It's time for fun and games!

As the saying goes: "Life is more fun when you play games." Make no mistake, Maxwell is always ready to play. He's a happy young dog who's attracted to any game you have in mind. He'll run the gamut from playing fetch to walking with you around your neighborhood. After all, he's only 11 months old, so Maxwell is still a puppy in many ways. He's already such a smart young boy that he's probably trying to keep his mind as sharp as possible. If you're ready for a lifetime of fun and games - not to mention love - Maxwell is the dog for you! He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of June 16, 2014.

Get 9 lives for $9

Star may have the natural beauty of a Hollywood movie idol. But she certainly doesn't have that personality. She's a quiet, unassuming kitty who may be a little timid when she first meets you. She may not act like it at first, but she craves your loving touch. She'll be happy to sit patiently for hours while you stroke her soft fur. And you'll want to spend that much time with her, because it's easy to find yourself addicted to her gorgeous eyes. And the time to adopt is now! Our 9 Lives for $9 sale runs from June 14-22. Adopt any kitty 9 months old or older - like Star - for only $9. That's only a dollar per life! Star is your Adoptable Pet for the week of June 9, 2014.

A real gem

Here's a gorgeous dog who's much more than a Diamond in the rough. In fact, Diamond is approaching perfect! She's the perfect size for a family dog, because she fits right in with any activity you choose. She has the perfect temperament, because she's always happy. And she has the perfect combination of beauty and brains. All she needs for a perfect life is the perfect family to call her own. Could that be yours? Diamond is your Adoptable Pet for the week of June 2, 2014.

Memorial Day 2014

The perfect summer buddy

Summer is here, so that means it's time for fun. And you won't find a more fun-loving partner than Drake. He's seven months old, so he's always ready for playtime. But he's already showing definite signs of becoming an intelligent and faithful adult. Adopt him this week during the final days of our Back in Black sale and save $50 on your adoption! What do you get when you make Drake a member of your family? You'll enjoy months of summer fun, but you'll also have a wonderful companion for life. Drake is your Adoptable Pet for the week of May 26, 2014.

A true beauty queen

Carlie scoffs that permanent eyeliners are all the rage. Hers is completely natural. And when you add in those gorgeous blue eyes, you have the makings of a true beauty queen. But this stunning young dog is much more than a pretty face. Carlie is extremely intelligent and sensitive. She's a young dog who's a model student. Good looks, brains and natural eyeliner: Carlie has it all! She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of May 19, 2014.

Living a happier life

Get ready for a lovefest! If you're looking for some affection and happiness, meet Frank. That's all he wants out of life. At eight years old, he's done with his rambunctious early life. He's ready to settle down into a life of leisure. With all that love and all those smiles between you, you'll make quite a duo. Put your life on a happier plane by making Frank a member of your family. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of May 12, 2014.

It's Cuddles time!

Cuteness alert! Perfect name! Guess what Cuddles likes to do? This little cutie is happy to take up residence in your lap until your legs go numb. That will take quite some time since he's so small. Like most chihuahuas, he'll try to defend you from anyone who approaches, especially if he thinks they're about to interrupt his cuddling time. You can't blame him, because you'll want to do nothing but cuddle once you see his adorable face. It's Cuddles time! He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of May 5, 2014.

It's time to get Frisky!

It's time to have some fun! Feeling Frisky? Here's your ideal playmate. They just don't come any more handsome - or intelligent - than this happy dog. Frisky is outgoing, mild-mannered and eager to learn. He wouldn't mind a daily walk or jog around the neighborhood to keep him in shape. Don't miss your chance to meet this good-looking and Frisky Weimaraner. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of April 28, 2014.

Hit a home run!

Batter up! This dog is a real player! Whitey Ford knows what it takes to succeed. He's ready to fit right in with your family, because he's smart, friendly and always ready to take the field. And his handsome looks make him immediately eligible for the major leagues. You'll hit a home run if you make Whitey Ford a loving member of your family. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of April 21, 2014.

Imagine

Imagine all the people living for today. Now imagine yourself with this adorable dog by your side. It's easy if you try. Lennon is eager to be your perfect companion. At only 30 pounds, he's just the right size. With his intelligence, he's ready to learn. And with his magic ears, he's downright cute. His ears can be up, down or all around. It's obvious Lennon has never experienced true love in his two years. Imagine that you love him and teach him everything he needs to know. It's easy if you try. Lennon is your Adoptable Pet for the week of April 14, 2014.

Can you take a hint?

