Temple Offers Free Pet Adoptions for Veterans

Heart to Home Animal Adoption Center's Paws for Heroes program waives adoption fees for eligible veterans and active-duty service members during November.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pet Health

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a worn dog collar with a blank tag resting on a folded navy cloth with cream stripes. — Temple's Heart to Home Animal Adoption Center is waiving adoption fees for veterans and active-duty service members throughout November under its Paws for Heroes program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your city spend more money on local animal shelters?

The Heart to Home Animal Adoption Center in Temple offers free pet adoptions to residents who provide proof of veteran status or active-duty service. Adopters must agree to have their pets spayed or neutered, but free adoptions do not include those services.

Why it matters

The program aims to support veterans' well-being while creating more space at the shelter. Residents can also donate to help cover spay and neuter costs for adopted animals.

The shelter now holds 70 dog kennels and 21 cat kennels after a city expansion funded by $1.432 million in certificates of obligation. Adopters must spay or neuter by the animal's six-month birthday or within two weeks of adoption, whichever is later.

The players

Heart to Home Animal Adoption Center

The Temple municipal shelter rebranded in 2024 after a two-year expansion that added dog and cat kennels and play areas.

The details

Eligible residents complete adoptions by bringing a photo ID and proof of residence. The expansion also added three dog play areas and a dedicated space for prospective adopters at the Heart to Home facility.

The facility was rebranded as Heart to Home in 2024 after a two-year expansion project.
In August, the city invested an additional $1.432 million in certificates of obligation to expand the facility.
Paws for Heroes free veteran adoptions are offered throughout November 2026.

Season Trajectory

Municipal shelters commonly tie adoption to spay-neuter agreements, and Temple's program follows that pattern while leaving surgical costs to donors. The November veteran promotion adds a seasonal push to a shelter that has expanded its capacity.

Temple residents who are veterans or active-duty service members can adopt a pet at no adoption fee in November by bringing a photo ID and proof of residence. Adopters should plan for spay or neuter costs, which the free adoption does not cover.

The takeaway

Veterans and active-duty residents in Temple can use the Paws for Heroes program to adopt at no fee, but should budget for spay or neuter surgery, which donations may help cover.