Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Louisiana, the full extent of the damage is becoming clear, and may of us have been glued to coverage of urgent rescues. With nearly 2 feet of water dropped on the Houston area, deadly floods have left 30,000 people looking for shelter according to Fema Director Brock Long
A storm of this magnitude, with its unprecedented levels of rain and flooding, affects many animals in addition to companion dogs and cats. There is great concern for cows and other livestock whose lives are threatened by the rising waters. Animals that might not first come to mind as hurricane victims. The Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, has been extremely busy taking in wildlife ranging from Hawks to Opossums.
The Seattle Humane and Skagit Humane Society are a part of a network of shelters and national welfare groups across the country, are teaming up to transport adoptable animals out of Texas. Texas animal shelters, already known for overcrowding, are needing to free up space for the victims of Harvey. As search and rescue efforts continue, many found animals are needing care until they can be reunited with their families.
While we would all like to donate $1 million dollars to support various animal welfare groups, like Racheal Ray announced on her Facebook Page, we can still provide a helping hand. For starters, if you have room in your home, you can adopt from local animal shelters in your area who are taking in adoptable animals from Texas. This clears space in Texas shelters in to make room for the urgent rescue cases. You can use social media to spread the word about organizations helping shelters. Share posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and do what you can to get visibility to where it is needed. Through our Paws for Cause campaign we are donating 10% of profits from the sale of our Doggie brackets to support animals shelters.
The work of "regular" people who are stepping up to help in Harvey's wake — with both human and nonhuman rescues — is evidence of the courage and compassion of the American people.
