Animal Shelters In Massive Rescue Effort After Texas Floods

Several local animal shelters have joined forces in a massive rescue effort following the flooding that ravaged Central Texas on Friday, July 4. The mission began on July 11. It attempts to see affected animals whisked to safe havens across three states.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA has led the first flight, moving pets to sites in New Castle, West Chester, and Lindenwold and other shelters around New Jersey and Delaware. "When the call came asking for us to step up, we had to say yes," BVSPCA CEO Adam Lamb per NBC Philadelphia. At least 20 dogs and puppies will be rescued and rehomed from this first flight.

A second aircraft will touch down with 20 more animals, split between BVSPCA's West Chester site and the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area. Medical staff stand ready to check each new arrival. Some pets might meet their new families that very day.

The pets come from Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, which sits at the heart of the flood zone. As waters rose, many pets got cut off from their owners, many of whom were forced to flee.

At Williamson County, workers scan each incoming pet for chips and check tags. They post photos online and work the phones, trying to bring families back together. The shelters leading the rescue effort have appealed to community members to donate or adopt from their sites to help the stranded animals.

“As is the case in many shelters, our kennels are also full, but we are grateful to have multiple locations where we can welcome these survivors and give them the promise of a new life,” Lamb remarked. “We know we can count on our community to support this important mission,” he added.