Can you say gorgeous? These photos are a mere hint of the beautiful dog Summer is going to be. She was apparently hit by a car and is sufferinging from torn ligaments in her knee. She was also shot and has a small bullet lodged in her abdomen. You can see by this photo that she's filled with pain and fear. But through it all, Summer has been incredibly gentle and patient. Once her leg heals and she begins putting on weight, Summer is going to grow up to be a gorgeous, intelligent and loving family member. She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of April 7, 2014.

Uno is truly unique

Uno is truly a one-of-a-kind dog. His happy nature makes him a special family companion. His wiry coat and compact size make him adorable. And his intelligence and eagerness to learn make him an attentive student. Add in his natural playfulness, and that adds up to a unique combination. Make Uno a member of your family, and you'll be the one who feels special. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of March 31, 2014.

Patience pays

Lance prefers to take his time. Perhaps it's his intelligence that keeps him from leaping in head first. But even at his young age, he's learned to be a little cautious. But if it's true that the best things in life are worth waiting for, your patience with be richly rewarded by this handsome dog. Once Lance trusts his instincts, he's a playful, loving and faithful companion. Just give him a little time, and Lance will be your best friend forever. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of March 24, 2014.

Meet the zen master

Cuteness alert! Tex is only three months old, but he's already mastered the art of relaxing. To be sure, he loves to romp like any young puppy. But pick him up and he'll quickly settle into your arms like a soft pillow. He'll be content to relax and cuddle for hours. As an added bonus, his adorable face is simply priceless. Once you make Tex a member of your family, he'll entice you to join him for a daily routine of relaxation and love. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of March 17, 2014.

Top o' the morning to you!

Honey Pie, won't you please come home?

Beatles fans, please feel free to sing along: " Honey Pie, you are making me crazy. I'm in love but I'm lazy, so won't you please come home." Beautiful Honey Pie is truly destined to be a legend of the silver screen. But the thought of meeting her shouldn't make you weak in the knee, because she's pure sweetness. In fact, she's so sweet and unassuming that she may be a little timid when she first meets you. Weighing only 36 pounds, she's surprisingly small. But she'll drive you frantic with those big, soulful eyes. Even if you're lazy, you need to meet Honey Pie today. She'll make you crazy with love! She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of March 10, 2014.

Get Lucky!

There's no need to buy a lottery ticket or book a trip to Las Vegas. You'll get Lucky once you meet this gentle little dog. Go ahead and spin the wheel, because the needle is sure to end up pointing to a winning part of his charming personality. Pick a card: loyal, affectionate, outgoing, alert, happy. It's obvious that Lucky holds a winning hand. There's no gambling involved once you fall in love with this friendly four-year-old. You're an instant winner with Lucky by your side. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of March 3, 2014.

Your patience will pay off

When you're this adorable, you can't help but be apprehensive about who you hang around with. Penny is very timid around people - especially strangers - but she's only a year old. She's learning rapidly how to build up her confidence around people. Dogs are another story! She'll dive right into playtime with a canine friend. Once you earn her trust, cute little Penny is going to be a loving and faithful friend. Just be patient! Penny is your Adoptable Pet for the week of February 24, 2014.

The smartest kid in class

Are you ready to learn something new? Class is in session, and Noelle is ready to be your star pupil. You'll need to learn hand signals to communicate with this beautiful dog, because Noelle is deaf. But she's as intelligent as she is playful. And her adorable one-ear-up, one-ear-down appearance will make sure you're smiling throughout every lesson. She wants to make a trade: If you learn hand signals, Noelle will be your faithful companion for life. She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of February 17, 2014.

Lots of love for Valentine's Day!

Are you looking for "The One" this Valentine's Day? This sweet dog has a lot of love to share. Lilly is very shy, so she acts somewhat fearful when she first meets you. But that's where the love comes in. With some patience and a lot of love, Lilly will soon act like your best friend. Since she's a four-month-old yellow lab, you know what she'll be like when she grows up. Lilly is on her way to becoming a faithful, intelligent and beautiful adult. Ready to share a lot of love? Lilly is ready to be your happy partner. And now's the time to adopt! All pet adoptions are only $14 from Valentine's Day through Sunday February 16. Lilly is your Adoptable Pet for the week of February 10, 2014.

Don't miss this little dog!

Winston looks worried. He's afraid that his small size will keep you from noticing him. He knows you'll be missing out on a lot of fun if you walk by without scratching him between his ears. Winston may be a seven-pound chihuahua, but he has a huge heart. As an added bonus, he's downright cute. Don't ignore this little dog. You'll miss out on a tremendous amount of fun - and a tremendous amount of love. Winston is your Adoptable Pet for the week of February 3, 2014.

