Lifeline for Pets & Their People
Nonprofit of the Month
For the past two decades, pet owners and animal lovers across Denton County have been blessed by a guardian angel in the form of Denton Animal Support Foundation. Established in 2006, this local nonprofit operates relatively behind the scenes to support and change the lives of animals in need. Working directly with City of Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center and other local nonprofits, DASF not only strives to find loving homes for rescued dogs and cats but also seeks to support existing pet owners struggling to care for their pets.
“There’s not one organization that is going to solve all the animal welfare problems we have out there,” said DASF CEO, Dena Guyette. “It’s really through partnerships with each other, working to create a bigger benefit basis for the community.”
DASF is not a shelter, but instead focuses on raising funds (donations are tax deductible) and finding resources to enhance the shelter’s capabilities. This partnership exemplifies cooperation, not just from charitable donations, but from a community committed to fostering a brighter future for our four-legged friends.
Perhaps their greatest achievement was the organization’s first capital campaign, which raised over $2.3 million to create Denton’s current animal shelter. Since then, they shifted their focus to fund other needs for the shelter, including x-ray machines, medical supplies, and specialized care, enabling the shelter’s team to offer better medical treatment and expedite the healing of animals in their care.
Building Bridges for Pet Owners
DASF embodies a dual commitment, one to support the financial needs of the shelter and the other to keep animals out of the shelter altogether. To accomplish these goals, DASF seeks to empower pet owners throughout the area. By serving as an information hub, they address questions ranging from responsible pet ownership to locating local pet services. “Resources for Pet Owners” on their website is a treasure trove of essential support for residents, helping to mitigate the risk of pets being surrendered due to a lack of knowledge about help.
Over the years, DASF has established a number of community programs to assist pet owners. Among them include a free vaccination program and spay and neuter services, which reduces the number of stray animals in the community. They also partnered with Denton Freedom House, setting up a pet pantry allowing struggling pet owners to find food for their pets. Currently, over 1,200 pets in Denton County receive food support, a vital deterrent to abandoning animals.
Mission of Unity and Compassion
DASF thrives on the idea that when community members come together, it creates a ripple effect of goodwill that benefits the lives of local animals. To that end, they actively seek other nonprofits, including Argyle’s Humane Tomorrow, which hosted a vaccine clinic last October and is running a collaborative spay and neuter program this month. Another is Operation Kindness in Carrollton, which is planning a food distribution drive in March.
In December, Dallas Pets Alive Group approached DASF and coordinated their “Pets Are Family, Too” program, which was held at the North Texas Fairgrounds in Denton. The event drew over 360 cars, serviced over 700 animals, and gave away over 11,000 pounds of food. To date, DASF has supported over 51,000 animals and facilitated over 11,000 adoptions, a testament to their impressive outreach.
How You Can Make a Difference
After being named the organization’s CEO in January 2025, Dena sees an even brighter future. She points out that although they have over 65,000 followers online, the organization is still relatively unknown to many in the community. This presents an opportunity to gather new supporters and build new partnerships.
If you want to help, consider joining their Paw Patron program, which encourages local businesses and residents to become monthly donors to provide steady funding, enabling DASF to deploy additional projects going forward. You can also volunteer to foster a rescue animal, providing a safe space until a permanent home can be found for the animal. Finally, spread the word on social media. Creating awareness remains one of the most underestimated assets to their arsenal.
“When a community comes together, we can save lives and keep pets where they belong – at home,” Dena said.
By supporting this DASF together, we can provide every animal in our community a chance to thrive and to find the loving home they deserve.
For more information, visit DentonASF.com.
