Organizational Background
Creature Education and Conservation DFW (CECDFW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bridging animal welfare, human wellbeing, and environmental conservation. We began as a small sanctuary providing lifetime care for abused and surrendered animals. Over time, we recognized that the challenges faced by animals are often deeply connected to the challenges faced by people — especially those experiencing medical crises, mental-health struggles, substance-use treatment, domestic-violence relocation, homelessness, or sudden life disruptions.
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In response, our mission expanded to include human–animal support programs that keep pets safe while their owners seek treatment, stability, or safety.
By helping individuals keep their beloved animals during these critical periods, we reduce emotional distress, prevent mental-health decline, and remove barriers that often stop people from getting the help they need.
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Our additional programs include dog rescue and rehoming, crisis pet care, emergency pet-food assistance, behavior and enrichment resources, ESA support, nature-deficit education, wildlife advocacy, and climate-action outreach.
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In 2025, when Ellis County’s only municipal dog shelter closed, CECDFW stepped forward to fill the critical gap, launching a community-supported dog rescue program and building partnerships to save and rehabilitate abandoned, stray, and at-risk dogs.
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Today, CECDFW continues to grow as a grassroots force for change — supporting animals, strengthening human resilience, and inspiring environmental responsibility to protect our shared future.
MISSION
At Creature Education and Conservation DFW (CECDFW), our mission is to provide compassionate animal care, strengthen the human–nature connection, and protect the planet through conservation and climate action. Our holistic, multifaceted approach addresses the interconnected challenges impacting animals, people, biodiversity, global warming, and our shared environment every day.
VISION
Creature Education and Conservation DFW envisions a world where compassion for animals strengthens human well-being and ignites a global movement for environmental healing. What began as a mission focused on animal rescue and conservation has grown into a holistic commitment to the interconnected welfare of animals, people, and the planet. We strive to be a model of excellence in small-scale sanctuary care and community support—keeping pets safe while their owners navigate medical, mental-health, and socioeconomic challenges, reducing crisis-driven surrenders, and improving quality of life through programs that address urgent human-service needs. Through a variety of assistance programs, nature-deficit education, crisis pet boarding, and compassionate wellness services, we help stabilize families, support mental-health recovery, and strengthen community resilience... for animals, people, and the environment.
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United by the belief that human and environmental futures are inseparable, we aim to inspire millions to champion animal welfare, defend biodiversity, and demand systemic solutions to global warming. Through bold education, relentless advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, CECDFW works toward a future in which climate stability, ecological restoration, and human flourishing are possible for generations to come.