History

Palm Valley Animal Center was founded in 1974 as the Upper Valley Humane Society (UVHS), located in McAllen, TX. The facility was turned over to UVHS by the city to carry out the functions of municipal animal control.

In 1981, UVHS received a donation of 2.5 acres of land at 2501 W Trenton Rd in Edinburg. A subsequent purchase of 2.5 adjacent acres resulted in a total of 5 acres for the organization. Contributions from nearby communities, as well as donations from local citizens ($50,000 from Bob Sobel and $100,000 from L.L. Rowan) secured construction on the land and the facility opened in October 1983 with 56 dog runs and 60 cat kennels.

In 2007 the UVHS Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization to Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC).

In April 2016 the Laurie P. Andrews PAWS (PAWS) Center opened, offering a state-of-the-art adoption center, education and community center, and a full veterinary surgical clinic. PAWS features community cat rooms, kitten playrooms, and housing for more than 100 dogs and puppies. PAWS also features two publically available dog parks for large and small dogs. The Edinburg Foundation was instrumental in securing the site and donated $1.2 million to the project.

In May of 2018 the board of directors voted to pursue no-kill status, and with the help of national animal welfare organizations such as American Pets Alive, Best Friends Animal Society, Maddie’s Fund, and the Petco Foundation, Palm Valley Animal Center began making strides towards the goal of finding live outcomes for at least 90% of the animals entering the facility. Palm Valley Animal Center was reopened as a full adoption center in 2018.

In September of 2019 the PVAC Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS), with its two facilities being PVAS Trenton Center and PVAS Laurie P Andrews Center. The name change represents a celebration of recent improvements in lifesaving at the organization, as well as its commitment to being the standard bearer for progressive lifesaving in the Rio Grande Valley

Since our inception PVAS has grown from receiving several hundred animals a year, with 22 dog runs and 9 cat kennels, to receiving more than 30,000 animals a year with 350 dog runs and 185 cat kennels. Our staff has grown from a few volunteer helpers to over 100 trained professionals.

Board of Directors

KEELY LEWIS, President
BRANDON HAUSENFLUCK, Vice-President
JIM SPENCE, Co-Treasurer
BILL RUPPERT, Co-Treasurer
WILL LOWRY, Secretary
BARBARA GUERRA ARRI
SONNY HILDRETH
DR. ROBERT RAMOS DVM
SAUL SANCHEZ
JOHN TIPPIT

Development Board

HON. JOANNE GARCIA
DAVID VICENTENO

Advisory members

RON KILBY
CHARLIE MEYER
JOHN SIGRIST