How to Help the Animals of Harvey

Rescued Pets Movement volunteers at George R. Brown Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Laura Carlock) 

Harvey has unleashed fury on our city causing historic flooding, enormous loss and total devastation for so many residents of Texas. The other victims of this catastrophic storm are the animals - some of which were already homeless, some of which were left behind by their owners (whether on purpose or separated not by choice). It is a heartbreaking situation for these animals that depend on us.

There’s a way that you can help them throughout the Harvey recovery efforts. Jodie Jones Eisenhardt, who volunteers for Rescued Pets Movement, said, “Traditional rescue efforts in Houston are amazing but it's just not enough for the problem this city has with stray and abandoned animals - and that was before Harvey.”

On Monday, RPM board members and volunteers delivered 40 large bags of dog food, 75 pet carriers/crates, 100+ leashes, 25 collars, 15 large bags of kitty litter and much more to George R. Brown Emergency Center. The efforts are just getting started.

Jodie said an estimated half a million homeless animals roam the Houston streets every day. Harvey’s impact will only worsen this situation. The Rescue Pets Movement, along with so many other Houston rescue groups, are currently seeking supplies, donations, fosters and volunteers.

Rescued Pets Movement volunteers at George R. Brown Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Laura Carlock) 

Looking for a place to start? RPM shared their Amazon wish-list here. The groups also posted the following information on their Facebook page on Aug. 29 with more ideas on how you or even someone across the country you know can help out:

Rescued Pets Movement is currently communicating with organizations around the nation who want to help Houston's displaced and already homeless pets. We are currently getting organized and vetting the organizations that are contacting us. The entire nation is looking at Houston feeling like their hands are tied and wanting to help. We need to get the nation engaged NOW. Once the waters recede, things are going to get insane, and RPM is readying itself to save as many animals as we can. We have saved over 23,000 homeless pets in under 4 years, and now that the nation wants to help, we can save many, many thousands more in the next few months. Here is where things stand and what we need from Houstonians and Americans:

1. We need to reopen our boarding facility at The Jack C. Alexander Building so we can take in displaced animals through the City and County shelters as soon as the waters recede. We have to have donations to do that. While we encourage you to make donations of supplies to evacuee shelters, monetary donations are our most critical need. To make a donation, please go to http://www.rescuedpetsmovement.org/. I (Laura) am sending out a daily email update to everyone who donates during this crisis so people will know where there money is going.

2. Many of our amazing fosters have been evacuated with their foster pets. We need IMMEDIATE short-term foster families who can take a foster pet or pets for a few short weeks so our displaced foster families can get back on their feet. To learn more about fostering for RPM, please go to http://www.rescuedpetsmovement.org/help/foster/.

3. Become a temporary foster for RPM to help us clear out the animals shelters once the pets start pouring in. This is a SHORT-TERM commitment and will do wonders for all of the animals displaced by Harvey. Again, to learn more about fostering for RPM, please go to http://www.rescuedpetsmovement.org/help/foster/.

Dogs in flood water. (Photo courtesy of Laura Carlock) 

We are begging everyone to share this post and fundraise for RPM. Again, I am sending out a daily update to everyone who donates so they can stay apprised of the ever-changing situation and know that their money is making a huge impact. Please help us get the nation involved.

Please stay safe,

Your Friends at Rescued Pets Movement

Know of another ways to help out our furry friends? Comment below.