Latest news with #lostpets
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Hellish Texas flooding leaves 'thousands' of pets missing
Animal rescue groups are desperately searching for 'thousands' of lost pets swept away from their families and homes during the deadly Texas floods. The horrific flash floods have claimed the lives of at least 108 people as of Tuesday afternoon, and officials have confirmed the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery. As authorities continue to search for the 23 people still missing across the state, volunteers are combing through the ruins for lost pets and working to reunite them with their owners. Kerrville Pets Alive, a local animal rescue at the epicenter of the damage, has already taken in 40 animals and received 100 reports of either lost or found pets since Friday, according to the New York Post. 'We are seeing an influx of animals because the water is receding,' Karen Guerrero, founding member of the nonprofit, told the outlet. 'There are thousands of pets out there.' One pup, named Superman, was found alone on a large pile of debris after the floods killed his owner, according to partner animal rescue Austin Pets Alive. 'Fearful and aching after being swept away from his home, Superman was hesitant to trust the search and rescue crews, snapping as they were trying to save him,' the rescue said. 'With patience and a bit of dog-whispering, volunteers were finally able to earn his trust and safely remove Superman from the scene.' The animal rescue said relatives of Superman's owner are doing everything they can to get him back, and the rescue was able to put him in foster care until they are ready to bring him home. CEO of Austin Pets Alive, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, told ABC News Live teams are working around the clock to address the growing needs of hurt and lost animals. 'We are in the thick of it,' she said. 'We are triaging animals that are coming in with medical needs, injured or ill, found by good Samaritans. 'It is overwhelming. There is so much damage; it is surreal. You can't comprehend it until you see it, and it is the stuff that makes nightmares, honestly. 'But, when a pet is found, even if that pet is no longer living, and we're able to identify who it belongs to and let the people know, there's still a sense of relief.' Jefferson explained that her organization worked to relocate animals already in the shelter system before the flood, so they serve as lost and found centers. 'We need to go through the process of making sure that every pet has been identified and that the owners have every opportunity to reclaim before there is ever a hint of re-adopting,' she said. Both shelters have shared dozens of photos of the pets they've rescued in hopes of reuniting them with their owners. 'There's not a single piece of this that has been easy or simple,' Jefferson told CBS News. 'We've been trying to do a little bit of everything down there in this time of chaos and extreme need. 'The number one thing we need right now is funding. We have a lot of people working on this. We have a lot of medical care that is going into this. We have a lot of transports going out of the state. 'We are doing so many different things and we have received, thankfully, a lot of supplies. 'We're still working on medical supplies and other donations like that there's so much to do that we could always take more fosters and volunteer. So, there's really no limits to what people can provide. We need it all.' For every rescue there are dozens of more tales of heartbreak, including the story of William "Bill" Huston and his dog Sage. The owner and his dog were swept away while staying at the HTR Campgrounds. Sage's remains were discovered seven miles down the river, while Huston is still missing.
