Operation Kindness is there when we can roll up our sleeves and do our part to make the world a kinder place for animals and the people who love them – especially in the unthinkable times. As we work to help those affected by the July 4 Texas floods, we offer an update on today’s work.
An update to our emergency response:
- To create space for pets being transferred to Carrollton from flood impacted regions, Operation Kindness is waiving all dog adoption fees starting Tuesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 13.
- To prepare for and accommodate incoming animals from Texas floods, Operation Kindness has put out a call for donations and Amazon wish list for everyday items such as paper towels, puppy pads, nylabones, blankets and bath towels and cat toys.
- We are also urgently asking for community fosters to care for available animals in homes, especially for large dogs, creating more space at the shelter for new arrivals. Foster applications are not necessary – just walk into the Earhart shelter and an Operation Kindness staff member will get foster volunteers equipped with everything that is needed.
- On Wednesday, July 9, Operation Kindness traveled to Williamson County, transferring 40 animals to North Texas for care. The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has been a transfer zone for South Texas animals, receiving up to 230 animals in one day following the devastating storms. Footage and b-roll of our work on this operation is available here.
- On Thursday, July 10, Operation Kindness coordinated a relief effort with Wings of Rescue to transfer 9 pets from the San Marcos and San Angelo areas to North Texas. Footage and b-roll of our work on this operation is available here.
- Recognizing the ongoing needs of disaster survivors, Operation Kindness has coordinated with officials in the area to dispatch staff members to Kerrville, Texas, next Tuesday, July 15, to provide free pantry food for affected pet owners. The team will distribute approximately 500 bags of pet food to anyone in need, ensuring that families can continue caring for their animals during this difficult time.
How the Public Can Help
Operation Kindness has established multiple ways for the public to support flood relief efforts. The organization’s Amazon Wishlist serves as the primary channel for supply donations, allowing supporters to send needed items directly to the organization. General monetary donations are also welcome and will be used to fund ongoing operations throughout the organization.
About the Texas Flooding Disaster
The Central Texas floods, which began on July 4th, have resulted in at least 104 confirmed deaths and left numerous individuals missing across multiple counties. Search and rescue operations have continued throughout the region, with over 237 people rescued from floodwaters during the initial response. The disaster has prompted a Major Disaster Declaration and mobilized emergency response efforts across the affected areas.
Camp Mystic and surrounding areas in Central Texas were among the hardest hit by the catastrophic flooding, with ongoing search and rescue operations still underway in some areas. The floods have impacted families throughout the Austin Independent School District and surrounding communities.
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