Nonprofit organizations deliver essential supplies to animal shelters in the wake of Hurricane Beryl

The Babinski Foundation and Houston PetSet team with animal supplies. (Photo courtesy of Houston PetSet)

On the evening of Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 2 nonprofit organizations came together to deliver supplies to local animal shelters in Houston, Texas facing urgent essential needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Additionally, The Babinski Foundation, a shelter and nonprofit based in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, transported 54 rescue dogs and puppies back to its shelter in Minnesota in an effort to provide relief to rescue groups on the front lines of Houston's animal homelessness crisis.¹

Among the animal welfare nonprofit organizations and municipal groups that participated in transporting dogs were Berg Foster Life, S.A.V.E. Rescue, Texas Animal Rescue Rehab, Tootsie Dog Rescue, Lola's Lucky Day, Harris County Pets, and Houston Humane Society.

"The shelters in Houston have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Beryl, due to increased demand and restricted resources," Donna Sutton, executive director at The Babinski Foundation, said in a Houston PetSet release.¹ "We are thrilled to team up with Houston PetSet to bring much needed relief to the everyday heroes who are taking care of the abandoned and stray animals who need it most."

The Babinski Foundation transported 54 rescue dogs to its shelter in Minnesota.

At its peak on July 8, the Category 1 hurricane caused power outages to nearly 3 million homes, schools, and businesses along the Texas Gulf Coast. For more than a week after the storm, hundreds of thousands of residents remained without power, during which heat index levels soared to triple digits in certain areas. According to local officials, at least 23 people have lost their lives as of Sunday, July 21, from storm-related causes including drowning and injuries sustained during the storm and its aftermath, with a large portion of deaths resulting from heat illness, or hyperthermia.²

Having also been affected, local animal shelters are facing significant challenges in accommodating the needs of thousands of additional pets in their care. Moreover, many facilities suffered extensive damage and lost crucial supplies during the storm. With thousands of pet owners and foster families still without power, they have had no choice but to return their pets to shelters and rescue groups. These organizations have been operating at capacity for months without additional kennel space available.¹

One of the rescue dogs getting ready for transportation.

Together, Houston PetSet, a local nonprofit dedicated to addressing Houston's homeless animal crisis, and The Babinski Foundation, worked to provide 10,000 lbs of dog and cat food, 2,000 lbs of cat litter, supplies, and bedding to local groups in need. The rescue team from Minnesota drove through the night to deliver these essentials to organizations local to Houston, including Interfaith Ministries; aniMeals on Wheels; Jacinto City Dog Pound Rescue; Wolly Kitten Club; and various local street feeders, with Houston PetSet coordinating the distribution.

"We are so grateful for partners like The Babinski Foundation who not only replenished much-needed supplies, but also returned to Minnesota with 54 dogs that come from Houston-area groups," said Tena Lundquist Faust, co-president of Houston PetSet, in the release.¹ "This is what collaboration looks like, and we need to continue to build relationships in order to help our city and county solve Houston's homeless animal crisis."

Houston PetSet and The Babinski Foundation have established a consistent partnership over the past several years, working together to relocate Houston dogs to find new homes up north. Through these collaborative efforts, thousands of dogs and cats have been successfully transported to safety and placed in adoptive homes, according to Houston PetSet.

References

1. Houston PetSet and The Babinski Foundation mobilize rescue unit and resources to assist the animals of Houston devasted by hurricane Beryl. News release. Houston PetSet. July 18, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houston-petset-and-the-babinski-foundation-mobilize-rescue-unit-and-resources-to-assist-the-animals-of-houston-devastated-by-hurricane-beryl-302201210.html
2. Nguyen T. Heat-related Texas deaths climb after Beryl knocked out power to millions. USA Today. July 21, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/21/hurricane-beryl-heat-power-outages-victims-officials/74492331007/