- February 8, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Hurricane Harvey may have been downgraded to a tropical storm, but the damage has already been done.
The Category 4 Hurricane, which touched down on the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday, Aug. 25, has dumped more than 35 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas since Thursday, according to the Weather Channel.
The flooding has not only displaced many people that were in the storm's path but it has also displaced the many animals that have made Southern Texas home.
However, this has not gone unnoticed by the local community, and residents within Port Orange and Volusia County have been rallying together to provide food, blankets and any items the animals might need. Some of the animals have even made their way from Texas and Louisiana to be rehoused in Florida.
One Port Orange resident, Shirley, who declined to give her last name, has been collecting donations for local shelters taking in displaced animals. She has been picking up donations, such as dog food and toys, from other locals and dropping them off to the shelters.
"I know a lot of people are busy and they don't have time to do something like that," Shirley said, adding, "I really would rather not be pointed out for doing something that is just what we should all be doing, and that is helping our fur babies."
One of the shelters Shirley has been trying to work with is the Southeast Volusia Humane Society where another Port Orange resident, Karen Morgan, is the executive director.
Morgan and her team have been working with shelters in Texas and Louisiana, such as Pure Hearts Rescue, to make enough room for animals that have nowhere to go. The Volusia team has been transporting dogs from New Orleans so that the Louisiana shelter can have more room for additional animals coming in.
"When we realized the impact that Harvey was going to have we came together and said, what can we do to help that area?" Morgan said. "We always say we're small, but we have a big heart."
Morgan said the dogs have already been surrendered by their owners meaning the ones that are in Florida will need new homes. The first transport rescuers made was by cargo van where 37 dogs were brought to Central Florida.
According to Morgan, one dog was pregnant and another was an abuse case where the dog had been found tied to a tree with a lock chain around its neck. Morgan said she is trying to work with other shelters in the area to find homes for the animals so they can continue to open space for additional animals that have been displaced in the Gulf area.
"Tens of thousands of animals will be homeless and not be able to find their owners again or be unwanted," Morgan said. "We want to make sure that we can make a difference with them."
According to Morgan, they will need to spay and neuter the dogs and that some will need antibiotics and special food after their trip. She added that they are looking for donations of laundry detergents, trash bags and even old towels as they are frequently changing the animals' bedding.
As for the response they have already received locally, Morgan said it's been positive.
"Our community here really came together," she said.
For more information visit sevhumanesociety.org.
