Record winter storms may be releasing their grip somewhat on much of the nation, but many people remain cut off from power, their livelihoods and each other. Thoughts especially turn to the most vulnerable among us.
Here are more than a few hearty souls who have doubled down to help animal companions and their wild brethren:
Police officers in Southlake, Texas, were unable to verbally coax “Shadow,” a black lab, out from the center of a frozen lake. But that did not stop the resourceful team from using poles as ice breakers, ropes and an inflatable raft to pull the dog to safety. Shadow’s human family got the ultimate Valentine’s Day present.
For 12 hours last Tuesday, Marion County, Ohio, was under a level-3 snow emergency. Unsure if she would able to get to her job as a kennel tech at the Marion Area Humane Society Shelter the next day, 18-year old Emily spent the night at the shelter feeding, playing with and loving on every resident. Emily piled a few dog beds and blankets inside one kennel next to long-term resident bull-terrier mix, Flo.
Volunteers plucked more than 5,000 cold, stunned sea turtles from the frigid waters off South Padre Island in the gulf. Our shelled friends have found refuge at the Sea Turtle Conservation Facility and the South Padre Island Convention Center. Slowly, the turtles are thawing out and showing signs of life.
Officials at the Houston Humane Society did not wait for an historic winter to ravage local pets and their low-income parents. The group has donated palate-fulls of crates and dog food to residents, many of whom keep pets outdoors given the area’s usually temperate climate and limited indoor space.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue in South Florida dispatched a fleet of trucks filled with supplies to storm-ravaged areas in Texas. One animal rescue that reached out reportedly had 300 dogs in a barn with no power, propane or water because their pipes were frozen solid. Retrieving provisions was impossible because the roads were iced over. The Dog Ranch Rescue will return to Florida with as many animals as their empty trucks will hold.
Though power has been restored at Austin Pets Alive, the need for supplies including water, portable chargers, diesel fuel for dog kennel generators, flashlights and warm clothing for volunteers remains urgent. Please contact cold@AustinAnimalCenter.com. Austin Pets Alive brings special-needs children together with abused and neglected animals to create a haven of hope and healing for both.
Please also consider donations to one or more of the farm animal sanctuaries in affected regions including Rowdy Girl, Rescue Ranch, and Austin Farm Sanctuary.
Thank you.