MIDLAND, Texas — It goes without saying, the animal population in West Texas can be unbearable at times.
However, the Midland Humane Coalition (MHC) is ready to take on the challenge.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, they will be holding a grand opening of their Joe and Van Mabee Animal Rescue Center or ARC.
MHC is stretching its paws to help as many animals as possible in the Permian Basin with the new center.
Briana Mendoza, the operating manager for MHC, explained that the facility can hold up to 100 animals in total - 60 dogs and 30 cats.
"I don't know of any facilities that can hold that many," Mendoza said. "We're at full capacity which is great for us because we're able to get a lot of animals off the streets and we actually saved a few."
Mendoza recalled a time when she and the MHC team saved four animals, that would not be here today, if they were not rescued.
"Something our hearts just told us to head up to [the shelter] and take a look," Mendoza said. "Of course, we ended up taking four pups that were going to be euthanized probably an hour after we [would have] walked out of those doors. Now, they're here at the ARC, thriving, and they're just happy puppies."
That is the mission and goal of the new rescue center.
"It's not a competition, the animals are just our lives," Mendoza said.
MHC used to operate out of the PetSmart in Midland, before taking over the current property. The biggest challenge during this transition has been having to put a temporary stop to adoptions. Mendoza mentioned that this was the main reason for the shelter being at capacity. She said they still get calls daily about people wanting to drop off or surrender animals.
In the meantime, the ARC has made a "purrfectly" charming process to ensure pets can come in, be cared for and adopted as swiftly as possible.
"Once they're rescued, they're either pulled from the pound, abandoned or surrendered," said EJ Terrazas, the executive director for MHC, during a tour of the facility.
During that time, they're evaluated and either spayed or neutered.
As MHC prepares to open its doors to the community, they want to say thank you first.
"The community has supported us a bunch," Mendoza said. "I feel like before, not a lot of people knew about us because we were in PetSmart. We were nervous about that, but it’s amazing how much people support us. Even though we’re not open to the public, we’re still getting people calling left and right to adopt, so that was nice and heartwarming."
With this new location, the team is excited for the many lives that will find their forever homes.
“These guys have been with us for a long time, and as much as we love them, they deserve to go to a forever home. It’s actually sad, but okay,” Mendoza said.
A new space, not only for holding more animals, but holding more hope.