ASPCA Supporting Houston SPCA in Assisting Animals Displaced by Flooding Following Hurricane Harvey

Houston, Texas——In support of the Houston SPCA, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is deploying its disaster response team to assist in the transport and relocation of animals displaced by severe flooding following Hurricane Harvey in Harris County, Texas. At the direction of the Houston SPCA, the ASPCA is providing critical sheltering supplies and helping to distribute provisions to serve animal victims of this unprecedented and life-threatening flooding.

The ASPCA’s search-and-rescue, sheltering and relocation teams are also actively engaging several municipalities in both Texas and Louisiana to deploy much-needed responders to Harvey-impacted areas. The ASPCA is assisting the Galveston County Animal Resource Center with the transport and relocation of approximately 120 homeless animals from Galveston County to shelters in Austin and Dallas, as well as assisting with the transport of approximately 100 animals who were evacuated with their families from the Beaumont, Texas area to a shelter in Alexandria, La.

“Even in the wake of this enormous crisis, the city of Houston is well-served by the Houston SPCA, and we’re proud to support their work by providing valuable resources and supplies to at-risk animals and pet owners devastated by the impact of Hurricane Harvey,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA. “This is a big part of the ASPCA’s overall effort in the affected areas, including on-the-ground work in Galveston and parts of Louisiana to help ensure the safety of animals in need.”

“As the unimaginable devastation brought on by Hurricane Harvey continues to unfold, the resilience and strength of our community will not be shaken as we come together, neighbors serving neighbors,” said Patricia Mercer, president of the Houston SPCA. “We welcome the ASPCA’s efforts here in Houston and along the Gulf coast as they help make an impact in our community.”

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.

ASPCA Media Contacts:
Emily Schneider, [email protected], 646-784-5111
Rebecca Goldrick, [email protected], 917-628-9780