PAWS Chicago taking in dogs, cats from Texas in aftermath of deadly floods
A Chicago animal rescue organization is helping overwhelmed pet shelters in Texas in the wake of devastating floods.
PAWS Chicago has taken in nearly two dozen dogs from shelters in Texas, and more are on the way.
Dr. Melissa Goodemote said 4-month-old Cosette was covered in ticks when she came in to PAWS Chicago's Medical Center in Little Village from Texas on Monday night.
"She's got some little scabs in her ear here as well, which are not uncommon in these guys who have had a little bit of a rough start," she said.
Cosette is one of 22 dogs who made the long journey from Texas after PAWS Chicago stepped in and gave relief to Concho Valley PAWS, located in San Angelo, Texas.
"We had volunteers that traveled to Nebraska City Municipal Airport, where they met Wings of Rescue to pull out animals from that disaster-affected region, transport them back to PAWS Chicago safe and sound last night," said Celene Mielcarek, PAWS Chicago's Head of Program Operations.
In the wake of catastrophic flash floods that swept through the Texas hill country starting on July 4, PAWS Chicago partnered with other local organizations to transport pets who were already in Texas animal shelters before the floods began to help make room for animals who have been newly displaced.
That will help allow local shelters in Texas to focus on reuniting families with lost pets who were rescued during the floods.
"So the animals that came to PAWS Chicago were in the shelters prior to the flooding, and now they're going to have a great shot at finding a new life here in PAWS Chicago," Mielcarek said.
Goodemote is one of the veterinarians who examined the dogs after they came in late Monday night.
"We make sure that their vaccines are appropriately boostered. We're going to get them spayed and neutered, of course all of them. They're going to get de-wormed; they're going to get heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention. They're going to get a microchip," she said.
More dogs are on the way. PAWS Chicago will receive another flight carrying dozens of dogs and cats from Austin Pets Alive.
"We're expecting dozens more pets from Texas coming to PAWS Chicago tomorrow," Mielcarek said.
On Wednesday, PAWS volunteers will meet a Dog Is My CoPilot flight at Waukesha County Airport in Wisconsin and transport them to the PAWS Chicago Medical Center in Little Village.
Once those dogs have received the proper medical care, they'll either go into foster homes or to the PAWS Chicago Adoption Center in Lincoln Park, where volunteers will try to help them find a new home.
PAWS Chicago said it will take some time before the dogs from Texas are available for adoption, but when they are, , and they'll be listed as Texas relief pets.
