Emergency relief is important in crisis situations but many do not consider the plight of the vulnerable ones, the ones who can do nothing for themselves—our pets.
When Hurricane Harvey was approaching in August 2017, the SPCA of Texas took immediate action and preventative measures to ensure the safety and care of animals.
They took in animals from several shelters along the coast in order to free up space for emergency relief. People along the coast could then use the space in the shelters to house their pets close to home while they went to emergency shelters themselves.
SPCA of Texas has a shelter in Dallas, a shelter in McKinney and a clinic in South Dallas.
Several areas were being evacuated to a mega shelter created in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre. When the SPCA of Texas became aware of this, they worked alongside the city of Dallas to build an emergency relief shelter just two blocks away from the makeshift shelter. Evacuees were able to leave their pets in the emergency relief shelter.
“Evacuees were able to come and visit their pets at any given point in time of the day and there was no time limit or no restrictions on how many times they could come visit,” said Victoria Albrecht, Communications Manager at the SPCA of Texas. “The emergency relief shelter was manned 24/7 with staff, volunteers and with partners like RedRover and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.” ASPCA is not affiliated with the SPCA of Texas.
The emergency relief shelter also had a veterinarian on staff at all times in case any issues occurred. Most animals are usually treated like family members, they’re used to having the run of the house and sleeping in bed with mom and dad, a lot of these animals have never been crated or stayed at a boarding facility. Having the pets in such proximity to their owners with open access to their pets during this time helped ease the stress of both the owners and the pets.
“Yes, the people were terrified and didn’t know what to expect, but the animals were also feeling the same kind of distress,” said Albrecht.
“We offered long term housing and care for pets of evacuees at both our Jan-Rees Jones Animal Care Centre in Dallas and then also at our emergency animal shelter at the Old Reunion Arena parking garage [next to the mega shelter],” said Albrecht.
SPCA of Texas was overwhelmed with the support they received from the public, corporate sponsors and the community. They received both monetary donations and product donations (bedding, towels, pee pads, leashes, collars, kitty litter, food, etc.) from both the United States and abroad.
SPCA of Texas staff and volunteers worked long days at the emergency relief shelter and they, “did it the entire time with a smile on their face,” said Albrecht.
“In the time of tragedy it was such a beautiful thing to see,” said Albrecht, “you saw people put aside their differences [to come] together for the greater good of the animals.”
Since Aug. 24, the SPCA of Texas has provided aid to over 600 pets. They’ve transferred more than 200 pets from shelters and have given them new homes.
“For me personally, it was a very eye-opening experience and I’ve never been more honoured and more grateful to be part of such an amazing organization,” said Albrecht.
“The SPCA of Texas will continue to assist pets and people in need on the Texas coast as needed in a significant way and for ongoing and future natural disasters,” said Albrecht.
The SPCA of Texas is happy to receive any help offered, you can make a difference today by giving online or volunteering your time.
The Etobicoke Humane Society is an organization that is completely volunteer run and coordinates many overseas dog rescues. Volunteer Manager of Adoption and Intake of the Etobicoke Humane Society dog shelter, Larisa Duravetz has been working there for the past three years and organizes the overseas adoptions.
One of Duravetz’s contacts had also volunteered after Hurricane Katrina. She reached out because she was going down to Texas to volunteer following Hurricane Harvey. Etobicoke Humane Society was able to coordinate with the Texas rescue and select five adoptable dogs in good health to rescue. The rescue partner spent her week off from her full-time job commuting there and back. The shelters in Texas were overwhelmed because of the hurricane and were trying their best to relocate their adoptable dogs both domestically and abroad.
“We have the happy job of finding these dogs a home,” said Duravetz.
Overseas rescues provide any veterinary care needed: blood work, clean bill of health, spayed/neutered and all the paperwork is prepared in English. No behavioural issues. The animals usually get adopted in 1-2 weeks of their arrival.
Duravetz lived in Taiwan and did rescue work for six years, when she moved back to Canada she already had established connections. She saw that there were so many dogs in need overseas and such a love for rescue dogs. People were willing to adopt and there was room in Canadian shelters so she thought it was a great opportunity to continue to help the dogs by bringing them overseas for adoption. Through this adoption process she has been able to establish international partnerships.
Overseas rescues that are a part of Duravetz’s network will reach out to the Etobicoke Humane Society, if a dog is a good candidate to come overseas and a flight is available. If Etobicoke Humane Society has the capacity to take in the dog, they will accept the dog at their shelter.
Happily, four out of the five rescues have been already been adopted! One sweet girl named Lola is still available for adoption.
