The foundation was formed as Denton Animal Shelter Foundation, a TX Corporation and 501(c)3 public charity, by Mrs. Bette Sherman, Chairman, and Mrs. Pete Kamp, Vice-Chairman. Its purpose: to provide private supplemental funding for improvement to shelter pets' quality of life and to increase the adoption rate.

A community board was formed and operating funds were donated by members.

In 2006, the City of Denton Animal shelter's live exit rate was 40% of 4,000 pets annually.

DASF's Emergency Medical Fund was initiated and funded by board members personally.

DASF implemented a marketing plan to increase public awareness of the shelter.

Shelter management requested assistance on funding a new shelter, replacing the inadequate, 30+ year old facility.

A Public/Private Legal Partnership was formed with the City of Denton (the first ever to build a Denton municipal building).

DASF’s Board approved a capital campaign goal of $2.0 million for donation to the city. The campaign slogan was “Shelter for Today – Hope for Tomorrow.”

DASF’s Adoption Subsidy Program was implemented to increase shelter adoptions.

In 2010, the City of Denton Animal shelter's live release rate improved to 65% of 4,000 pets annually, thanks to the shelter Emergency Medical Fund and Adoption Subsidy Program.

The Capital Campaign formally began.

A $500,000 lead donation was received from Jim McNatt to name the new shelter: Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center.

In 2010, DASF joined the Communities Foundation of Texas’ annual North Texas Day of Giving.

In June 2011, DASF reached its campaign goal of $2.0 million. Denton’s City Council matched with $3.0 million to fund the new shelter completely.

DASF raised an additional $200,000 for equipment in the new shelter.

City Council dedicated the street in front of the new shelter to Bette Sherman: Bette Sherman Trail.

DASF sponsored the first Discounted Vaccine Clinic in partnership with Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP).

In September 2012, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new shelter was held.

DASF placed 6th in the USA out of 200 competitors in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100,000 Challenge.

In 2013, construction of the new shelter began.

DASF received the single largest grant ever given by Kroger Community Grants.

In 2014, an amended charter was filed, changing the name to DENTON ANIMAL SUPPORT FOUNDATION, INC. The name change reflected the broader mission of DASF: continuing to support the shelter while increasing support for animal welfare initiatives in the community.

A “Wall of Honor” and a bronze plaque were commissioned to acknowledge major donors and the DASF board.

In 2014, the shelter live release rate improved to 78% thanks to DASF programs.

In January 2015, the Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center opened with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.

FREE rabies vaccines were implemented as part of the Discounted Vaccine Clinics.

Dr. Jerry and Shirley Watson initiated the DASF Shelter Endowment Fund.

In 2015, the live release rate increased to 84% of 4,200 pets handled.

Bette Sherman was honored by the board for 10 years of service and for Co-Founding DASF.

In 2016, DASF’s Education Committee reached 1,651 children with pet care and safety education programs.

A DASF grant providing Kevlar vests to Denton County K9 dogs was approved.

For 2016, the shelter live release rate reached over 90% of 5,477 pets handled.

Credit for increased adoption rates was given to DASF’s Adoption Subsidy Program.

The first grant from the Endowment Fund was approved.

The monthly Paw Patron Program was organized to encourage recurring donations.

The Education Committee programs reached 4,638 elementary school children.

DASF began donating children’s books on animal care to four local libraries.

DASF was the #1 North Texas Giving Day fundraiser in Denton County for small nonprofits each year.

In October 2018, Bette Sherman was named a “National Top 100 Difference Maker” by TIAA and a $10,000 donation was awarded to DASF.

DASF signed a legal partnership agreement with the city at their request.

A grant was approved for the purchase of the shade structures over all shelter play yards.

The Heartworm Subsidy Program was implemented to encourage adopters to get heartworm treatment for positive dogs.

In March 2020, COVID ended all of DASF’s public events, and the shelter was open by appointment only.

DASF organized and funded an Emergency Pet Food Pantry in partnership with the shelter.

From March 2020 through December 2020, DASF fed 4,402 pets.

DASF arranged to provide pet food to five local nonprofit agencies for broader distribution.

In 2020, $43,000 was spent on emergency veterinary assistance to individual owners’ pets.

Free Rabies and Discounted Vaccine Clinics were held at the TCAP veterinary office.

As of March 2021, the shelter live release rate was 95%, according to shelter management.

In 2022, DASF Free Rabies and Discounted Vaccine Clinics resumed at the shelter.

The Emergency Pet Food Pantry fed almost 500 pets a month.

DASF joined the city Homeless Coalition to provide pet food, supplies, and emergency veterinary care in the homeless encampments.

The Board approved the Emergency Pet Food Pantry as a permanent program.

Chairman Sherman mentored two groups that formed charities modeled after DASF.

The Pet Food Pantry reorganized, as DASF was requested to assume distribution for a period of time.

Citizens of Denton approved a $15.8 million bond to renovate and expand the Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center.