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The critters landed by plane at Waukesha Airport in Wisconsin
then made a three-hour journey by van to Chicago.
This is the second batch of pets to arrive in Chicago from
Texas. The group Austin Pets Alive!, which has been on the
ground in the flood-stricken region since the flooding began,
has coordinated the effort with PAWS Chicago.
The animals were in shelters in Texas before the floods began.
Organizers say the transfers help those shelters focus on
rescuing and reunifying animals separated from their humans by
the disaster.
“We’re really happy to be able to support the area by freeing up
really needed space in their shelters so they are able to open
their shelters to displaced pets," said Celene Mielcarek, PAWS
Chicago head of program operations.
PAWS Chicago’s disaster relief program began in 2005 when the
organization took in more than 200 pets in the wake of Hurricane
Katrina, according to the shelter. Since then, PAWS has rescued
pets from areas impacted by Hurricane Helene last year and
rescued 33 dogs from Houston shelters after storms in 2023.
Peter Brown, a PAWS volunteer who drove to collect the dogs in
Waukesha, said they were anxious on the trip but settled in
quickly. He is hopeful the dogs will be quickly adopted.
“They’ll find good homes here," he said. "And then some family
who lost their dog in the floods will get it back.”
On Monday night, 22 dogs arrived in Chicago from Concho Valley
PAWS, a rescue organization in San Angelo, Texas. A total of 31
dogs, ranging from six weeks old to adult dogs, have been
relocated to Chicago.
The dogs began receiving medical attention immediately after
arriving at PAWS, including being vaccinated, microchipped, and
spayed or neutered. They may be ready for adoption and fostering
within a few days, according to PAWS.
But for now, they'll get some well-deserved rest, Mielcarek
said.
“They’re all pretty tired," she said. "They’re all ready for
their dinner.”
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