MSPCA to find homes for shelter cats and dogs affected by Texas floods

Cats and dogs impacted by catastrophic floods in Texas will soon have new homes in New England.

The MSPCA-Angell in Boston is flying in approximately 50 animals from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Georgetown, Texas. The shelter is five miles from the flood zone, and has been taking in animals from two other local shelters that lost access to drinking water.

The MSPCA expects to receive roughly 20 cats and 30 dogs on Friday. Two MSPCA staffers are aiding in the transport.

All of the animals coming to Massachusetts were already living in Texas shelters.

“There’s a common misconception that transports like this mean people’s pets get lost, end up in a shelter, and are immediately shipped out of town. That’s just not true,” MSPCA-Angell Animal Relocation Manager Josie Waldron said in a statement. “By taking animals that were already living in shelters prior to the floods, we’re freeing up vital cage space there to help those animals now in need.”

Flash flooding devastated Kerr County in the early hours of July 4. At least 120 people died when heavy rains caused rivers and creeks to overflow, some in less than an hour. More than 160 people remain missing.

The animals from the Texas shelter are scheduled to arrive at Hanscom Field in Bedford on Friday night. From there, the cats and dogs will be taken to the MSPCA's Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem for a 48-hour quarantine and to receive medical care.

The MSPCA-Angell plans to hold fee-free adoption events for the cats and dogs later this month.