The winter at Fort Worth's Silcox Animal Shelter is looking significantly cheerier for its canine inhabitants, attributed to a generous donation aimed at enhancing their outdoor experiences. Former shelter volunteer and passionate animal advocate Ransome Hughes Rombauer, through a $72,000 contribution from her family's foundation, has enabled the shelter to expand and improve its play yards. These new spaces allow the dogs more opportunity for exercise and socialization, crucial components for their well-being and adoptability.
As documented by the City of Fort Worth, the gift from Rombauer, who volunteered at the shelter during her college years at Southern Methodist University, powers ahead the fortification of several smaller play yards. This development ensures that an increased number of shelter dogs can safely relish their time spent in the outdoors—a time for them to simply play or bask in the sun.
Rombauer's association with the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control (FWACC) goes beyond the bounds of a mere benefactor. Her commitment to canine welfare is clear, with seven rescue dogs currently calling the Rombauer family home in Napa Valley, four hailing from Texas, and three more at Rombauer's own horse farm. The Double R Family Foundation (DRFF), initiated by her family in 2023, furthers their philanthropic reach, encompassing animal transport support from overtaxed shelters, aid during domestic disasters, and programs aimed at the welfare of working equines in regions such as India and Pakistan.
Concentrating on local impacts as well, the DRFF has invested in Napa Valley's community betterment, funding hospice programs and local food banks. However, it's their significant contribution to FWACC that underscores their commitment to elevating animal welfare. "The newly installed play yards provide more than just space — they offer enrichment, companionship and a greater chance at successful adoption," the shelter staff shared, per the City of Fort Worth.
