AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s been a little more than six months since the devastating July 4 flooding took place across Central Texas.

The flooding killed many people, destroyed homes and left a wake of damage and destruction that people are still dealing with to this day.


Central Texas floods spotlight need for Clear the Shelters

“When we heard about the flooding in Kerr County, we immediately deployed,” Suzie Chase with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) said.

APA! took in animals across Central Texas and had volunteers on the ground helping to reunite animals with their owners.

The nonprofit has had more than 1,000 animals linked to the flooding adopted since July 4, but some animals are still in need of a home.

APA! said they have 40 animals in foster homes, and four dogs and five cats in the shelter, all of which either lost owners, were surrendered or never reunited with their owners after the flooding.


‘He was so scared’: 911 call log shows how Travis County responded to July flood

Some animals were microchipped and found their way back to their owners, but some pet owners lost their homes and couldn’t immediately take them back, so APA! helped get them into temporary foster care.

“There were some families that unfortunately lost their homes and lost the ability to take care of an animal immediately,” Chase said.

There were more tragic cases as well, like Hulk, whose owner died in the flooding.

“He’s around 3 to 4 years old,” said Erin Taylor, who is fostering Hulk.

Taylor said after losing her dog, she felt the urge to foster and signed up.

She brought in Hulk the day after the July 4 flooding.

“We got home around 5 p.m., it was a Saturday and I thought this dog is probably very traumatized, but one thing I have learned about Hulk is he is very resilient,” said Taylor.

She said the plan was to watch over him until some of the owner’s family could take Hulk back, but now he has become adoptable.

“It just became apparent that their situation, they are still working to rebuild their lives, I thought it was really kind of them and they were thinking about his best interests,” Taylor said. “He still has so much energy, but the good thing about him is he is completely house trained, leash trained, eager to please.”

Taylor said she hopes Hulk will find a home soon, but until then, she will continue to foster him.

“Once you see them placed in a good home, it makes it all worth it,” said Taylor.

Click here for more information on fostering dogs or cats available for adoption.