Fox News
03-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Lost dogs on Fourth of July: How to keep your pet safe
The Fourth of July might be your favorite summer holiday, but for dogs, it's often the scariest night of the year. Across the country, shelters see a huge uptick in lost pets between July 4 and July 6. Some report increases as high as 60%. July 5 is even considered one of the busiest days for animal shelters. So what's going on? Fireworks. Those loud, unpredictable explosions can send even the calmest dogs into full-blown panic mode. In their attempt to escape the noise, many run off through doors, fences, or windows, often traveling far from home before they calm down. While the Fourth of July leads to a big spike in missing pets, dogs can go missing at any time, and being prepared ahead of time can make all the difference. That was the case for Ziggy, a sweet pup from Long Beach, California, who ran off while his family was visiting relatives in Watsonville. One moment, the door was open, and the next, Ziggy was gone. His owner, Surely, was devastated and searched for days with no luck. Months later, hope came through a notification from Love Lost, a free national database that uses AI photo-matching to help reunite lost pets with their families. A dog that looked just like Ziggy had turned up at a shelter in Santa Cruz County. Surely reached out, and to her relief, it was him. After five long months and hundreds of miles apart, Ziggy was finally back home. "When I reunited with Ziggy, it was the most unimaginable feeling," Surely said. "Love Lost brought him back." Loud fireworks, flashing lights and crowds can all be overwhelming for pets. But the good news? With a little planning, you can greatly reduce the chances of your dog going missing during the holiday. 1. Keep pets indoors and secure: Before the fireworks start, bring your dog inside, even if they're usually fine in the yard. Close windows, lower the blinds and draw the curtains to soften the noise and block flashing lights. If you're hosting guests, post a reminder on the door so no one accidentally lets your pet out. 2. Set up a calm, cozy space: Choose a quiet room or area where your dog feels safe. Add their favorite blanket or toy, and consider playing calming music or white noise to help muffle outside sounds. There are also pet-calming playlists and anxiety wraps that can help. 3. Check ID tags and microchips: Make sure your dog's collar tag has your current phone number and that their microchip is registered with up-to-date contact info. If your dog does get loose, this can be the fastest way to get them back. 4. Use a GPS tracker or smart collar: Technology has come a long way when it comes to pet safety. Affordable GPS trackers like the Apple AirTag, Tractive, or Jiobit let you follow your dog's location in real time using your smartphone. Many even let you set safe zones or share tracking with others if your dog goes missing. Just make sure the tracker you choose is durable, attaches securely to the collar, and offers live tracking features, because when every second counts, knowing where your dog is can make all the difference. Check out the five best pet trackers at 5. Register with Love Lost: Take a few minutes to upload a clear photo of your dog to Love Lost, a free, nationwide database powered by AI photo-matching. If your pet ever goes missing, this one step could be the reason they make it home safely. Also, if you find a lost dog wandering in your neighborhood, take a quick photo and upload it to Love Lost. The platform makes it easy to match found pets with their families, and again, it's free to use. The 4th of July can be tough on pets, but it doesn't have to end in heartbreak. July also marks the start of National Lost Pet Prevention Month, so now is the perfect time to take action. Register your dog with a lost pet database, secure your home, and check those ID tags. By planning ahead, you can enjoy the fireworks and keep your best friend safe at home. What's one tip you would share with other pet owners to prevent lost pets? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
CBS News
08-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Chicago Animal Care and Control introduces microchip detection device for lost pets
Chicago Animal Care and Control is rolling out a new tool to help reunite lost pets with their owners faster. The tool is a 24/7 means of scanning for microchips. Animal Care and Control hopes with the new device, they can get some pets back to their homes instead of taking in all the dozens of pets that come in every day. On Wednesday at Chicago Animal Care and Control, there was a steady stream of people dropping off dogs they no longer wanted, and strays. Breanna Feigenbaum brought in a friendly dog she calls Penny, whom she found roaming around the Beverly neighborhood. "I actually don't know her name," Feigenbaum said. "I found her as a stray yesterday afternoon." Penny is one of more than 50 pets executive director Susan Cappello said are brought into Chicago Animal Care and Control each day. To cut down that number, Animal Care and Control has installed the new 24-hour open-access microchip scanning station — a first of its kind in Chicago. The device is set up outside the Animal Care and Control building at 2741 S. Western Ave. Anyone who wants to check if a pet has a microchip can press the button on the scanner and hover over an animal's shoulders. When the scanner beeps, a number will show up. People can then scan the QR code next to the scanner box and input the number — and it will take them to the microchip company to contact the owner. "This is our way to get them reunited a lot quicker than coming into the shelter, being processed, making phone calls, waiting until we open at noon the next day to come in to find your pet," Cappello said. "Let's get them home now." People like Feigenbaum are glad to see the device front and center. "I hope that we have more that are installed throughout the city, because we can definitely benefit from it as a community," she said. As for Penny, even though it turned out she did not have a microchip, Feigenbaum said she hopes that doesn't mean the stray dog's owner won't come calling. "Let's try and get this sweet girl home, pretty please," Feigenbaum said. "She deserves it." Chicago Animal Care and Control said microchips can move around over time, so a pet's entire body should be scanned. The agency also said its facility should be a last resort when leaving pets behind.
