AUSTIN, Texas — Rescuers rushed to save dozens of animals after flooding from Tropical Storm Edouard severely damaged a small shelter in Livingston, Texas.
Lindsay Ogan, disaster coordinator for Austin Pets Alive!, said she began reaching out to shelters in the area as the flooding threat grew. One small rescue in Livingston was in especially dire conditions after losing power, taking on heavy floodwater and being hit by falling trees.
“A bunch of the kennels where the dogs were were physically damaged,” Ogan said. “They also had snakes swimming around, and a dog got bit by a venomous snake.”
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About 20 cats and around 20 dogs were inside as the water continued to rise. With evacuation options running out, friends of the rescue loaded the animals into their cars and drove them to Austin Pets Alive!.
Ogan said Austin Pets Alive! took in about 15 dogs and all 20 cats. A few of the dogs were placed with homes closer to Livingston, but many still needed immediate help.
“In the animal world, none of that exists,” Ogan said. “There are no pet first responders. There’s no branch of the government to come swoop in with boats and come save the puppies and kitties out of the water.”
Rescuers rushed to save dozens of animals after flooding from Tropical Storm Edouard severely damaged a small shelter in Livingston, Texas. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Once the animals arrived in Austin, they received medical care and spent the night packed into the shelter. Ogan said cages were stacked “to the ceiling” as staff worked to find foster homes.
Several kittens, including some mothers with babies, along with seven Chihuahuas and other small- to medium-sized dogs, still need fosters.
The animals had spent a frightening night in a flooded home without electricity as the storm continued. Ogan said one dog became so scared during another round of storms that it jumped out of a window and was injured. That dog has since received medical care and is now in foster care.
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About 20 cats and around 20 dogs were inside as the water continued to rise. With evacuation options running out, friends of the rescue loaded the animals into their cars and drove them to Austin Pets Alive! (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Ogan said the people who helped transport the animals were also dealing with their own losses in Livingston.
“Their own homes are destroyed, and the town is really suffering right now,” Ogan said. “They were very tired and traumatized themselves, but they got the animals to us, and they had somewhere safe to sleep.”
She said the animals were already beginning to recover after arriving in Austin, with some wagging their tails and appearing more comfortable the next morning.
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Some dogs were having to walk through water that was up to their shoulders after the flood. (Austin Pets Alive!)
The Livingston shelter is expected to need major repairs before it can safely house animals again.
Anyone interested in fostering, adopting, volunteering or donating can learn more at Austin Pets Alive!’s website. Ogan said people with limited space or other pets can still help, because the organization works to find animals that fit each home.