Hundreds of Animals Saved After Devastating Texas Floods

July 4th is supposed to be a day of celebration. Family and friends come together to enjoy grilling, fun in the sun, local parades, and, of course, fireworks as the sun goes down. While this was the case for a majority of the United States, in Central Texas, devastation marked the early hours of the Fourth of July, forever changing how the holiday would be viewed in the region.

As daylight hit Kerrville, Texas, and the surrounding areas, the full impact of the devastation was revealed. There was a loss of life, and many people were unaccounted for. While these were the headlines that dominated the news for days, there were also domestic pets and wildlife that needed help in the wake of the flooding.

Fortunately, as soon as they were allowed into affected areas, amazing animal rescue work began after the Texas floods and continues today. These organizations have been working around the clock to save, provide medical care, reunite, and offer foster homes to animals in need, resulting in the saving of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

How the Kerrville Flood Got So Bad So Quickly

On July 4, 2025, Kerrville, Texas, and surrounding areas experienced some of the worst flooding in Texas history when the Guadalupe River breached the banks, breaking water elevation records never before seen. The rate at which the water rose, coupled with many not receiving warnings of flash flooding events, has now led to over 130 lost lives, with even more people still missing.

With an estimated 10 to 12 inches of rain that fell in Kerr County in the early morning hours of July 4, the region quickly became overwhelmed with water. While there was no stopping the rain, the fact that the rain came between 1:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. made the situation more perilous.

As people slept, flash flood warnings were not received. Many did not know what was happening until water began to flood their homes. Some were lucky enough to wake when there was a matter of inches in the house. Others were not so lucky, with water being chest high as they tried to make their escape to higher ground. Officials were not aware their towns were in danger. Dalton Rice, the Kerrville City Manager, was out running in the rain at 3:30 A.M. along a river trail. At that time, he did not see signs of any danger. In fact, when he turned back 30 minutes later, the river still appeared to be within its banks.

“Everything was fine,” Rice explains to NBC News.

But just a short time later, Kerrville and other portions of Central Texas would be underwater. As people ran for their lives in an attempt to make it to higher ground, many animals were left behind. These domesticated animals and the wildlife that had no place to escape would have to fight to survive until rescue organizations could make it to the area. While it took some time, when the animal rescues could safely make it to the area, they got to work immediately to help some of the most vulnerable displaced by the floods.

Record-Breaking Animal Intakes

With so many people taken by surprise by how quickly floodwaters rose in Kerrville and surrounding areas, many were able to get out of their homes with only the clothes on their backs. This meant, in some situations, animals were left behind. Rescue groups, such as Operation Kindness, out of Carrollton, Texas, broke previous intake records for a 24-hour period, pointing to just how many animals were in need in the days after the flooding occurred. According to Lilly Watson, Marketing Manager of Brand and Communications for Operation Kindness, the rescue mission began on July 9 to save animals in Travis, Williamson, and Kerr counties, and efforts have not slowed since.

“In a single 24-hour period, Operation Kindness transferred 122 pets into their care, the largest one-day intake in the organization’s history,” a statement provided to A-Z Animals reads. “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. Operation Kindness kennel teams have deployed to Williamson County to assist in animal care and kennel cleaning.”

Like other organizations, Operation Kindness worked with Wings of Rescue to airlift animals out of affected areas to North Texas. On July 10, nine animals were transported out of San Marcos and San Angelo. One of the biggest transports happened on July 11, however, when dozens of cats were transported out of San Angelo, many of whom were sick.

“On Thursday, July 11, Operation Kindness received a transfer of 73 cats and kittens from San Angelo who are facing serious medical challenges,” the statement to A-Z Animals says. “Robyn, like most of the other cats in this group, is suffering from a highly infectious upper respiratory infection. So far, the organization has confirmed 15 cases of ringworm, a condition that requires more than 30 days of intensive treatment and significant resources to manage properly. Among the new arrivals are two mother cats with 11 babies between them, as well as four orphaned neonatal kittens that require round-the-clock care.”

Outside of providing transportation, Meredith Jones, Chief Community Initiatives Officer of Operation Kindness, says in the statement that Operation Kindness is also working to help survivors of the flooding.

“We’re providing a very comprehensive level of support,” Jones explains in the statement to A-Z Animals. “Not only are we bringing animals into our care with quick turnaround, but we’re also sending our pantry team to provide resources for disaster survivors. We’re also committed to providing relief, resources, and services after the initial outpouring of help has dissipated.”

It is thanks to Operation Kindness and other organizations that hundreds of animals that likely would have perished have survived and are receiving the care and housing they so desperately need now.

Hundreds Of Animals Have Been Saved

There is no official count as to how many animals have been helped by rescue organizations since the July 4th flooding occurred. However, given the numbers saved by the organizations A-Z Animals spoke with, the count appears to be significant.

Austin Pets Alive!, located in Austin, Texas, has been working hand in hand with other organizations, such as Kerrville Pets Alive! (no affiliation), Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Hill Country Humane, Best Friends Animal Society, and Wings of Rescue, to rescue and transport animals out of the area to receive assistance due to severe overcrowding from animals displaced by the flooding.

According to Angela Nazworth, Senior Director of Philanthropy and Communications for Austin Pets Alive!, their organization alone has taken in hundreds of animals since July 4th.

