About Us
Our Mission
SPAN secures the joyful, healthy relationships between low-income seniors and their companion animals.
We serve the needs of Dallas County low-income seniors, 67 years and older with basic veterinary care and pet food.
We accomplish this by:
- Providing financial assistance for basic veterinary care which is defined as annual shots, preventive heartworm and flea medication. Other veterinary services will be considered on a case by case basis and are contingent on available funds.
- Pet food provided by the Aunt Louise’s Pet Food Pantry, delivered by volunteers.
- We serve as a volunteer resource to the elder support programs of Dallas-area senior organizations and in doing so, the organization also strives to improve the quality of life for seniors’ pets. A private 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, SPAN is funded solely through private donations and operated by volunteers.
Jacqueline West, Executive Director
SPAN Board of Directors
- Founder: Adelle Taylor
- President: Laurie Jennings
- Secretary: Marge Austin
- Treasurer: Mike Brown
- Aunt Louise’s Pet Pantry: Melissa Menz
- Client Intake / Veterinary Care Coordination: Laura Palmer
Open Board Positions
- Public Relations
- Fundraising & Special Projects
- Grant Writer and Sponsorship
Laurie Jennings, President
Adelle Taylor with her companions
Our Founder
The late Adelle Taylor is the founder of Seniors’ Pet Assistance Network (SPAN). Adelle heard from a friend who was delivering Meals on Wheels that some of the elderly recipients were not eating all of their meals, but sharing them with their pet because they could not afford to buy pet food.
Imagine living alone with a beloved pet, your sole and constant companion, but you’re no longer able to feed and care for that pet. Some elderly have been separated from their dog or cat due to the inability to care for it.
Adelle did not like the idea of seniors and their companion animals being separated, so she did something about it and started SPAN as a 501 (c)3 nonprofit agency in 2006.