ASPCA Assisting Displaced Animals in Galveston, Following Devastating Flooding after Hurricane Harvey

Galveston, Texas—At the request of the Galveston County Animal Resource Center, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has deployed its disaster response team to help assess needs for animals displaced by severe flooding following Hurricane Harvey in Galveston, Texas. The ASPCA is currently working with local shelters to manage the transport and relocation of approximately 120 homeless animals from Galveston County to shelters in Austin and Dallas.

The ASPCA’s search-and-rescue, sheltering and relocation teams are also in multiple locations actively engaging with several municipalities in both Texas and Louisiana to deploy much-needed search-and-rescue as well as sheltering and relocation teams to serve animal victims of this unprecedented and life-threatening flooding. Residents who need assistance with recovering a pet from their home or emergency sheltering for their pets are encouraged to contact their local emergency management agency.

“Hurricane Harvey continues to have a devastating impact on people and pets in Texas and Louisiana, and the ASPCA is committed to doing everything we can to keep endangered animals safe and with their owners,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA.

“This storm has put tens of thousands of Texas residents in crisis – including their animals,” added Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “The ASPCA is committed to providing life-saving assistance to displaced animals in Galveston County, and ensure that these animals are given quality care and put in the best position to reunite with their families if they’ve been separated.”

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team deploys nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering and placement of animals during disaster situations including wildfires, tornadoes and floods. In addition, they work closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. In 2016, the ASPCA rescued nearly 1,600 animals from disaster situations and responded to eight disasters – including Hurricane Matthew and the wildfire in Lake County, California.

More information on the ASPCA’s disaster response efforts can be found here.