Texas animal rescue group helps ‘influx' of missing dogs and cats as floodwaters recede: ‘Thousands of pets out there'
Rescue group Kerrville Pets Alive has already taken in 40 animals separated from their owners and received 100 reports of either lost or found pets since Friday's hellish floods.
'We are seeing an influx of animals because the water is receding,' Karen Guerrero, founding member of the nonprofit, told The Post on Monday. 'There are thousands of pets out there.'
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4 Kerrville Pets Alive is a volunteer organization looking for lost pets in the wake of the devastating floods in Texas.
LP Media
Kerrville Pets Alive is looking to reunite pets with their owners, and find pets whose owners may have died in the tragic flooding.
Volunteers are also looking through wreckage to find the bodies of pets that didn't survive the once-in-a generation flooding.
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Sadly, the group is already handling about 20 dead pets.
But one that emerged from the devastation was a 'brave' Whippet whose owners were killed in the floods.
'She's by herself,' said Lauren Singleton, a 33-year-old Kerrville resident and teacher who is fostering the orphaned pooch.
4 Lauren Singleton, 33, is fostering a dog whose owners died in the Texas floods.
LP Media
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'I have pets of my own so as soon as I saw they were needing help and support, the first thing I did was step up and foster.'
'She's so sweet, too. She's been giving me kisses,' Singelton said, adding the dog is skittish.
Eventually, the Whippet will head to a breeder.
'I'm happy she's not going to be in the kennel,' Singleton said. 'She will have a safe space to go lay down and have a good night's rest.'
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Volunteers expect there will be about 50 dogs and 50 cats up for adoption. There have been about 15 reunions so far.
4 Kerville Pets Alive expects to have 50 cats and 50 dogs who will be up for adoption.
LP Media
'It's just incredible,' Guerrero said.
The death toll from the catastrophic Texas floods surpassed 100 on Monday as rescue workers continue to sort through the destruction looking for survivors.
Meanwhile, the volunteers from the Kerrville Pets Alive have been on the hunt for beloved pets.
One of those volunteers, Kelly Kirby, 50, came from San Antonio to help look for lost animals.
'This was somebody's baby,' she said holding a dead Cockatiel after coming back from her search near the river. 'It's heartbreaking.'
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4 Kerville Pets Alive has reunited about 15 pets with their owners so far.
LP Media
Kirby, whose family lives in the area, said she's been hoping she can reunite pets with their owners.
'We have just been whistling and calling them out and seeing if we can see any pets that are alive or deceased,' she said.
Looking for human victims of the flood, she said, was too much.
'I didn't think I had the heart to help on the human side, Kirby said. 'I just don't know if I can do that. But I know I can help on this side.'
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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Texas animal rescue group helps ‘influx' of missing dogs and cats as floodwaters recede: ‘Thousands of pets out there'
KERRVILLE, Texas — Volunteers have been scouring the flood ravaged Hill Country landscape in Texas looking for lost and frightened pets, sometimes whistling in the wasteland in the hopes of encouraging a timid dog or cat to come forward. Rescue group Kerrville Pets Alive has already taken in 40 animals separated from their owners and received 100 reports of either lost or found pets since Friday's hellish floods. 'We are seeing an influx of animals because the water is receding,' Karen Guerrero, founding member of the nonprofit, told The Post on Monday. 'There are thousands of pets out there.' Advertisement 4 Kerrville Pets Alive is a volunteer organization looking for lost pets in the wake of the devastating floods in Texas. LP Media Kerrville Pets Alive is looking to reunite pets with their owners, and find pets whose owners may have died in the tragic flooding. Volunteers are also looking through wreckage to find the bodies of pets that didn't survive the once-in-a generation flooding. Advertisement Sadly, the group is already handling about 20 dead pets. But one that emerged from the devastation was a 'brave' Whippet whose owners were killed in the floods. 'She's by herself,' said Lauren Singleton, a 33-year-old Kerrville resident and teacher who is fostering the orphaned pooch. 4 Lauren Singleton, 33, is fostering a dog whose owners died in the Texas floods. LP Media Advertisement 'I have pets of my own so as soon as I saw they were needing help and support, the first thing I did was step up and foster.' 'She's so sweet, too. She's been giving me kisses,' Singelton said, adding the dog is skittish. Eventually, the Whippet will head to a breeder. 'I'm happy she's not going to be in the kennel,' Singleton said. 'She will have a safe space to go lay down and have a good night's rest.' Advertisement Volunteers expect there will be about 50 dogs and 50 cats up for adoption. There have been about 15 reunions so far. 4 Kerville Pets Alive expects to have 50 cats and 50 dogs who will be up for adoption. LP Media 'It's just incredible,' Guerrero said. The death toll from the catastrophic Texas floods surpassed 100 on Monday as rescue workers continue to sort through the destruction looking for survivors. Meanwhile, the volunteers from the Kerrville Pets Alive have been on the hunt for beloved pets. One of those volunteers, Kelly Kirby, 50, came from San Antonio to help look for lost animals. 'This was somebody's baby,' she said holding a dead Cockatiel after coming back from her search near the river. 'It's heartbreaking.' Advertisement 4 Kerville Pets Alive has reunited about 15 pets with their owners so far. LP Media Kirby, whose family lives in the area, said she's been hoping she can reunite pets with their owners. 'We have just been whistling and calling them out and seeing if we can see any pets that are alive or deceased,' she said. Looking for human victims of the flood, she said, was too much. 'I didn't think I had the heart to help on the human side, Kirby said. 'I just don't know if I can do that. But I know I can help on this side.'
