Severe flooding in Kerr and Williamson counties has led to the evacuation of more than 60 pets to Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) over the past 24 hours, as local shelters scramble to cope with rising water and overwhelmed facilities.
According to Fox 7, APA!’s veterinary team has been on the ground in Kerr County, helping assess animals displaced by the floodwaters. The organization was able to completely clear out the Kerr County shelter, relocating pets to facilities closer to their original homes when possible.
Williamson County Shelter Overwhelmed After Georgetown Evacuation
In Williamson County, APA! also stepped in to help foster pets from the Regional Animal Shelter, which had already taken in more than 100 evacuated animals from the Georgetown Animal Shelter.
By Saturday morning, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) issued an urgent appeal for foster volunteers, reporting that it had received an additional 75 cats and 37 dogs, pushing the facility to the brink of capacity.
“We expect even more animals from flood-affected parts of Williamson County,” the shelter stated. “Fostering helps create space for newly displaced pets in need of urgent care.”
Dozens of Pets Placed in Foster Homes
By Saturday evening, WCRAS shared positive news on social media: 91 cats and 48 dogs had been placed in foster homes. One dog and one cat were reunited with their families, while seven families adopted pets.
“As amazing as these numbers are, there are still many, many animals waiting for homes,” the shelter wrote.
To manage the influx, the shelter activated emergency protocols, limiting public services to fostering, adoption, and lost-pet reunification efforts.
County Declares Emergency, Shelters Call for Help
In response to widespread evacuations, Williamson County officials declared a local emergency on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, shelters continue to request community support.
If you live near Williamson County, donations of dog and cat food or other pet supplies can be dropped off at WCRAS. Residents near Kerr County are encouraged to donate to Kerrville Pets Alive! at 2102 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville.
Both shelters are urging the public to help however they can — by fostering, adopting, or donating — as Texas grapples with the fallout of historic flooding.
