Latest news with #KerrvillePetsAlive!
USA Today
2 days ago
- General
- 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."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
'Fearful and Aching' Dog Is Rescued After Getting Hurtled by Texas Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A dog named Superman was found frightened and alone atop a pile of debris after catastrophic flash floods tore through Central Texas late last week. Animal rescue Austin Pets Alive! described Superman as "fearful and aching after being swept away from his home." The dog was discovered after "his person" died in the floods. Kerrville Pets Alive! performed a medical evaluation on Superman before placing him in the care of a local foster volunteer. Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for Austin Pets Alive!, told Newsweek that she received "word that 50 cats and kittens are coming into our shelter from another Texas animal shelter that had to evacuate due to flooding." The Context Superman's rescue is among many animal survival stories emerging against the backdrop of the devastation in Central Texas. Local groups like Austin Pets Alive! have also mobilized search teams and established emergency veterinary care for animals separated from their families. The natural disaster has caused at least 81 deaths, with communities across the area reeling from the destruction. Downed trees and other debris float in the Guadalupe River on Friday in Kerrville, Texas. A dog named Superman, inset, was rescued after his owner died in the catastrophic flooding. Downed trees and other debris float in the Guadalupe River on Friday in Kerrville, Texas. A dog named Superman, inset, was rescued after his owner died in the catastrophic flooding. AP Photo/Eric Gay and Austin Pets Alive!/Facebook What To Know Austin Pets Alive! said volunteers worked patiently to earn Superman's trust before bringing him to safety. The dog was then assessed by the group's medical team and placed with a temporary foster family. The shelter said it plans to later reunite Superman with his owner's family. "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—Superman. But they can't do it alone, so we quickly got to work to find their beloved pet a temporary foster until they get back on their feet," the rescue said in a Facebook post. Kerrville Pets Alive! and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter are also working to rescue and recover animals dislodged by the flood. Austin Pets Alive! deployed riverbank search teams of 20 to 30 volunteers and established a mobile veterinary hospital in Kerrville to treat rescued pets, CBS Austin reported. The group reported taking in around 100 displaced animals. Foster families and volunteers have been sought to help care for rescued animals while permanent solutions are found. Major flash floods walloped Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, causing the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet within two hours, triggering evacuations and search operations. The disaster was especially severe in Kerrville and other parts of "flash flood alley." The rapidly rising waters swept away homes and left dozens of people killed, missing or displaced. Search efforts for survivors have included more than 1,000 personnel deployed statewide, including helicopters, boats and drones. Rescue teams advised residents against self-led searches, citing ongoing hazards. What People Are Saying Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Austin Pets Alive! president and CEO, in a statement: "It's been devastating for all living beings. 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." Austin Wildlife Rescue, in a Facebook post: "Please continue to look out for wildlife that might be lost or washed out from the recent floods. If you're not sure if a wild animal needs help or not, please give us a call and our staff will be happy to help." What Happens Next Local, state and federal agencies are expected to continue search-and-rescue missions for people and animals as communities recover from this disaster. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to help with, donate to flood recovery efforts
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Independence Day floods in Kerr County and San Saba County, KXAN viewers asked us how they can help. LIVE BLOG: 13+ fatalities in Kerr County, 20+ children missing from camp after flooding Currently, state and local authorities asked the public to avoid affected areas while they work. Volunteers may get in the way of responders, or get injured or lost — adding to the workload. They also ask that the public not fly aircraft, including drones, into the area. KXAN will update this story with other ways to help relief and recovery efforts. The nonprofit group Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country launched a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund Friday afternoon to take in donations for 'relief and rebuilding efforts.' Donations will go to nonprofits and local governments. They will not be sent directly to individuals or families, nor fund the repair of private property. Austin business El Arroyo said on social media that it will match donations of up to $4,000. Austin Pets Alive! has asked for Austin residents to assist as emergency fosters and to pick up animals from Kerrville. It is working with Kerrville Pets Alive! to get shelter animals out of the area. 'Austin Pets Alive! is in contact with Kerrville Pets Alive! and has a team in Kerr County now to assist with any immediate pet needs,' said APA in a press release. 'We know from experience that this will be a multi-day process, and we are going to need a lot of help to save lives.' Donations of pet food, animal carriers, tarps and towels can be dropped off at the Town Lake Animal Center — 1156 West Cesar Chavez St. — between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. said in a press event Saturday people can learn how to help from the City of Kerrville, TX – City Hall Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