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
As Texas flood waters recede, efforts to rescue pets intensify
As the search for signs of life in flood-stricken Texas Hill Country continue, the race to save pets impacted by the devastation is on. Non-profit pet shelter Austin Pets Alive! has taken in over 230 animals primarily from shelters impacted by the floods that began July 4. The shelter said in a July 6 blog update it is coordinating a volunteer search and rescue group to find animals in impacted areas. The shelter also said it is seeking donations to provide support to families that have lost pets, including body recovery and cremation services. "It's been devastating for all living beings," Dr. Ellen Jefferson said in a July 6 Facebook post. "So many people are searching for their pets that are the last connection they might have to a lost family member. Pets are so intertwined in this saga and it's so important." Suzie Chase, the shelter's community affairs officer, told USA TODAY in a July 7 interview that the Austin shelter has served as a sanctuary for pets who have lost their family in the destruction the storms wrought. "We've had some cases where extended family members have asked us to foster animals because the animal's family perished in the floods," Chase said. "The extended family members just need to be able to figure out what to do next with the dogs and cats that have been located." Chase said that it is not the first time the shelter has been a part of a large-scale animal rescue, pointing to efforts following Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri. Lindsay O'Gan, the shelter's Instructional Design Manager who is in Kerrville with the rescue and reunification efforts, said in an interview with USA TODAY that the devastation in Central Texas was "hard to describe." "It happened so fast. In the same way we are seeing so much human missing and casualty ... I think the numbers are going to be much higher than we realize," O'Gan said. "Maybe 80%, 90% of the animals that are reported to us are lost, their owners are also lost or deceased." Texas flooding death toll hits 104: Hard-hit areas face new flooding risks Pet reunifications bring respite One of the pets the shelter was able to reunify with surviving family was Superman. The medium-sized mixed breed was found in the debris and was wary of rescuers, snapping at them before they earned his trust. "His surviving family, now grieving and having lost everything, are doing everything they can to hold on to the last piece of their past that remains," the shelter wrote in the July 6 Facebook post. O'Gan noted that the staff at Kerrville Pets Alive!, where the recovery effort is based, continued their work despite connections to the unfolding tragedy. "They've lost their own family members, or they've lost their own friends, or they've just had tragedy rolling in on their phones as they are working and they would keep going," O'Gan said. "I can't imagine what it's like, that it's in their own community and they have their own losses to deal with but they just keep going." She described the moments when pets can be reunified with families as, "Christmas, New Years and birthdays all combined." "We all really absorb those moments, because they are so rare," O'Gan added. What does the pet shelter need? On its website, Austin Pets Alive! said its largest need is monetary donations. The shelter also said the following supplies are needed: Chase noted that the list on its website is updated as needs change. O'Gan added that the shelter will need support long after the waters recede. "There's always this outpouring of support right after a disaster that dries up and I understand that as folks move on," O'Gan said. "We're going to be working on this for the next months after the news moves on. Hopefully they'll keep us in their thoughts and keep sending those donations because they are going to be needed for the foreseeable future."
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Time Business News
Tips for Choosing a Harness Your Dog Will Love
Finding the right harness for your dog is like finding the perfect pair of shoes—it makes all the difference. A bad harness? That's a recipe for Houdini escapes or a chafed pup. But with so many options out there, picking the best dog walking harness can feel like shopping for jeans—overwhelming and full of trial and error. A good harness isn't just about keeping your dog from dragging you like a sled team. It spreads pressure evenly across their chest and shoulders, which is way kinder than a collar that chokes or strains. Got a puller? A tiny dog with a delicate trachea? Or a breed with a build that defies logic? The right harness is not only safer for them but helps you both breeze through walks like a dream team. Before you hit 'add to cart,' size matters. Bust out that measuring tape and get your dog's chest and neck measurements. A harness should fit snugly, like a tailored suit—secure but not restrictive. Breed matters too. Bulldogs with their barrel chests need different designs than a svelte Whippet. And let's not forget puppies—they grow faster than your patience, so opt for an adjustable one that can keep up. Then there's your dog's personality. Got an escape artist? Look for harnesses with extra security features. Lazy strolls? A lightweight step-in harness might be your go-to. Hiking or leash-tugging marathons? Padded straps and reinforced stitching are your new best friends. Harnesses come in a variety of flavors, and each has its perks. Front-clip harnesses attach at the chest, ideal for dogs who think walks are a tug-of-war match. Back-clip harnesses? Perfect for those calm, Instagram-ready struts. Step-in harnesses are a breeze for dogs who give you side-eye when you try to slip something over their head. And if you have a reactive dog or want precision steering, side D-ring harnesses are like the power steering of dog gear. Even the comfiest harness might feel a little 'what is this sorcery?!' to your dog at first—kind of like breaking in new shoes, but with extra side-eye. Start small. Let them rock it around the house like a runway model (short sessions, heavy on the treats and praise). Gradually build up the time, and keep an eye out for any 'get this thing off me' vibes. If your pup acts like you just dressed them in medieval armor, don't freak out—patience, squeaky toys, and treat bribes work wonders. Before every walk, channel your inner inspector. Loose straps? Chafing? Wear and tear? Fix it up or swap it out—your pup deserves their harness in top-notch shape. A snug fit is the holy grail: two fingers under the straps, no more, no less. And if you're conquering nighttime walks, reflective strips are a must (because looking cool and staying safe is the vibe). Bonus points for padded harnesses that feel like a cozy hoodie, not an itchy sweater. The right harness isn't just dog gear—it's a lifestyle upgrade. When your pup is comfy, secure, and strutting their stuff, every walk becomes less of a chore and more of an epic adventure. So grab that dream harness, hit the great outdoors, and prepare to turn sidewalks into your personal catwalk (or should we say dogwalk?). Your dog deserves it—and, honestly, so do you. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