“Austin Pets Alive! Has taken in over 500 pets dogs and cats already in shelters before the floods out of the area to provide space for pets displaced by the floods, as well as help reduce overcrowded conditions in shelters directly impacted by the floods, allowing animals to be closer to the areas they were found and increasing the likelihood of reuniting with their families,” Nazworth explains to A-Z Animal. “APA! is only taking dogs and cats who were in shelters prior to the storms or who have since been surrendered to shelters. We will not take in any pets who have families searching for them.”

In addition to housing shelter animals, Austin Pets Alive! is helping smaller communities impacted by the flooding as well.

“The impact has now been noticed beyond Kerr County, with hundreds of pets in need of help in more rural areas, such as San Saba,” Nazworth says. “The nonprofit is now deploying supplies, staff, and volunteers to additional counties in Texas.”

This effort has resulted in Austin Pets Alive! deploying over 1,000 volunteers who have assisted in search and rescue efforts, supply runs, and reunification efforts. Additionally, 3,500 community members have contributed to the cause, including fostering animals, transporting them to facilities outside the areas impacted by the flooding in Texas, and delivering much-needed supplies to organizations in need.

Domestic Animals Are Not the Only Ones Impacted By Floods

Cats and dogs have been saved in the hundreds thanks to the efforts of animal rescue organizations both in and outside of Texas. However, many overlook the fact that wild animals were also affected by the flooding and require assistance. Thanks to organizations like Austin Wildlife Rescue, located in Austin, Texas, wild animals are being rehabilitated so they can return to their homes as soon as they are healthy and it is deemed safe to do so.

According to Jules Moran, the Executive Director of Austin Wildlife Rescue, the organization takes in approximately 10,000 “orphaned or injured wild animals from Texas” every year. However, the number of animals taken in due to the flooding has been massive, with some of the youngest needing round-the-clock care.

“Since the terrible 4th of July floods, Austin Wildlife Rescue has taken in 214 wild animals in need, many impacted by severe weather events,” Moran explains to A-Z Animals. “We are seeing species across the board: young birds and tiny baby squirrels have been rained out of a lot of their nests and have fallen to the ground.  A large number of baby skunks and baby cottontail rabbits have been washed out of their nests as well.  These ground-dwelling nesters have especially been impacted. Skunks make their dens underground, and the cottontails are on the ground. So many waterlogged babies were brought into our facility of those species.”

Moran goes on to say, “We appreciate the compassion of our community to take the time to bring this wildlife in need to us.  The baby animals are so vulnerable. They are already unable to thermoregulate due to their young age, but their body temp drops significantly once they get soaked in water, so timing is critical to get these babies in and get them warmed and dried.”

There was one animal that stuck out to Moran and others at Austin Wildlife Rescue after it was brought in for help. It was a baby fox who suffered two broken legs after being washed into a storm drain.

“A baby fox was brought in with two fractured hind legs after being washed out of a storm drain,” Moran tells A-Z Animals. “After he was stabilized for a couple of days, our veterinarian performed orthopedic surgery to repair his left hind femur.  His right hind tibia will be splinted.”

It may be some time before the fox and other rescued wild animals can return to the wild. But with the goal being to return the animals to their natural environments, the wild animals are receiving top-notch care to ensure this happens.

What the Public Can Do to Help Displaced Animals

Just like not all the rescue organizations helping with displaced animals are from Texas, there are those outside of the state that want to know what they can do to help animals as they recover from the devastating floods, desperately hoping to be reunited with their loved ones. For those who want to provide assistance but are out of state, there is plenty that can be done.

One of the easiest ways to help is to check on a rescue organization’s website to see if there are any donations needed. Most have an Amazon wish list, making it very easy to donate. Just click one or more items on the list; the selected items will be added to your cart, and once purchased, they will be automatically shipped to the rescue to help animals in need.

Additionally, many animals are not only being flown out of the area but out of state as well. This means there are shelters across the United States that are receiving dogs and cats from Texas who either need fostering or a forever home. Stepping up to help with either takes a huge load off of shelters that are not only overrun with their animals, but now new ones from Kerr County and beyond.

Those who are local, have escaped any flood damage, and want to help displaced animals are in a position to have a more immediate impact on their communities. Ways to help the rescue organizations and the animals include:

• Organizing supply drives based on what local shelters need and delivering goods to shelters

• Help transport animals from crowded shelters to those that have space available

• Foster or adopt an animal

• Volunteer at local shelters to help walk dogs, clean cages, or anything else the rescue needs

For those who were not directly impacted by the flooding, life has gone on, and reports of the devastation in Texas may not be at the forefront of people’s minds. But those who live in Kerr County and the surrounding areas are still living in a nightmare. Rescue organizations are spread thin, but continue to do all they can to help animals in need. Organizations like Austin Pets Alive!, Operation Kindness, Austin Wildlife Rescue, and others do not save animals to make headlines. They do so because animals, like people, are traumatized during events such as the July 4th devastation and need help.

Therefore, if able, please provide assistance to these organizations or to one of the many others that have been working tirelessly to save, reunite, and care for displaced animals. These organizations may not be accustomed to being in the spotlight for saving animals, but if ever there was a time to shine that light, it is now, as they need the public’s help more than ever.

The post Hundreds of Animals Saved After Devastating Texas Floods appeared first on A-Z Animals.