For more than 20 years, sisters Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist have been active in Houston’s animal welfare community. Through their nonprofit, now known as PetSet, they have directed millions in fundraising to support the city’s rescue network and have advocated for policy changes at both City Hall and in Austin. The organization provides grants to frontline rescues and emphasizes combining financial support with advocacy as a strategy to reduce shelter intake. Local rescuers report that this combination of emergency funding and coordinated programs is helping to ease demands on clinics, foster networks, and transport systems.
According to FOX 26 Houston, the Lundquist sisters report that PetSet has helped save "hundreds of thousands" of homeless dogs and cats. Over the years, the nonprofit has provided approximately $5 million in donations to area rescue groups. In the most recent round of funding, more than 100 rescue organizations across greater Houston received a total of about $400,000 in grants, which were distributed directly to local partners for emergency medical care, transport, and spay-and-neuter programs.
Big Fundraisers, Smaller Grants In The Trenches
PetSet is not a traditional shelter. The organization directs proceeds from events and donor contributions toward emergency medical care, transport, and neighborhood spay-and-neuter clinics, while day-to-day animal care is handled by its rescue partners. CultureMap reported that PetSet’s "Le Brunch" fundraiser generated nearly $1 million this year, and that the nonprofit distributed more than $400,000 to around 100 local partners last year. PetSet’s website lists vaccine events, mobile spay-and-neuter services, and a structured grants program as the main ways it supports Houston’s frontline rescues.
Advocacy Moves Beyond Checks
Within the organization, leaders describe grants as one part of their approach. PetSet has also participated in policy initiatives. The Texas Humane Legislation Network reports that Houston PetSet contributed to the passage of Houston’s humane pet store ordinance and supported statewide measures such as the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, which are intended to reduce animal suffering and manage shelter populations. The Lundquists have promoted this combination of legislative work and financial support through public forums and partnerships with local animal agencies.
Rescuers On The Ground
For the small, volunteer-run rescues that make up much of Houston’s safety net, these grants provide critical support. Charlotte Liberda of Red Collar Rescue told FOX 26 Houston that the organization focuses on giving animals a second chance. Red Collar’s materials indicate that the group specializes in taking in dogs in critical condition and covering the costs of intensive medical care. Rescue leaders report that outside grants often fund surgeries, foster boarding, and transport—expenses that might otherwise require smaller organizations to return animals to already crowded municipal shelters.
What The Money Buys In The Trenches
At the program level, PetSet directs funds to short-term needs such as emergency surgeries, transport to areas with more adopters, mobile spay-and-neuter clinics, and vaccine events. The organization’s website lists these services. Recent reporting highlighted a partnership between PetSet and BARC that provided dog houses and basic supplies during a winter cold snap, showing that grants can be used for both neighborhood needs and medical care. Volunteer coordinators state that these targeted grants help move animals into foster care and adoption programs.
What Comes Next
PetSet’s rebrand and changes in fundraising approaches are part of a plan to expand the model beyond Houston and support statewide policy initiatives. Business and nonprofit outlets have reported on the organization’s efforts to combine philanthropic funding with policy work as a way to address the underlying causes of animal homelessness. The Lundquist sisters and PetSet’s board continue to provide grants, support rescue partners, and advocate for local and state regulations related to animal welfare.
