PVAC is the only full service, open admission, animal intake facility in Hidalgo Co, serving more than 750K residents & intake nearly 40,000 animals/year.

The Palm Valley Animal Center is dedicated to caring for homeless companion animals and to enhancing the relationships between animals and people through adoptions, education and community outreach.


Palm Valley Animal Center was founded in 1974 as the Upper Valley Humane Society. The facility, then operated by, and located in, McAllen, was turned over to the Humane Society by the City of McAllen to carry out the full operation and functions of the municipal animal facility.

In 1981, the Upper Valley Humane Society received a donation of 2.5 acres of land located at 2501 W Trenton Rd in Edinburg. This encouraged the subsequent purchase of the adjacent 2.5 acres for a total of 5 acres. Contributions from the surrounding cities, as well as donations from local citizens ($50,000 from Bob Sobel and $100,000 from L.L. Rowan) secured construction on this land and the facility opened on October 31st 1983 with 56 dog runs and 60 cat kennels.

With much deliberation and consideration, our Board of Directors determined that it would be in the best interest of the organization to make significant changes. As a result of these changes, we changed our name from the Upper Valley Humane Society to Palm Valley Animal Center in 2007.

Since our inception we have grown from receiving several hundred animals a year, with 22 dog runs and 9 cat kennels, to receiving more than 40,000 animals a year with 350 dog runs and 185 cat kennels. Our staff has grown from a few volunteer helpers to over 50 trained professionals.

Serving the community for over 40 years, our commitment to animals has never waivered and we look forward to great things in our future and the future of the animals within our care.