EAST PROVIDENCE − The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has taken in 38 cats and 13 dogs from Texas who were at risk of dying from heat exhaustion and disease after Hurricane Beryl devastated their shelter and much of the surrounding area.
The animals, including kittens, arrived Thursday after being transported more than 1,800 miles from Texas, according to Stephanie Van Patten, director of community engagement for the RISPCA.
After Hurricane Beryl hit Texas, the Brazoria County SPCA reached out to the Rhode Island agency to see if it could help.
“The storm that hit our area Sunday night…caused more damage than we expected — or prepared for. Overall, we saw thousands of trees and power lines down, which caused a loss of power that impacted millions of people,” Jami Doddroe, transportation coordinator for the Texas agency, wrote to Olivia Warburton, RISPCA’s cat and small animal manager.
![One of 13 dogs brought in from Texas. The RISPCA is taking in a group of 13 dogs and 38 cats from Texas after a shelter there was without power for an extended period of time due to Hurricane Beryl. The RISPCA has limited space, so it has reopened its former headquarters in East Providence to house the animals until they can be adopted, starting later this month. Pictured on July 18, 2024. [Kris Craig/The Providence Journal]](https://www.providencejournal.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/07/18/NPRJ/74460884007-07-dogs-07182024.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Brazoria County SPCA is located in Lake Jackson, about 50 miles south of Houston. The hurricane knocked out power and damaged the Texas SPCA’s facilities, exposing the dogs and cats to possible heat exhaustion, illness and death, according to Doddroe.
“Our animals already in care are struggling and we expect to see a flood of admissions as animal control officers collect animals lost during the storm,” Doddroe wrote.
The RISPCA says it typically doesn’t accept dogs from out of state because its kennels are “constantly full of Rhode Island dogs in need of new homes.”
“Sometimes, however, friends need a helping hand,” Van Patten wrote in announcing his agreement with the Texas SPCA.
To accommodate the Texas dogs and cats, the RISPCA has reopened the kennel at its former headquarters in East Providence and is relying primarily on a volunteer staff to care for them. It is also looking for additional volunteers to “assist with cleaning, feeding and socializing.”
The cats and dogs are expected to be available for adoption later this month.
RISPCA is asking for the public’s help with its efforts. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit www.rispca.org/volunteers for more information. Those who would like to help keep the agency’s supplies stocked can visit their wish lists at www.rispca.org/wish-lists. Financial donations can also be made through the RISPCA website.
