Turkey Day at Citizens for Animal Protection Brings Comfort and Hope to Houston’s Homeless Pets
At Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), Thanksgiving comes a little early—and a little louder, with the sounds of wagging tails and contented purrs. On Tuesday, November 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the shelter will host its annual “Turkey Day” celebration, giving every dog and cat a warm holiday meal and a few extra moments of joy.
This tradition, made possible by the generous team at Rover Oaks Pet Resort Katy, is more than just a festive gathering—it’s a small but powerful act of care for animals still waiting for their forever homes.
“This is one of our favorite days of the year,” said Sandi Mercado, Executive Director at CAP. “Our animals absolutely love it—tails wag, noses twitch, and the joy is contagious. We’re incredibly grateful to Rover Oaks Katy for not only providing the turkey but for being here to share the smiles and excitement with us”.
Each year, the Rover Oaks team prepares and donates a full spread of turkey for the shelter pets. They also show up in person to help serve the food, joining staff and volunteers to make sure every animal gets a bite of something special.
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“It’s such a joy to see the animals enjoy their Thanksgiving treat,” said Amanda Alvizo, General Manager at Rover Oaks Katy. “CAP does so much for homeless pets in our community, and we’re honored to give back in a way that brings a little happiness to their day”.
It’s a feel-good event, but it’s also a poignant reminder: Houston is facing a serious pet overpopulation problem. At Harris County Pets alone, the shelter reports taking in approximately 10,000–18,000 animals per year (dogs and cats) from across the county. Although Harris County Pets maintained a live release rate over 91% last year, many dogs and cats are still being euthanized due to various reasons like illness or purported aggression.
Local shelters like CAP continue to feel the strain as intake numbers rise and adoptions struggle to keep up.
Founded in 1972, Citizens for Animal Protection has been at the front lines of this issue for more than five decades. What began as a grassroots effort by a group of concerned Houstonians has grown into one of the region’s most trusted animal welfare organizations. Today, CAP cares for more than 10,000 animals annually at its Jane Cizik Center located at 17555 Katy Fwy Building C, Houston, TX 77094, where it provides services ranging from adoptions and spay/neuter programs to pet care counseling and education initiatives.
Despite the state-of-the-art facility and tireless efforts of staff and volunteers, the goal remains simple: find homes for every pet that walks through the door.
That’s where the community comes in. Alongside Turkey Day, Rover Oaks Katy is also leading a month-long donation drive to collect food, supplies, and essentials for the shelter. These will be delivered on the day of the event, giving even more reason to be thankful this season.
“We rely on our community in every possible way,” Mercado said. “From donations to adoptions to sharing our animals on social media—it all makes a difference.”
The public is encouraged to support in any way they can: adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, or even just spread the word. CAP also welcomes visits from potential adopters ready to meet their new family members.
Turkey Day may last only an hour, but its message lingers—every pet deserves a holiday, and more importantly, a home.
For more information about Citizens for Animal Protection, its adoptable animals, or how to get involved, visit cap4pets.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
