September 21, 2008

The five little terrier-mix dogs had been left behind on Galveston Island by their owner.  Alone and frightened they watched as the storm surge began to rush into their home.  As the water continued its relentless rise, they jumped to the top of a table and that’s where Houston SPCA rescue teams found them trembling and whimpering in fear.  The high water mark was over their heads and our rescue teams knew in their hearts that these little dogs spent most of the night swimming for their lives.  But they had a strong will to live and thanks to the Houston SPCA, they also have a second chance at life.

Our animal friends lost everything in the storm but hope.  And, thanks to our life-saving efforts we are bringing hope to those animals who so desperately need us. But now…the Houston SPCA needs you!  Please consider making a donation to support the Houston SPCA and help us give storm victims like this little Chihuahua a chance at life.

September 20, 2008
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, The Wildlife Rehab and Education Center is preparing to wash oiled wildlife that has been observed on the Texas Coast. Executive Director of the WR&E Center Sharon Schmalz has contacted the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) Oil Spill Prevention & Response Division to utilize their 40 foot oiled wildlife cleaning trailer. So far, the WR&E Center has received four impacted Brown Pelicans from Galveston and two more are in route. Two of the pelicans are soaked with oil while the other two have an unknown substance on their feathers. Another 20 of this endangered species have been spotted in Galveston, Seabrook and Kemah.

The WR&E Center has responders trained in ICS (incident command system) and HAZWOPER certified (ability to deal with hazardous substances) that are authorized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to care for oil impacted wildlife. If anyone in the general public comes across oiled wildlife do not handle or wash the animal. Call the Houston SPCA Disaster hotline at 713.435.2990 to report the sighting immediately. It is against state and federal laws for the public to handle or wash wild animals.

All oiled wildlife that the WR&E Center receives will be cleaned in the TGLO wildlife trailer which has flash hot water heaters for proper washing. The animals will be set up in a triage, administered rehydrating fluids, once stable they will be washed then dried under heatlamps, encouraged to begin to self feed fish, exercised in flight cages and then finally released back into the wild.

September 19, 2008
There’s now hope for distraught owners of pets lost during Hurricane Ike.  Pet owners in Texas can now search an online, centralized database of pets lost during last week’s severe weather which left hundreds of thousands homeless and separated family members.  Under the direction of the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Pethealth Inc.  and Pets911 , a Disaster Response Pet Portal (DRPP) has been launched.

As animals are rescued and lost animal reports come in to the Emergency Hotline (713-435-2990) being staffed by HSPCA, information is entered into the PetPoint Animal Management system.  Every 15 minutes this data is then uploaded.

Owners who recognize a lost pet on the website can call the hotline and their information will be immediately attached to the animal at the shelter, expediting reunification.

“The loss of a beloved family pet only adds to the anguish of those who have already suffered so much,” said Mark Warren, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pethealth.  “The Disaster Response Pet Portal will help ease the suffering of those who have lost their pets and it will assist those who are trying to rescue them.”

The HSPCA is overseeing animal welfare initiatives in the area including an emergency shelter in Galveston, a community severely affected by the Hurricane.  “Our staff and volunteers are working around-the-clock to rescue pets and reunite them with their families,” said Patricia Mercer, President of the Houston SPCA.  “The online database portal created by Pethealth will make it easier for us ready to care for the thousands of pets which are being rescued in the aftermath and ensure they find their way home as soon as possible.”

“We must remember the animal victims of Ike,” said Corey Lambrecht, Managing Partner, Global Alerts LLC, parent company of Pets911.com, “and support the efforts of the Houston SPCA to come to their rescue and return them to their families.”

“The Disaster Response Pet Portal is about using the Internet to leverage the dedication, expertise and technology available to help in this crisis,” said Steve Zeidman, Chief Technology Officer at PetPoint.


September 18, 2008
In the wake of Hurricane Ike, many animals have been lost, abandoned, and injured on Galveston Island. The Houston SPCA is asking the community to help give these storm victims a second chance at life by participating in “Operation Save a Life.”

The Houston SPCA’s “Operation Save a Life” is asking every family who is able to foster a Galveston pet for ten days.  If after ten days, the displaced animal is not reclaimed by its original owner, the foster parent has the option to adopt the animal or return him/her to the shelter for placement.   

