Shelter to be renamed Henry’s Animal Campus honoring dog ambassador

The City’s North Animal Campus will take on a new name in 2026. On Tuesday, Jan. 27, City Council approved renaming the facility Henry’s Animal Campus in honor of the City’s late canine ambassador.

Henry retired on Feb. 23, 2024, after serving the City for 13 years. His journey began in 2011, when he was brought to the Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Shelter as a stray suffering from pneumonia. He was thin, barely alive and found roaming the streets, according to his owner, Brandon Bennett, former director of Fort Worth’s Code Compliance Department.

“Henry was picked up by Animal Care & Control and nursed back to health,” Bennett said during a recent council meeting.

Henry was not chosen as the shelter’s ambassador at random. Bennett described his rise to stardom as an intentional process. “The hardest dogs for animal control to adopt out are the ones that are large and dark-colored,” Bennett said. “So, we made it a point to pick Henry.”

The pup was also selected for his gentle demeanor. “He loved everyone, everywhere and every time,” Bennett said.

Henry made an indelible mark on the City and its animal welfare efforts. He participated in countless special events, visited local elementary schools and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the challenges facing homeless pets.

Henry also played a critical role in raising more than $1 million for the construction of a new medical treatment ward at the Silcox Animal Care & Adoption Center. Over his lifetime, he helped raise $4.8 million, funding that improved and enriched the lives of homeless pets across Fort Worth.

Henry died in 2025 at the age of 16. With the renaming, City leaders hope his legacy will live on.

“Long before NAC was built, Henry’s favorite spot was the pond there,” Bennett said. “Today, I think we should look at that shelter as another yard that we built for Henry and the tens of thousands of dogs that have been and will continue to be saved.”

A ceremony to honor the campus renaming will be held later this year.

Find more information on how to get involved with the Fort Worth animal shelter.

Photo at top: City staff and animal advocates gathered at City Hall to hail the shelter renaming in honor of Henry.

Photo: Henry worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the challenges facing homeless pets.

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