Giving Tuesday boosts SPCA care efforts
Posted/updated on: December 5, 2025 at 9:18 pm
TYLER — Several days after the SPCA of East Texas issued an urgent plea for donations, East Texans responded with overwhelming generosity, allowing the organization to continue caring for and sheltering animals as they move into the new year. According to the SPCA of East Texas executive director Emily Heglund and our news partner KETK, the organization received over $130,000 in donations over the past two days, with most of the contributions coming from Giving Tuesday.
The donations came shortly after the SPCA released a statement on Sunday stating that the organization is in dire need of contributions to allow them to continue caring for animals in East Texas.
“Unfortunately, when we’re talking about a shortfall like that, it’s the animals that really suffer because we have to look at cutting back on services,” Heglund said. “We’re asking the community to step up and help us out with donations if they can.”
While the SPCA is grateful for the generous donations it has received over the past few days, Heglund emphasized that the organization still needs contributions to strengthen its foundation.
“The incredible response has helped us avert an immediate crisis. We do want to be clear that this is the beginning of rebuilding, not the end,” Heglund said.”Sustainable support remains essential as we work to stabilize our organization and strengthen our foundation.”
The SPCA will use the donations received to provide services to animals, including daily animal care, as well as adoption and intake services. Heglund also believes that the organization saw a decrease in donations throughout the year due to economic conditions.
Now that the SPCA has some room to breathe and prepare for the new year, Heglund credits the generous support from East Texans, which has allowed the organization to remain afloat.
“It really shows how much East Texans care not just about the animals but the people who are caring for them,” Heglund said. “People know how to respond when it matters the most.”
