The Shelter Scoop
Stories from our community
The latest news, lifesaving stories, and updates from Palm Valley Animal Society, with our full story archive.
News & stories
36 stories
Jan 30, 2026
A Legacy of Love, Responsibility, and Lasting Impact
Some programs begin with data. Others begin with love.The Gloria Gene Moore Spay & Neuter Initiative was born from gratitude, shaped by lived experience, and grounded in a simple truth: when…
Read storyNov 7, 2025
Addressing Pet Overpopulation in the Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, TEXAS (November 7, 2025) — Palm Valley Animal Society has announced the launch of its first-ever public low-cost spay and neuter clinic. This initiative marks a significant step toward…
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Aug 8, 2025
Roughly 54 Dogs Taken in From Hoarding Case—As Trenton Shelter Nears Closure
Palm Valley Animal Society has taken in approximately 54 dogs from a recent hoarding case—at the same time we are preparing to close our Trenton shelter location.Taking in this many animals at once…
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Aug 4, 2025
How to Foster Cats: Step-by-Step Guide
Fostering cats is a rewarding experience that helps save lives and prepares cats for their forever homes. Whether you are new to fostering or considering it for the first time, understanding the…
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May 30, 2025
It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Trenton.
Edinburg, TX — Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) is calling on the community for urgent support as it begins the final chapter of its long-standing Trenton shelter. With the closure of the aging…
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May 3, 2025
After 700 Days in the Shelter, Maror & Matzo Finally Found Their Forever Home
Some adoptions happen fast — within days or weeks.Others take time. A lot of time.For Maror and Matzo, two inseparable dogs who arrived at Palm Valley Animal Society in March 2023, the journey to…
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Mar 31, 2025
April Events
Hello, Lifesavers! April is blooming with fantastic ways for you to support the Palm Valley Animal Society and help animals in need. Let's make April amazing together!🍔 Eat & Support 🍽️Just dine out…
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Mar 13, 2025
Get Ready to Run, Walk, and Wag at the PVAS Give A’Bark Color Splash 5K!
🌈🐾 A Colorful Run for a Cause – Register Today!Are you ready for a fun-filled, pet-friendly event that will leave you covered in color and full of joy? The Give A’Bark Color Splash Walk/Run is back,…
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Jul 29, 2024
The Importance of Microchipping Pets
A recent news story captured our community's hearts: a dog from Houston, lost and separated from its owner, was found in the Rio Grande Valley and was able to reunite with its family, all thanks to…
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Jul 12, 2024
Commentary: Animal welfare inspires passion, need for communication
By Barbara Guerra, Board President.Having been involved with Palm Valley Animal Society for almost 20 of its 50 years, I have had a unique vantage point from which to see the organization in both its…
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Jun 25, 2024
Another Hoarding Case
By Suzette Cruz, Executive DirectorPalm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) is tackling another hoarding case. This incident marks the fourth such case in under three months, highlighting the increasing…
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Jun 19, 2024
Commentary: Only PVAS could handle recent large animal hoarding cases
By Keely Lewis, PVAS Board SecretaryOn March 30, McAllen police stopped by a nondescript house in north McAllen to investigate a report of a serious stench. Turns out it was live dogs, living in…
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Apr 3, 2024
Community United
At the end of March, a startling discovery in McAllen, TX, unveiled a scene that would mobilize an entire community and redefine the essence of compassion and resilience. Palm Valley Animal Society…
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Dec 19, 2023
Behind the Kennel Bars: The Journey of our Longest-Stay Residents
In the shelter corridors of Palm Valley Animal Society, there exists a group of extraordinary dogs—often unseen and overlooked, residing in our care for over a year, some enduring the shelter…
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Dec 1, 2023
Bringing Holiday Hope: Palm Valley Animal Society Partners with BISSELL Pet Foundation
The season of giving has arrived, and Palm Valley Animal Society is delighted to announce its partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation for the "Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope" adoption event!…
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Nov 28, 2023
Pies for Paws: A Sweet Challenge with a Serious Message
In the heart of the compassionate efforts at Palm Valley Animal Society, a unique initiative has taken shape— the Pie Challenge. Spearheaded by our dedicated Director of Operations, Faith Wright,…
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Nov 8, 2023
Romeo and Buddy: A Tale of Triumph and Transformation
In 2022, a family's life took an unexpected turn when their son, Romeo, was diagnosed with autism at just shy of 3 years old. Romeo was nonverbal, which presented challenges, as his inability to…
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Oct 19, 2023
Join the PVAS Community: Exciting New Event Pages on Instagram and Facebook!
