EAST TEXAS, (KLTV) – New World screwworm concerns in Texas are preventing some rescued East Texas dogs and cats from leaving the state on transport flights.
East Texas shelters had more than 60 animals lined up for a Wings of Rescue transport to out-of-state partners and adoptive homes, but some destination states are no longer accepting animals from Texas as a precaution.
The change means fewer animals can be placed out of state and shelters say that could worsen crowding.
“They were already promised a forever home up there, and now, they are still here,” said Kat Cortelyou, Executive Director of Pets Fur People.
Kansas Pierce, director of the City of Athens Animal Shelter, said New York and Pennsylvania — two of the shelter’s biggest destination states — have paused intake of animals from Texas.
Pierce said 54 dogs and cats from the Athens shelter were scheduled to fly next week. Now, only 28 dogs are still expected to be able to leave, headed to Maryland, which is still accepting animals. Pierce said some of the dogs left behind include Natasha, a Great Pyrenees mix and her two puppies.
“That flight would have probably wiped out almost our whole adoption floor,” Pierce said. “Which is amazing, but we would have been full again in a day or two.”
Pets prepare to be flown out of state in February 2026.(KLTV)
At Pets Fur People, Cortelyou said transports are key to managing capacity and any reduction in out-of-state placements creates a bottleneck.
“We had 10 dogs going, and now we are down to 8,” Cortelyou said. “If Maine closes its borders, then we won’t have any leaving.”
Cortelyou said the slowdown is hard on shelters and the animals waiting for placements.
“It’s really sad for us, it’s sad for the animals,” Cortelyou said. “It slows things down and creates a bottleneck that we don’t know we are going to be able to overcome.”
The two dogs at Pets Fur People left behind are Rocky and Butterball, who were set to fly to the restricted states.
Until out-of-state options reopen, Pets Fur People and the Athens Animal Shelter are asking the community to help by fostering, which they say provides temporary relief and space for incoming animals.
As of now, Wings of Rescue’s next transport flight is scheduled for June 27.
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