This has created a situation that is also leaving thousands of animals stranded and in critical need of being rescued. The animal rescue group Guardians of Rescue has deployed to the city to help rescue as many of the pets as they possibly can.
“Guardians of Rescue members are in Beaumont and Houston where animal rescue is overwhelming — from dogs, cats, birds, horses, and livestock, the animals needing help are insurmountable,” explains Robert Misseri, founder and president of Guardians of Rescue, an animal rescue organization. “Some animals are frightened, some are half alive and many are barely holding on, fighting the exhaustion of trying to survive.”
While being able to reach the stranded animals is an enormous challenge, the Guardians of Rescue are taking it on and have brought a dedicated team for the effort. Their rescue team consists of former military personnel, along with several experienced members to help, all of whom will be rescuing animals using flat-bottomed boats, as well as wading in over 5 feet of water to reach animals in need.
Beaumont was one of the cities hit the hardest by the hurricane, leaving many people in shelters. With a population of over 118,000 people, they also lost their main and secondary water sources. Much of the city remains underwater, with boats being used to make rescues of people and animals. As people flee to go to shelters, any pets are often left behind. Being stranded, they end up lost, scared, hungry, and many are clinging to life if they have made it this far.
Guardians of Rescue also helped with the animal rescue effort last year during the Louisiana floods. Many people don’t realize that pets are also left behind and in need of being rescued following hurricanes and floods. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it is estimated that around 250,000 animals were displaced or had died.
Rescue groups currently in Texas are helping to rescue displaced animals will find temporary shelter for them, and work to try and reunite as many as possible with their owners, and provide them with the care and medical attention they need along the way.
“Guardian members are working through the night —everything is minute by minute, but rescue doesn’t stop at sun down — the animals won’t survive,” added Misseri. “We are hopeful that our efforts will save many animals and that we will be able to reunite them with their families. This is a devastating situation that calls for the assistance of people around the country.”
Guardians of Rescue are in need of financial donations to help cover costs of the operation. To learn more and make a donation, visit their site at: https://guardiansofrescue.org/donate.
About Guardians of Rescue
Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. They provide aid to animals in distress, including rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org
