Animal Rescues

Animal Rescues

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, people are not the only ones who need a helping hand. Animals of all species have been affected by this disaster. Good samaritans have rescued thousands of pets and animals displaced in the local region.

There has been a Facebook post of two men riding horseback leading livestock through flooded streets. And another of men freeing a horse, in water up to its neck, from its pinn. Several dogs have found a safe haven thanks to strangers. One post shows a small dog clinging to a rail surrounded by surging waters before a man in a trash can poncho came to her rescue. One Instagrammer put his pup first by making his little dog an improvised boat out of a bucket. According to AOL, the dog, Kiwi, was happy to have a dry place to stay afloat. Sinton, Texas, resident Tiele Dockens posted a photo on Facebook of a local golden retriever, Otis, carrying a bag of food. The pooch reached his owner safely according to Weather.com. Unfortunately, there have been reports of people leaving their pets and livestock tied up during this time. Roman Forest Police Chief Stephen Carlisle said, “I promise you, that I will hold anyone accountable that unlawfully restrains their dog in extreme weather conditions,” and, “Dogs are your family members too.” These animals are just as scared as we are and don’t understand what is happening. At one point, motorist Aaron Jayjack stopped for gas in Runge, Texas and a dog he nicknamed “Harvey” hopped into the Jeep to escape the storm. Jayjack was on his way to Austin to pick up his own dogs when Cash, the dog's real name, hoped in. Jayjack was able to find Cash’s family and returned him. One other extraordinary occurrence is when taxi driver William Bruso of Missouri City, Texas found a Cooper’s hawk camping out inside his cab. According to the New York Post, Bruso named his new feathered friend “Sgt. Hurricane Harvey” and eventually handed the bird over to the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition of Houston. “It was a very cool experience,” Bruso told the Post. “I felt very honored that [the hawk] chose to hunker down with me — and was so well-behaved, better behaved than my cousins who come here and wreak havoc … It was a magical experience. This is a bird of prey, a natural-born killer in its normal environment. But this was not a normal situation.”

Diamonds in the Ruff in Abilene, Texas

We are so blessed that hundreds came together in this dire time, not only to help citizens but to help the displaced pets and scared wildlife. These rescuers and volunteers hold a special place in our staff's hearts at Diamonds in the Ruff. Visit People Pets for ways to help these pets and animals, they are in need of a hero.