Animal Shelter Offers Aid To Displaced Pets Due To Flooding
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WEATHERFORD(CBSDFW.COM) - The City of Weatherford Animal Services will assist and provide mutual aid to evacuated residents of the Horseshoe Bend area.
Residents are being offered temporary boarding of their animals at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter (WPCAS) until they organize their personal affairs. The decision came after Parker County officials communicated that an evacuation was imminent at approximately 12 p.m. Thursday.
Additionally, the WPCAS is offering to spay or neuter, microchip, administer rabies and other core vaccinations to the owners of the displaced animals from the Horseshoe Bend area. One bag of pet food will also be given to animal owners when they arrive to retrieve their pet. Currently, WPCAS has received between 40 to 50 animals from the Horseshoe Bend area and expects more to arrive as flooding is still a concern.
Unlike humans who can retreat to higher grounds, many animals have been confined in fences and tethered to poles.
"Often during emergency situations like these, we see people refusing to make responsible decisions when they know their animal's life is in danger," said Director of Animal Services Dustin Deel. "Animal Control Officers (ACO) for both Parker County and the City of Weatherford are working together to capture and transport animals to the WPCAS. This is helping the residents during a time of need, which will also drastically help with compliance and animal overpopulation problems in the area."
Typically, May through August is the busiest time of year for most animal shelters and the WPCAS is already at its capacity. The shelter's leadership has quickly devised a plan to shuffle animals around and make room for an unknown quantity of animals in transport from Horseshoe Bend.
The Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter is offering a $25 adoption special to get capacity back at a manageable level. The adoption special will last until Tuesday, June 2. The shelter asks that if anyone is considering adopting an animal that they strongly consider doing so now. Every adoption helps to make space.
WPCAS is also asking "animal lovers" everywhere for monetary donations to help offset the expenses of providing the above mentioned services. If WPCAS can raise approximately $5,000, it will make the commitment possible.
Donation checks can be made payable to WPCAS and given in person or mailed to 403 Hickory Lane, Weatherford, TX 76086. Donations can also be made online.
For more information call 817-598-4111.
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