Converse Launches Pet Safety Decal Program After House Fire Rescue

New initiative aims to improve emergency response for pets in the community.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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After a house fire in Converse, Texas led to the rescue of three dogs, the city has launched a new program to distribute free window decals that alert first responders to the number of pets in a home. The idea came from Fire Chief Luis Valdez, who realized they needed better accountability for pets during emergencies. The city has already given out 200 free stickers, which residents are enthusiastically displaying in their windows.

Why it matters

The pet safety decal program is a low-cost but impactful initiative that can help improve emergency response and reduce confusion for first responders when pets are involved in a crisis. This is especially important in Converse, where the October house fire incident highlighted the need for better pet safety protocols.

The details

In October, a house fire in Converse led to the rescue of two of Dolores Zarate's three dogs by firefighters. It took nearly an hour to find the third dog, which was eventually revived. This incident inspired Fire Chief Luis Valdez to create a program to distribute free window decals that alert first responders to the number of pets in a home. The city has already given out 200 of these stickers, which residents are enthusiastically displaying.

  • In October, a house fire in Converse led to the rescue of two of Dolores Zarate's three dogs.
  • The city of Converse has already distributed 200 free pet safety window decals.

The players

Dolores Zarate

A Converse resident whose house fire led to the rescue of two of her three dogs.

Luis Valdez

The Converse Fire Chief who launched the pet safety decal program after the October house fire incident.

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What they’re saying

“'I said there were three dogs,'”

— Dolores Zarate (ksat.com)

“'That incident kind of opened our eyes; we needed to do a better job of having that accountability for pets,'”

— Luis Valdez, Converse Fire Chief (ksat.com)

What’s next

The city plans to continue distributing the free pet safety window decals to Converse residents through the animal care services website.

The takeaway

The pet safety decal program in Converse is a simple but effective way for the community to improve emergency response and ensure the safety of beloved household pets during crises. This low-cost initiative demonstrates how local governments can implement practical solutions to address public safety concerns.