Houston-area pet lovers rush to rescue after tornado ravages Pasadena Animal Shelter – Houston Public Media
Lisa Tynan arrived at the Pasadena Animal Shelter at 5 p. m. Wednesday – about two hours after a tornado ripped the roof off a kennel building while dogs were inside.
She saw the particular telltale signs of the tornado, such as collapsed structures and scattered debris, as well as scared, startled looks on the faces of more than 100 animals. Tynan also saw a crowd of fellow pet enthusiasts who had beaten her there.
“There were already dozens of people there helping, which was beautiful to see, ” said Tynan, the marketing and special events specialist for Houston PetSet, which advocates for homeless dogs and cats in the particular area. “The animal welfare community is really a great communicating community, so there was a really quick response. ”
Animal rescue groups and advocacy organizations from across the region sprang into action after the Pasadena Pet Shelter has been one associated with several buildings damaged with a tornado that touched down Tuesday afternoon in the particular Southeast Houston suburb as well because in nearby Deer Park and Pearland. The tornado caused in least EF-2 damage, or considerable damage, according in order to an initial survey Wednesday by the National Weather Service.
The municipal shelter reported in a Tuesday night Facebook post that it would be temporarily closed because of the building harm and a lack of electricity, phone service and running water, adding that all of its creatures and staffers managed to make it through the storm OK. The Pasadena Pet shelter also expressed gratitude in order to individual fosters and rescues as well as businesses such since Houston PetSet and the Houston SPCA, among many others, for taking in most of the dogs plus cats it housed.
Tynan stated 170 dogs and cats were at the facility when the tornado blew via, and all but 23 of them had been placed elsewhere as associated with late Wednesday morning. The particular Houston SPCA took within 27 cats, with assistance from Harris County Pets, whilst Houston PetSet partnered with Lola’s Lucky Day to take in 12 dogs.
“I’m sure the folks at the Pasadena Animal Shelter, they’ve got a lot on their minds, ” mentioned Julie Kuenstle, the vice president of communications with regard to the Houston SPCA. “We’re thinking associated with them and were more than happy to help out and take in these animals and allow them to be available regarding adoptions. We are one of many organizations that will just stepped in and stepped up. ”
The Houston Humane Society is among the other companies to get in some of the displaced cats and dogs, according in order to Tynan. Bayou Animal Services & Adoption Center in Dickinson, the particular City of La Porte Adoption Center & Pet shelter and the Mount Pleasant Avenue Premier Canine Villas & Spa in League City also are housing some associated with the pets, according to their posts on social media.
The particular Pasadena Animal Shelter wrote upon its Facebook page that those interested within housing the particular remaining animals can email [email protected] gov .
“Truck after truck has been loaded with our cats and dogs, inch the shelter wrote. “They have been such a light on the tough mid-day and evening. ”
With the Pasadena shelter closed for the time being, Tynan encouraged anyone who encounters stray canines or pet cats in that part of the particular Houston area to consider briefly housing them while the protection recovers. Another option might be in order to seek the services of other close by shelters or even rescue groups.
Kuenstle and Tynan both said the Houston area has become well-versed in coping with natural disasters and coming to the aid of other community members – whether those in need are people or pets.
“All of the particular animals did survive, which is really quite amazing considering the state that building is in, inch Tynan stated. “Fortunately, it looks like presently there will be a place for all of all of them to go. ”