UVALDE, Texas — Austin Pets Alive! has taken in over 270 animals over the past four days as flood response efforts expand across Central Texas, with teams now on the ground in Uvalde and in a neighborhood in Crystal City.
APA! deployed transport teams and volunteers to Kendall County, Kerrville, Boerne, San Antonio, Hondo, Zavala, Uvalde and, Medina County. They have worked to clear animal control facilities so those communities could focus on their residents.
By the end of the day Thursday, APA! stated that they had taken in 68 dogs against just 42 open kennels, with teams working through the night.
Late Friday, APA! received word of a neighborhood near Crystal City that had been completely evacuated as floodwaters rose. Families made it out safely, but were not able to bring their pets with them.
After roughly an hour searching for a way in, the team gained access with help from the local fire department. At around 7 p.m., the first trapped animals were pulled from the water.
Over the next three hours, the team worked to pull animals directly out of flooded homes, including dogs left in kennels that were partially submerged in floodwater.
They stated that one kitten was found trapped in a birdcage inside a flooded shed, where she was later brought to safety.
The team rescued a total of 10 dogs and 7 cats directly from the floodwaters during this time.
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Additionally, APA! is helping coordinate the evacuation of a Uvalde shelter with 53 dogs and 12 cats, all now safe and transferring into APA!’s care.
APA! is asking the Austin community to help by fostering, adopting, volunteering, and donating.