Allen, Arlington, Burleson, Hurst, Fort Worth, Garland, and Weatherford.

“Our mission is to impact euthanasia throughout North Texas animal shelters by providing great services at a fraction of the cost,” she said. “This includes people who can’t afford care at full-service facilities, but you don’t need to undergo a qualification process to come here.” TCAP employs 70 dedicated staff members and utilizes the services of about 25 contract veterinarians. While there are other places in the Metroplex that offer similar services, Schumacher believes TCAP’s customer service makes it stand out from the rest. 

“We recognize in the market that there are many low-cost providers,” she said. “Our mission as a non-profit is a little different in that we are really working to keep the costs very low.” For example, a rabies vaccine at TCAP is only $5, while a complete set of vaccines runs $25. Spays and neuters average $35-$60, depending on the animal and size. It also offers low-cost dental cleanings for cats and dogs less than 10 years old. Most of TCAP’s prices have remained unchanged for nearly 20 years. 

“Our goal is providing a community-based, low-cost service to keep pets out of animal shelters and make owning a pet more affordable,” Schumacher said. “Our goal is not to provide full-service care. It’s not to replace full-service clinics. Our goal is to be a help mate to the full-service clinics so folks can afford basic care, and if their pet has issues that require more care, then we can refer them to a number of friendly full-service clinics based on where folks live.” TCAP’s aim is to keep pets at home and out of shelters by making essential, basic care affordable. It also partners with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to prepare animals for adoption, also at a lower cost.

“This year alone, we will provide more than 70,000 spays and neuters throughout North Texas,” Schumacher said. “We’re very proud of the work that we do. We’re proud not only of the staff, but the contractors we work with. They work every day to make things better for people and pets.” TCA’s Denton clinic provides walk-in vaccines Monday through Thursday mornings and Thursday evenings. Appointments are available throughout the weekdays for spays and neuters and dental cleanings. 

“It would be our pleasure to service people in the Lake Cities,” Schumacher said. “By using us, they definitely are making pet ownership more affordable in the area. We strive hard to provide good customer service. We try to be a well-oiled machine.” On weekends, TCAP hosts walk-in events at off-site shelters or businesses. 

“We were open during Covid with our regular hours and were proud of that because we worked during a time when a lot of veterinary clinics either weren’t open or not accepting new clients,” she said. “Even in the face of crisis, we were working and sustaining our mission. Rain or shine, TCAP is here to help people with their pets in a quality way.” When not working, Schumacher and her husband Scott are parents to a 10-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl, plus three cats and three dogs.