This is Cherie, a sweet little dog that was rescued from a puppymill in Texas and placed through a member of TARPA.

For information on Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso, click here.

TARPA is a nonprofit organization of Texas releasing agencies and animal adoption organizations who have come together to establish a set of standards for maintaining and placing rescued animals.

This organization was founded for two primary reasons:

1.  to address the need for releasing agencies to feel confident that the "rescue and adoption" groups to whom they were releasing dogs and cats were reputable and provided adequate care for the animals within their program.

2.  to address the need to provide the general public with the knowledge that organizations from which they might adopt were reputable and provided adequate care for the animals within their program.

Member Benefits

The current members of TARPA are listed on the Membership page.  Our members have documented the reasons they feel TARPA is important as an organization. Please click here to see their list of TARPA Benefits.

Membership Requirements

To apply to become a member, each organization must agree to adhere to the TARPA Code of Ethics, provide a veterinary reference, two adoptive references, a foster home reference and the required supporting documentation.  And, the organization must agree to have periodic inspections of the primary location where animals are housed.

How to Apply for TARPA Membership

All "rescue and adoption" groups are invited to apply for membership in TARPA.  To download an application, click here. You can send the application, along with the required supporting documents (spay/neuter policies, health policies, adoption application, adoption contract and owner release form) to:

FAX: 281-847-1911 *

EMAIL: chodges [at] harriscountyhealth.com *

MAIL: Colleen Hodges, c/o Harris County Animal Control, 612 Canino Rd Houston, TX  77076.

*Also, mail a check for your annual membership dues in the amount of $25 to Colleen Hodges at the mailing address provided above.  Your check will be held until application is fully approved.

Member Approval Procedure

Once your COMPLETE application package and membership dues are received, the Board of Directors of TARPA will review your application package and communicate the status within seven days.  Once tentatively approved, TARPA members will schedule a home visit with one of the primary homes within your organization.  This home visit should be conducted within 30 days of notification or you will be ask to resubmit your application.  The results of the application approval process will be reviewed at the monthly Board of Directors meeting and communicated with the primary contact for the group within seven days of the Board of Directors meeting.