Texas Shelter Pups Who Survive Record-Breaking Winter Storms Seek Sunnier Skies in San Diego
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (February 24, 2021) – This morning, 27 Lone Star canines arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center, seeking warmer weather and a second chance at a forever home. Last week, the 12 puppies and 15 adult dogs survived record-breaking storms and a shelter left uninhabitable. Fortunately, with the dedication of heroic Concho Valley Paws shelter workers, a transporter willing to brave the icy roads, and the loving assistance of Helen Woodward Animal Center staff, the future looks sunny for these Texas pups.
Helen Woodward Animal Center began working with Concho Valley Paws in May of 2020. As the pandemic numbers rose, shelters across the country were forced into lock-down and struggled with limited staff members. The Center was happy to connect with the Texas-based animal welfare facility and welcome transports of shelter pups over the last nine months.
Two weeks ago, however, Concho Valley Paws faced new challenges. An alert was sent out to all Concho Valley residents regarding toxins found in the water system. Water lines were shut off across the city as repairs were being made. Then, before repairs could be completed, a record-breaking blizzard hit the area, freezing pipes, knocking out electricity, and blocking roads.
“The Concho Valley Paws staff members were there every day,” explained Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Partner Liaison LaBeth Thompson. “They were trying to keep the animals warm, fed, hydrated and clean but it was really a desperate situation. It was even challenging to get out there to them because the roads were so bad.”’
Fortunately, Helen Woodward Animal Center could depend on one of its most dedicated transporters, Melissa Maertens, who found her way around road blocks and icy passageways to get the Concho Valley pups into her vehicle and on their way to the brighter skies of California.
“When a natural disaster occurs, there are so many lives at risk,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center President Mike Arms. “But it’s easy to forget about some of the smallest and most helpless. I’m incredibly touched by the staff at Concho Valley Paws who didn’t forget about those orphan pets and worked in unbelievably challenging circumstances to keep them safe and cared for until they could get them out to us.”
Helen Woodward Animal Center is surprising Concho Valley Paws with a monetary donation to help the shelter get back to working order.
The Concho Valley arrivals will go available for adoption over the next few days and weeks as they are cleared by medical. Those interested in adopting can visit www.animalcenter.org or call (858) 756-4117 x 313.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.