Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Bissell
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From a young age, I felt a strong calling to help animals. My initial dream was to become a veterinarian, but when that path did not unfold as I had hoped, I shifted my focus and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
After several years working as a clinical nurse at Parkland Memorial Hospital and later in medical case management, I founded two businesses—one in case management and another in insurance fraud investigation. My journey took a new direction when my youngest child started kindergarten, giving me the chance to volunteer as a photographer at the Richardson Animal Shelter.
This experience reignited my passion for animal welfare and led me to help establish the shelter’s first Animal Advisory Commission, where I served for nine years. My team played a significant role in removing the gas chamber, advocating for Richardson’s first dog park, and adding a veterinarian-staffed medical clinic to the shelter.
During this time, I began bringing home sick or underage cats and dogs from the shelter, which prompted me to start my first nonprofit organization, Take Me Home Pet Rescue (TMHPR). This organization is dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from local shelters. Initially run from my home, TMHPR quickly expanded. With the support of my husband, family, friends, and dedicated volunteers, we moved into a vacant veterinary clinic storefront in Richardson. We transformed the space, creating a welcoming environment for dogs and cats to recover from the trauma of abandonment and a place to socialize with other pets and volunteers before being placed in foster homes. We also opened our doors to the public every Saturday for meet-and-greet events with potential adopters.
In the summer of 2017, after nearly a decade, I stepped away from TMHPR due to differing visions and co-founded Dallas Street Dog Advocates (DSDA), focusing on abandoned street dogs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A turning point came in May 2016 with the tragic death of homeless veteran Antoinette Brown, who was mauled by a pack of loose dogs in southern Dallas. This incident motivated me to take action, and I became involved with several nonprofits and individual rescuers, meeting weekly that summer at Paul Quinn College in south Dallas, where stray dogs on campus were becoming a growing concern. To address the issue, the City of Dallas enlisted the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to study the stray dog crisis. BCG recommended increasing the number of low-cost spay/neuter surgeries through Dallas Animal Services and other grant funded programs to reduce the number of unwanted dogs.
We began to see slight improvements in reducing the number of loose dogs in Dallas until 2021, when the problem worsened due to the abandonment of dogs following the COVID pandemic. Many people adopted dogs during the lockdown in 2020 but later abandoned them when returning to work, often without spaying or neutering. Backyard breeders worsened the situation by over-breeding to meet sudden demand, resulting in unsold and unsocialized puppies.
Texas animal shelters are currently overwhelmed with unwanted dogs and cats and often closed to intake which results in unwanted dogs being dumped – typically in rural areas. Other organizations like DSDA struggle to find enough fosters and adopters. The gap between available dogs and potential homes is significant, compounded by a lack of spay/neuter enforcement and breeding regulations. Thankfully, many generous individuals and businesses continue to support nonprofits like DSDA.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
DSDA is a fully volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs in rural areas. As the Director and President, I lead a committed Board, with each member playing a vital role in our mission. Our focus primarily covers southern Dallas County and the surrounding rural communities, where dog dumping is most severe. We can only commit to a dog when we have available foster homes, which significantly limits our capacity. Our success relies on the generosity of foster families who open their hearts and homes to often confused, sick, and injured dogs and puppies. Without these fosters, our rescue efforts would be impossible.
We collaborate with similar nonprofits and independent rescuers to maximize our impact. Our dedicated veterinary partners, each specializing in different types of care, make our work possible. Additionally, with around 100 active volunteers, we manage various aspects of the organization to keep it moving forward.
Since our dogs live in foster homes, they are typically well-socialized by the time they are ready for adoption. For those needing extra attention, we work with trainers to help them adjust. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, fully vaccinated—including core vaccines and prevention for heartworm and fleas. We also invest in necessary medical treatments, such as heartworm therapy or orthopedic repairs, to ensure every dog is happy and healthy.
To honor the donations we receive, we are selective about where our dogs are placed. For potential adopters with prior pet ownership, we require veterinary references to confirm responsible care. Our adoption process includes meet-and-greet events and home visits to ensure a smooth transition for our rescued dogs into their new families.
My foster fail, Bolt, a beautiful blue-eyed Siberian Husky, was once an abandoned dog. Thanks to his microchip, we traced his story back to his adoption from the Dallas Animal Shelter as a puppy. His poor condition showed he had been kept in a tiny kennel where he couldn’t even stand; his once beautiful white coat was stained with urine and feces, and he was severely malnourished. He was then abandoned in a wooded area off a rural road known for trash and dog dumping in southern Dallas. This is the reality for many dogs in the Dallas area. Each story is equally heartbreaking. Through Bolt’s recovery, we formed a strong bond, and he has become a loyal companion with a wonderful personality. He helps train new fosters, showing them that humans can be kind.
Fortunately, unlike people, dogs do not hold grudges. Even after experiencing abuse and abandonment, they can still become devoted family members. (For more details about Bolt’s rescue and recovery, visit #dsdabolt.)
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The issue of dog overpopulation is overwhelming, and our efforts have only scratched the surface of this crisis. While it can be disheartening, we focus on the positive impact we make by helping individual dogs and preventing countless others from being born into a harsh existence.
We have recently launched outreach initiatives to assist underserved areas in the state with vaccinations and spay/neuter options. Funds are allocated directly to local veterinarians performing this essential care. However, many dogs in these areas arriving for surgery have never seen a vet and are suffering from tick-borne diseases and heartworm, which can disqualify them from surgery.
Additionally, due to a veterinarian shortage, the wait for spay surgeries can extend for months, leading to heartbreaking situations where scheduled dogs become pregnant before their surgery date arrives. Addressing these barriers is critical to our mission and the well-being of the dogs we strive to save.
DSDA is always looking for volunteers, primarily fosters. We provide all medical care and supplies; you provide the love and training. If you are interested in fostering, please visit www.dsda.org/foster and complete our online application. If you are looking to adopt please go to www.dsda.org/adopt for more details. And, of course, we are always in need of donations. Links to donate can be found at www.dsda.org/donate.
Pricing:
- Adoption Fee: Puppies/Under 12 months/$275/includes: all core vaccines (rabies/bordetalla/DHPP), flu/lepto and all boosters/dewormer until negative fecal/microchipping/spay or neuter/monthly preventative from 8 weeks old until adopted and adopter is sent home with a dose for following month/treatment for any known illness or injury/training & socializing. Most always sent to new home with collar, leash, harness, blanket & favorite toy.
- Adoption Fee: Adults/Over 12 months/$275/includes: all core vaccines (rabies/bordetalla/DHPP), flu/lepto and all boosters/dewormer until negative fecal/microchipping/spay or neuter/monthly preventative from 8 weeks old until adopted and adopter is sent home with a dose for following month/treatment for any known illness or injury/training & socializing. Most always sent to new home with collar, leash, harness, blanket & favorite toy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dsda.org
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DallasStreetDogAdvocates
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/DallasStreetDogAdvocates
Image Credits
Andrew Bissell
Jeane Harrison-Anthony
