DALLAS, TX - June 24, 2013: Three major animal welfare groups in Dallas are joining forces to leverage their know-how in one organization.

The three groups - Dallas Animal Advocates, Metroplex Animal Coalition and Dallas Companion Animal Project - are all well-known longtime advocates for Dallas' animal community. They'll now operate under the same 501(c)(3) umbrella and name: The Dallas Companion Animal Project (DCAP).

The cooperative venture represents a bold shift in how animal welfare groups typically operate. By coming together, the three groups increase their ability to respond to the community's pressing animal welfare issues.

"We all shared the same goal - to reduce the number of healthy adoptable animals being killed," says Chris Watts, who serves as the president of the Dallas Companion Animal Project. "I feel that the merger is critical to helping us achieve that goal. Collaborating makes us more effective."

To further expand its reach, DCAP has created a new website and they will use state-of-the-art technology to help increase adoptions and donations. The new website is at www.dallasanimals.org.

Aided by a grant from The Meadows Foundation, Dallas Animal Services (DAS) has also joined forces with DCAP and the Aidmatrix Foundation, a Dallas technology group whose programs will help manage volunteers, fundraising, donations and supplies.

"We can use technology to build capacity in local rescue groups, reunite owners with their pets and enhance access to pet-related resources," Watts says.

Moving animals from DAS to rescue groups can give them a better chance at finding a new home.