SPCA of Texas terminates agreement with Ellis County, facility to shut down

WAXAHACHIE – At an Ellis County Commissioners Court meeting in late January, an item on the agenda was an action to amend the Ellis County Animal Control Ordinance.

The amendment was regarding the notification of termination of Ellis County by the SPCA of Texas.

An employee from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department spoke at commissioners court and explained, “This has become imminent due to notifications that were received in the past due to the county’s animal control ordinance.”

It was unclear and went unanswered by the Sheriff’s Department as to exactly what “animal control ordinances” were being referred to by this comment.

Ellis County Judge Todd Little did respond to an email, but did not further reply by deadline and wrote, “Thanks for reaching out. This is a very tough subject.”

A follow-up story will be written when more information is forthcoming.

At the commissioners court meeting, the Sheriff’s spokesperson said the animal control division has done the best they can with the county’s ordinance from 1996, but much has changed.

The notification from the SPCA does create a dilemma regarding where to take animals needing shelter in Ellis County.

It was also suggested at the meeting some of the items from the 1996 ordinance should be suspended as they are not as easy to currently obtain. 

After The Ellis County Press requested information as to what ordinances were being referred to at the commissioners court meeting, the Sheriff’s Department sent a media release one day later.

In short, it explained SPCA of Texas had begun assumed services with Ellis County around June 2020. The contracted services that the SPCA provided to Ellis County were integral to the county’s overall animal control plan.

As of 2025 reportedly the Sheriff’s Department Ellis County Animal Control officers bring in, on average, five canines to the shelter daily. 

“Other than the contractual sheltering services provided to the unincorporated areas of Ellis County, the shelter also accepted animals from Alma, Bardwell, Ennis, Ferris, Garrett, Italy, Maypearl, Milford, Palmer, Pecan Hill, and Venus. The number of animals received by the shelter has always been of concern to the SPCA of Texas because the number of animals received continually exceeded their capacity. 

“This overcrowding phenomenon was due to language contained in the county ordinance and the SPCA of Texas’ euthanasia policy.”

The release stated, “This problem is not unique to Ellis County.”

The Sheriff’s Department spokesperson did state that office will continue to respond to dog bite and vicious dog calls as well as to needs as required by law involving rabies control and health and safety.

As of April 15, 2025, animals will not be taken to the SPCA of Texas.

Ellis County has been paying SPCA of Texas $9,085 a month for the partnership.

The contract was not to expire until November 2025 with a one-year extension. 

Red Oak resident Matthew Craig told commissioners he intended to speak, but left due to the long length of the meeting before discussing the item.

Craig said he and his wife foster dogs, and often it can take up to one-year to find a permanent home. He suggested the court publish the ordinance in order for all residents to have access to read it, provide a copy of the SPCA of Texas agreement, host a town hall meeting, keep the staff working at the Ellis County Shelter, coordinate with animal control to continue to work with rescue, and to create a task force to have a shelter that can serve all the Ellis County cities being affected by the termination.

A vote to rescind the current ordinance passed 4-0 by the commissioners.