At Palm Valley Animal Society, our commitment to creating a world where every pet has a loving home extends beyond our shelter walls. We aim to transform our community into a safer and more humane…
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Oct 13, 2023
PVAS Returns to X: Unleashing a New Era of Connection and Community!
We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you! After a brief hiatus from Twitter, now X, we're excited to announce our return to the platform, ready to reconnect with our incredible community…
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Sep 3, 2021
Adopt Willow!
Coming to us in early July after what looks like a run-in with a car, Willow needed an amputation. After surgery, Willow spent the first several days in our care hanging out in our Executive…
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Aug 11, 2021
Pets of the Week (August 9-15)
Meet Queen Geneva! She is a laid-back girl looking for a peaceful home to live happily ever after. Honestly, she would be the perfect couch potato if you are looking for someone you can relax with…
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Jul 9, 2021
The Power of Partnership
We may not have a spare inch of space in our shelter, but our hearts are still beating to the lifesaving drum because we have amazing rescue partners!Benito came into our shelter paralyzed and in…
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Jul 1, 2021
Pets of the Week June 27 - July 4
Meet Itaso and Bev ITASO HAS BEEN WAITING FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS!Meet one-year-old shepherd mix Itaso! He can be a bit shy at first, but once he’s comfortable he loves to chase balls and run around…
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Jun 23, 2021
Pets of the Week June 20-26
Two-year-old Prue has been with us since early March this year. She is a spunky girl just ready to have fun. Once she has her eye on the treats she never loses her focus. If you are looking for a…
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Sep 18, 2020
The Bumpy Road to No-Kill
by Keely LewisBoard PresidentPalm Valley Animal Society received the Transformational Change Award from Best Friends Animal Society for having the highest increase in lifesaving progress for dogs and…
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Sep 11, 2020
Best Friends Awards PVAS for Transformational Lifesaving Change
From being “that kill shelter on Trenton” with a “save-rate” of only 23% in 2016 to achieving a 92% save-rate year-to-date, PVAS has undergone immense changes in the past three years. In the past,…
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Sep 11, 2020
Kitten season is still going strong in the RGV
Many communities are seeing kitten intakes decline at this time of year but here in the RGV, there doesn't appear to be any slowing down. Due to our warm fall, the kitten breeding season is much…
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Jan 25, 2020
Petco Foundation’s Commitment is Saving Animal Lives in the Valley
Petco Foundation awarded a $1,000,000 grant to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) in 2018, and that gift has made all the difference.There’s no way to overstate the lifesaving value of Petco…
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Jan 10, 2020
Strategies + Impact: Progress in 2019
PVAS saw real progress in our journey to no-kill in 2019, saving 7,251 more animals than in 2018.*Working with our lifesaving partners and the communities we serve Palm Valley Animal Society…
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Aug 6, 2019
#Thanks to Maddie
Maddie’s® Shelter Embed Project in the Rio Grande Valley On July 1, 2019, plans for a no-kill valley region became a substantial, long-term commitment: Best Friends Animal Society is investing at…
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Jun 19, 2019
The Old Days
Every now and then, some of the employees at Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC) talk about the “old days.” Those who lived through the reality of an 11%, 20%, or 30% save rate at a shelter taking in…
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May 16, 2019
Saving Cats
The current reality for felines at Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC) is more positive than it has ever been. The future for the cats in the entire Rio Grande Valley is about to become brighter than…
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Apr 12, 2019
Always Forward: Claire's Story
People face adversity and tragedy in different ways. Some retreat from the world. Some lash out at the world. Others like Kraig, refuse to be conquered. Kraig served our country as a member of our…
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Mar 23, 2019
Jeter
Pupils dilate in the dark to search for light. At Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC), our hearts and souls expand in a search for good. Like a sudden burst of light to the eyes, when a miracle happens…
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Mar 20, 2019
We Can Do It
Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC) seems to have every possible odd stacked against it. Our facility is ancient and our budget is microscopic relative to the number of animals we receive annually.…
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Feb 22, 2019
A Moment in Time
What is animal welfare? What does it mean to work in animal welfare? What does it mean to work at Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC)? How do you explain it all? At family gatherings an uncle, a…
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