From Harvey to home
Adoptable dogs were sent north to dodge storm
WAUKESHA - Pit bulls Roscoe, Henry and William wagged their tails as they leaned closer for a look at the humans considering taking them home.
A hound of uncertain parentage named Judge was so excited he splashed his drink on the floor, trampling through his water dish at Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS) Tuesday afternoon.
And a Catahoula Leopard Dog mix dubbed Batman stuck his nose through a mesh door while making a highpitched howl that sounded like someone tuning a banjo.
Apparently “jet lag” is not in their vocabulary.
Hurricane Harvey not only displaced thousands of people but also many animals, including 44 dogs flown to Waukesha’s Crites Field on Monday. As a registered emergency placement partner with the Humane Society of the United States, officials at HAWS began preparing for the fourlegged hurricane refugees several days before winds and rain began lashing Texas.
“They said ‘what can you take?’” said Jessica Pinkos, director of special projects at HAWS. “We didn’t have space for kitties. But we had space for dogs, and we said we can take 30 to 50 dogs.”
HAWS received 44 dogs that had been in Houston area animal shelters before Hurricane Harvey hit and were moved to make room for pets surrendered by people caught in the hurricane as well as strays and animals whose owners couldn’t be found. Mukwonago Animal Hospital took seven of the 44 dogs to minister for various ailments and the remaining 37 are at HAWS.
Quite a few are pit bull or pit bull mixes as well as hounds, boxers, dachshunds and Labrador retrievers — everything from a 6-pound Chihuahua to a 70-pound German shepherd with names like Mo, Houston, Sunny, Wags, Sherman, Frank, — and Boomer.
“They’re great dogs,” Pinkos said. “They’ve been through so much and when they come out so happy it really speaks to their souls.”
When the plane arrived at Crites Field across from HAWS, staff members and volunteers waiting on the tarmac shouted and cheered as a pilot volunteer with Wings of Rescue, a nonprofit that flies endangered pets throughout the U.S., pulled up. Some dogs on board were taken by Northwoods Humane Society in Hayward.
Each passenger got a potty break, bath, medications, food and water — in that order. Volunteers showed up on the Labor
Day holiday, cutting vacations short and staying late in the evening to walk dogs. Each pooch was checked for behavioral problems and given a medical checkup.
Veterinarians determined some needed medical attention for kennel cough or heartworms. One dog, an elderly dachshund-Chihuahua mix, received treatment for a hole in her jaw. Tuesday afternoon several cages were filled with pups sleeping off anesthesia for spaying and neutering surgeries.
Many of the rest were already in the adoption area where folks who love
dogs began walking through, looking for a new family member.
Gina Radovick saw the announcement of the Hurricane Harvey dogs on HAWS’ Facebook page and decided to see if she could adopt a companion for her pug. She lingered by Boomer and BJ, two adorable pit bulls who stood on their hind legs to sniff and lick fingers.
“I feel so bad for them. They need a home,” said Radovick.
Reuben and Brittany Ramirez of West Allis stopped to look for a roommate for their pit bull mix Yogi.
“I think it’s sad because they’re so helpless,” said Brittany Ramirez.
Added her husband: “A dog doesn’t have a voice. Think of how frightened they are. You think of someone who lost everything in Hurricane Harvey and they still have to take care of their dog.”
The phone began ringing off the hook Tuesday as word spread of the Harvey pups. HAWS officials were seeking foster homes for some of the animals recuperating from ailments but capped the number of volunteers at 200 when the phone kept ringing, said Pinkos.
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, animal shelters and humane societies began training for
the sudden influx of refugee pets. Each year HAWS staff members practice for a large group of animals descending on the facility.
“We’re always ready here,” Pinkos said.
It’s likely more Hurricane Harvey animals will come to Wisconsin and elsewhere as people return to their damaged and destroyed homes and realize they can’t take care of their pets. The dogs arriving on Monday had already been transferred from Houston to shelters in Oklahoma before continuing their journey to Wisconsin.
And with another catastrophe — Hurricane Irma — headed toward Florida this week, it’s likely more pets will be in harm’s way, seeking shelter from another storm.
“This has just begun,” said Pinkos.