News Summary

Austin Pets Alive! has rescued around 100 animals from shelters in areas affected by severe flooding in Central Texas, as the community comes together to aid both animals and residents. Emergency teams and volunteers are actively searching for lost pets while establishing veterinary support and fostering programs to address the rising needs. The floods have led to significant casualties, underscoring the urgency of support initiatives for displaced animals and their owners amid this devastating situation.

Central Texas Flood Victims: Austin Pets Alive! Rescues Hundreds of Animals as Community Mobilizes for Aid

Austin, Texas – Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) has rescued approximately 100 animals from shelters in surrounding areas impacted by severe flooding in Central Texas and the Hill Country. The organization is responding to an unprecedented crisis, having received animals from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and Kerrville Pets Alive! since last Friday. This effort is part of a larger community response to the crisis, which has tragically resulted in at least 81 confirmed deaths, with many individuals still unaccounted for.

On Sunday afternoon, APA! also accepted another transport of about 30 animals from Hill Country Humane. More animals are anticipated to be brought in, including at least 10 cats from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and a dozen additional cats and kittens from Kerrville. As the need continues to grow, APA! has established a MASH-style veterinary hospital in Kerrville to provide medical assistance for the animals affected by the flooding.

Response Efforts and Volunteer Mobilization

Emergency response teams composed of 20-30 volunteers are actively searching riverbanks to find lost or injured pets. In addition, the APA! Town Lake Animal Center in Austin has become a central hub for accepting and redistributing supplies to the hardest-hit areas, such as Kerrville, Burnet, and Williamson County. Medical teams at the center are performing onsite vaccinations and intake procedures for the incoming animals to ensure their health and safety.

In light of the ongoing situation, APA! is urging the community to step up by fostering animals, particularly those requiring special care, such as cats with ringworm. Volunteers can offer temporary homes for dogs on sleepovers or even longer, and no prior experience is necessary. Urgent needs are especially highlighted for foster families for cats, as shelters are facing an overwhelming number of animals needing immediate care.

Tragic Impact on Local Residents

The floods have created a dire situation for both humans and animals. Among the victims is a brown dog named Superman, who was left homeless after his owner perished in the flood. He is currently receiving temporary foster care while his surviving family searches for him. The community’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of displaced pets is evident in these rescue efforts.

Animal Shelters Under Pressure

In addition to APA!’s efforts, the Georgetown Animal Shelter has evacuated all its cats and dogs to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in response to rising water levels. This shelter is currently operating under emergency protocols, with a focus on reuniting lost pets with their owners. By Saturday evening, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter had received 75 cats and 37 dogs from Georgetown and was already caring for 145 cats and 204 dogs prior to this influx.

Beyond domestic animals, local wildlife is also facing adversity. Austin Wildlife Rescue has reported taking in more than 70 birds, squirrels, deer, rabbits, turtles, and various other wild creatures in need of assistance due to the flooding.

Community Support Initiatives

As the region grapples with the aftermath of the flooding, various support initiatives are being launched. Notably, the MuttNation Foundation, led by celebrity Miranda Lambert, has announced a fundraiser aimed at providing aid to displaced animals in the area. This initiative underscores the strong spirit of community support and the collective effort to assist both pets and their human companions affected by this natural disaster.

The rescue activities and coordinated efforts highlight the resilience of the community in the face of tragedy, focusing on compassion for animals in need and the well-being of their human counterparts during these challenging times.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• CBS Austin: APA! Takes in Animals
• Wikipedia: Flood
• KXAN: Austin Rescue Efforts
• Google Search: Central Texas Flooding
• USA Today: Texas Floods Help
• Google Scholar: Natural Disasters
• WFAA: Kerrville Flooding Help
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
• KVUE: Williamson County Evacuation
• Google News: Texas Flooding Animal Rescue

Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER

The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.