Fosters needed for dogs and cats evacuated from Georgetown shelter during flooding
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dangerous floodwaters in Georgetown prompted an emergency evacuation of dogs and cats from the city's animal shelter on Saturday. All shelter animals were moved to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
The evacuation prompted the regional shelter put out an urgent plea for help from the public for foster volunteers. According to a notice from WCRAS Saturday morning, the regional shelter was already near capacity and "overwhelmed," when it took in an additional 75 cats and 37 dogs.
"We more than likely will be getting animals from other areas in Williamson County due to the floods as well," the notice read. It went on to say, "Fostering opens space for animals displaced by the floods and evacuation."
As of Saturday night, shelter staff posted an update on social media that 48 dogs and 91 cats went to foster families. 7 other families adopted cats, while another lost dog and cat were reunited with their families.
"As amazing as these numbers are, you can see that we still have many, many pets at the shelter and ready to go home with you," the Saturday evening post read.
The shelter's Animal Services Director told KXAN they are also asking anyone who finds a lost pet to keep it overnight and post about it here.
According to WCRAS, foster volunteers can show up and do not need an appointment, but they can fill out a questionnaire in advance. The shelter is open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at 1855 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown, TX 78626.
If someone cannot foster or hold an animal but wants to help, the director said they can also donate to the WCRAS General Donation Fund.
On social media, WCRAS said it was operating on "emergency protocols," meaning it would limit public services to reunited lost pets in the shelter with their families and helping people interested in fostering or adopting, in order to help open up room and resources.
This comes as the Williamson County judge issued a local disaster declaration Saturday afternoon, as other areas in the county faced evacuations.