All hail the Princess!

She's glamorous enough to be considered royalty. But this is one Princess who won't act like she's better than you. In fact, once you experience the love coming from this little four-year-old, you'll think Princess is here just to serve you. She's a cocker spaniel mix who's impossibly sweet and adorable. Once you make Princess a member of your family, you'll be the one who'll feel like royalty! She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of January 27, 2014.

Beware the magic spell

This little dog is a magician. Roxie manages to fit a lot of personality into that small package. She's also mastered the trick of hiding her intelligence behind all the sweetness and friendliness that you see on the surface. For her next illusion, she wants to learn how to hide in your lap while you're watching TV. But consider yourself warned: Once you get near enough to enchanting little Roxie, she'll have you under her spell in the blink of an eye. She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of January 20, 2014.

A Hollywood hunk

The Hollywood movie stars have been making news again lately. But who needs George Clooney or Robert Redford when Scout is in the house? This handsome hunk is perfect for any leading role. And, unlike a lot of those Hollywood types, Scout is a nice guy. He won't easily forget any of his lines, because he has brains to match those good looks. Take advantage of open auditions season, because you'll be the real star of the show when Scout walks down your red carpet. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of January 13, 2014.

Need your face cleaned?

Sophia's solemn expression is masking her newfound joy. She's finished with motherhood, so she's ready for her own puppy-like playtime. Sophia is a fun-loving, exuberant dog. But her love of carefree living comes second to her desire to shower you with kisses. Get ready for lots of love when this happy dog is with you. It's a sure bet that she'll lick your face clean! Sophia simply wants you to share her love of life and her love for you. She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of January 6, 2014.

Lakeside area leads nation in animal welfare

(This article was published in the neighborsgo section of the January 3, 2014 edition of the Dallas Morning News. It was written by Rockwall Pets Executive Director Michael Kitkoski.)

Communities surrounding Lake Ray Hubbard continued to be national leaders in animal shelter reform during 2013. The No Kill advocacy that Rockwall Pets began in 2010 is beginning to pay off in a big way. Nearly 2,000 additional shelter pets were adopted in Rockwall County during 2013 compared to four years ago. During that same period, the number of pets killed in animal shelters nationwide fell from around four million per year to 2.7 million, according to the Humane Society of the United States. That’s an improvement of over 25 percent in a brief time.

How is our area leading the way? After Rockwall Pets worked with city officials, Rockwall joined Seagoville in establishing our area’s first No Kill municipal shelters in 2011. Carl Alsabrook, the city manager in Royse City, jumped on board in 2012. Rockwall County killed nearly 60% of every animal in its care five years ago, but now saves the lives of over 95%. (The term “No Kill” means returning “euthanasia” to its dictionary definition. Gravely ill and overly aggressive pets should be euthanized. Killing healthy and treatable pets is just that: killing.)

We spent much of 2013 working with the Rowlett and Dallas shelters. With some urging from its citizens and government officials, the Rowlett shelter is poised to join the ranks of area No Kill shelters during 2014. Of the nearly 500 shelter pets rescued by Rockwall Pets last year, about 100 came from Rowlett.

How did we get here? Everyone at Rockwall Pets believes it’s time for our animal shelters to reflect our values as Americans. According to Forbes magazine, Americans spent over $50 billion on our pets during 2011. That’s more than we spend on videos, music and video games combined. We Americans obviously love our pets.

Animal sheltering began in the late 1800s when Americans used animals as working stock. Many animals were worked literally to death while others were routinely rounded up and killed. Following World War II, Americans began keeping pets in our new suburban backyards. Then, as the year 2000 approached, many of us began inviting our dogs and cats to sleep with us. During those 150 years, pets went from our barnyards to our backyards to our bedrooms, yet our animal shelters never changed.

During the 1970s, shelters began blaming the “irresponsible public” for what they called “pet overpopulation.” But 2.7 million pets died in shelters last year even though 17 million American families were looking to adopt. That’s a marketing problem, not pet overpopulation. And I believe that most of us are good people. The HSUS estimates that 83% of owned dogs and 91% of owned cats have been spayed or neutered compared to around 10% in the 1970s. That’s what I call a responsible public.

That’s why our dream is to spread our No Kill mission from Lake Ray Hubbard to all of north Texas. It’s time our animal shelters shared the compassionate values of pet-loving Americans.

Happy New Year!

Our 2014 promise to you:

We'll make this the best year ever for the homeless pets of north Texas.