Shelters to the Rescue

Everyone in the United States has heard of the damaging affects Hurricane Harvey left on the people of Southeast Texas. Harvey was such a powerful force that it broke U.S. tropical cyclone rain records and triggered flash flooding in parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The hurricane shook the residents of these locations and changed their lives. But it is not just the people who are left suffering, it is pets as well. Thousands of pets were thought to be displaced or missing. Rescue teams from all over the country came to help the abandoned or lost pets. There was an enormous intake for cities such as Chicago and San Diego, and states such as Connecticut.

PAWS Chicago, a no-kill shelter, was attempting to clear Houston’s shelter capacity before the large group of lost, abandoned, and relinquished pets arrived. Since the hurricane, more than 600 animals have been transported from Houston to Chicago. PAWS Chicago is doing everything they can to medically treat the animals for what they need, while finding them suitable and loving homes.

The California-based Helen Woodward Animal Center worked with Southwest Airlines to fly 64 dogs and cats out from Houston, to San Diego. The animals are getting medical evaluations and treatments, along with vaccinations and spaying/neutering, before being placed for adoption.

The Connecticut Humane Society prepared shelters for the arrival of Houston’s dogs and cats. Shelters in Connecticut followed similar steps to those taken in Chicago and San Diego before placing the animals up for adoption.

These organizations provided a great service to the dogs and cats of Houston, and gave them a second chance at life. By transporting animals that were already in the shelters, the people of Houston will have a better chance of reuniting with their furry friends. The mission of no-kill shelters and humane societies comes down to a basic rule, the animals’ well-being comes first. That is what makes organizations like these, and actions like this remarkable.