Lone Star Animal Welfare League celebrates 22 years fixing Montgomery County through low cost spay and neuter services and pet pantry assistance. Donate today.
22 Years of Bettering the Lives of Our Best Friends
Laura McConnell
From Dog Parks to 12,000 Pets Fixed
On March 4, 2004, a small group of animal advocates came together with a simple goal: create better spaces and better opportunities for dogs and the people who love them. That effort became the foundation of what is now Lone Star Animal Welfare League, an all volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets across Montgomery County, Texas.
Over the past 22 years, the organization has grown and evolved as the needs of the community have changed. What began as advocacy for dog parks and shelter improvements has become a mission focused on prevention, education, and community support. Today, Lone Star Animal Welfare League is best known for its work, Fixing Montgomery County, through accessible spay and neuter services and family support programs.
“Our organization has evolved over the years to focus on the work that makes the greatest long term impact,” said Laura McConnell, founder of Lone Star Animal Welfare League. “We have rescued animals, helped build parks, and supported families. But we have learned that spay and neuter in Montgomery County changes everything. It prevents unwanted litters, reduces the number of animals entering shelters, and protects pets from preventable cancers and diseases. Prevention is how we truly better the lives of our best friends.”
Early Years: Building a Better Community for Dogs
Lone Star Animal Welfare League was originally founded as The Woodlands Dog Park Club, advocating for safe spaces where dogs could exercise, socialize, and live healthier lives.
Working alongside the local parks department, the group helped bring dog parks to The Woodlands. These parks created opportunities for dogs to run, play, and de-stress while strengthening the bond between pets and their owners.
The organization also supported the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, contributing more than $300,000 toward shelter improvements. This included funding for the Rescue Me Dog Park and building fenced play yards behind the shelter so dogs could spend time outdoors instead of remaining confined to kennels.
The Rescue Years
In 2007, Lone Star Animal Welfare League expanded its efforts by launching a Labrador and Lab mix rescue program.
At the time, large numbers of Labradors were entering local shelters, and the organization stepped in to help. Over the years, volunteers rescued and adopted out 4,600 Labradors and lab mixes, placing them in loving homes both locally and in northern states.
Alongside rescue work, the organization expanded its community outreach through events and educational programs. Volunteers hosted Spring Bark festivals featuring trainers, agility demonstrations, and police dog presentations. They also organized fundraising golf tournaments, vaccination clinics, and microchipping events in every precinct of Montgomery County.
These programs helped strengthen awareness around responsible pet ownership while connecting families with resources to care for their animals.
Recognizing the Root Cause of Pet Overpopulation
While rescue work helped many animals, volunteers began to see a deeper pattern. Shelters were overwhelmed not because of a lack of compassion, but because too many unwanted litters were being born in the first place.
To address this issue, Lone Star Animal Welfare League began distributing spay and neuter vouchers, initially helping 50 to 100 animals each year receive preventative care through veterinary partners.
Over time, it became clear that prevention would have the greatest long term impact.
Fixing Montgomery County
That realization led to the development of the Fixing Montgomery County program, which has become the organization’s primary focus today.
Through this program, Lone Star Animal Welfare League helps provide low cost spay and neuter in Montgomery County by partnering with veterinary clinics and subsidizing procedures for families who need assistance.
Pet owners contribute a reduced copay while the organization covers the remaining cost through community donations. Depending on the size and medical needs of the animal, the full cost of a surgery can exceed $225.
Thanks to this model, the organization has helped spay or neuter nearly 12,000 dogs and cats, dramatically reducing the number of unwanted litters across communities such as New Caney, Splendora, Porter, and parts of Cleveland.
For several years, services expanded through a mobile clinic partnership with Laurels House and the Fido Fixers van. In 2025 alone, the mobile clinic visited New Caney 22 times and Cleveland 15 times, helping fix hundreds of animals while additional surgeries were performed through veterinary partners.
Today, the organization continues fixing Montgomery County by expanding access to low cost spay and neuter services across the region.
Community Partnerships That Make It Possible
The impact of Lone Star Animal Welfare League has been made possible through strong partnerships with local businesses, foundations, and community leaders.
Through the Gillman Subaru North Subaru Love Promise® program alone, more than $300,000 has been raised to support animal welfare initiatives.
Additional support has come from organizations including the Montgomery County Community Foundation, the East Montgomery County Improvement District, PetSet, and collaborations with the Montgomery County Spay Neuter Alliance, a coalition of nonprofits working together to expand spay and neuter access throughout the county.
Helping Residents Care for Stray Animals
The organization also operates a Stray Aid Program, which helps residents who find stray animals access basic veterinary care and connect with rescue resources.
In the past year alone, volunteers assisted 37 dogs through this program, helping animals receive the medical attention they needed while increasing their chances of finding safe placement.
Supporting Families Through Pet Pantry Assistance
Preventing shelter overcrowding is not only about spay and neuter services. Sometimes families simply need help caring for the pets they already love.
That is why Lone Star Animal Welfare League launched its Senior Citizen Pet Pantry, providing pet pantry assistance in Montgomery County to families facing financial hardship.
Each month, approximately 35 households receive pet food and supplies that help them keep their pets healthy and at home. By providing pet pantry assistance in Montgomery County, the organization helps prevent pets from being surrendered to shelters during difficult times.
Looking Ahead
After 22 years of service, Lone Star Animal Welfare League remains an all volunteer organization committed to bettering the lives of pets and the families who care for them.
From building dog parks to rescuing thousands of animals and now focusing on fixing Montgomery County through low cost spay and neuter services and pet pantry assistance, the organization continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community.
- Every surgery prevents future litters.
- Every donation supports preventative care.
- Every volunteer effort helps create a more humane future for animals.
We have exciting things planned for 2026!
Help Continue Fixing Montgomery County
Programs like low cost spay and neuter in Montgomery County and pet pantry assistance in Montgomery County are made possible entirely through community support.
If you believe in preventing unwanted litters, improving pet health, and helping families keep their pets safe and cared for, please consider supporting the mission.
Donate today to help continue fixing Montgomery County and bettering the lives of our best friends.