September 17, 2008
Teams from the Houston SPCA loaded tens of thousands of pounds of crates, food, litter, water, newspapers, cleaning and medical supplies, bowls, blankets and other supplies and headed for Galveston.  The closer they got to Galveston, the more tragic the devastation.  They knew they were faced with a tremendous task...creating a safe haven for those in need where there was no shelter from the storm.  The temporary animal shelter was to be located in an old Police Substation.  Advanced crews swept and bleached the floors and moved file cabinets.  Upon arrival our teams assessed the areas and began assembling crates.  A human chain started ferrying supplies from the truck to the emerging shelter under a blazing sun. Before the shelter was even complete or the location announced to the public, people and pets in need found us!  Kind people who had lost everything and experienced personal tragedies beyond belief were bringing lost and frightening pets to us.  In just a few hours earlier had been a dark, dusty abandoned building, a new shiny safe haven...a shelter from the stood whose doors are open to all in need.  And, in a race against time, our teams in the field are conducting their search and rescue missions.  Today we're bringing another 46,000 pounds of supplies to Galveston which will be used at the shelter and distribution to people and pets in need who are living on the Island.

September 15, 2008
The wrath of Hurricane Ike left a site of mass destruction at the Galveston County Animal Shelter in Texas City. the Houston SPCA's Disaster Response team lead by Chief Investigator , Charles Jantzen stepped in on Saturday afternoon to rescue 77 dogs, 65 cats, one rabbit, some parakeets and a pelican along with other wildlife that sheltered in place with staff when the hurricane hit. The high winds and pounding rain ripped holes in the ceilings, causing sheets of water to pout into the shelter leaving behind slick floors and soaked animals. The air conditioner went out due to the power outage in the city causing the animals to survive without sufficient ventilation for hours upon arrival they were moved into the facility where they were provided with food, water and shelter.

The animals were transported to the Houston SPCA in a 48 foot air conditioned trailer. Hours upon arrival they were moved into the facility where they were provided with food, water and shelter. Hours before being rescued by the Disaster Response Team, one cat had given birth to kittens. There are many litters of puppies and kittens in the group along with adult cats and dogs who need loving homes. Many of the animals will be up for adoption at the Houston SPCA, as they will have to take shelter in Houston until their home in Texas City is back to normal.

The Houston SPCA's Animal Response Disaster Hotline will be staffed from 10 am to 6 pm daily to field lost and found reports, rescue reports, and to offer animal related information. The number is 713-435-2990. Messages left after hours will be returned promptly the next morning.  

September 14, 2008:
The Wildlife Rehab & Education is preparing for an influx of wild animal victims of Hurricane Ike. Executive Director Sharon Schmalz said that Ike’s high winds and heavy rain blew baby squirrels from their nests, knocked roosting birds out of trees and literally slammed coastal birds like pelicans and seagulls to the ground.

She urges anyone finding an orphaned baby squirrel or bird to put him/ her in a box with a rag. Do not offer food or water. Residents finding injured or orphaned seabirds should gently toss a towel over the animal and carefully sweep them in a box. The most important thing at this point is to get the animal warm and dry. Please call the Houston SPCA Disaster Hotline for rescue information at 713-435-2990.

September 12, 2008 p.m:
We call ourselves the "Storm Riders."  There are 16 of us who have prepared for the safety of our families and moved our pets, sleeping bags, and suitcases into our offices.  We have volunteered to ride out the storm at the Houston SPCA.  We'll be caring for the hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, chickens, goats and other animals at our shelter during the storm.  Immediately following the storm and as soon as safety permits, we will begin our rescue and recovery efforts.

The Houston SPCA has also activated the Disaster Animal Response Hotline.  Volunteer operators will be accepting calls daily from 10 am to 6 pm about lost and found pets, rescue reports and offering other animal-related information.  The TOLL FREE number is 877-661-0161.

In addition, animal rescuers from around the country including the Denver Dumb Friends League, SPCALA, Humane Society of Missouri, and Code 3 Associates, Inc. and SAWA are sending at our request experience animal rescue technicians and animal care staff to assist us in our life-saving efforts!