Blog

Sep 24, 2021

When Hurricane Harvey devastated a lot of Texas and Louisiana in 2017, the APA! group leaped into motion with the objective of evacuating and saving as many lives as attainable.

Because of the superb help that we acquired from donors, fosters, volunteers, and the APA! group each close to and much – you! – we had been in a position to transport over 5,000 animals to security, get up three non permanent shelters, gratefully settle for truckloads of donations, and document practically 30,000 volunteer hours.

However the affect of Harvey didn’t finish in 2017. It solely simply started for the 1000’s of adopters that added new additions to their households. This included Patrick and Lauren. Only in the near past engaged, the couple took the chance to develop their household whereas serving to pets in want.

“It was my birthday,” mentioned Lauren. “He [Patrick] has this behavior of sending me photos with no explanations after which I’ve to guess why he’s sending it to me. On my birthday he despatched me an image of a canine in a crate and it acquired me actually excited. I assumed he had gotten me a canine for my birthday. Once I discovered he was simply sending an image of a cute canine, I acquired actually upset.”

However when Lauren talked about that APA! was rescuing 1000’s of cats and canine from Houston and surrounding areas previous to and following Hurricane Harvey, the subsequent day Patrick snuck out of the home and headed to APA!.

That’s when Patrick first laid eyes on Wren.

“I’m afraid she could have been in a hoarding scenario or with somebody who was attempting to show her right into a looking canine…going by means of that course of and perhaps she didn’t take. Possibly they noticed the hurricane as a possibility to ditch her,” Patrick mentioned.

For Patrick and Lauren, saving Wren was additionally about beginning a household.

“I like Wrennie,” mentioned Joey, Patrick and Lauren’s two-year-old daughter, with a hiccup. Joey gave Wren that title as quickly as she may speak. They have been greatest pals for the reason that begin.

“It has been fascinating as a result of after we first adopted Wren, she was our solely household,” mentioned Patrick. “She was all of our consideration and spare time. It’s been actually fascinating to see the household develop round her, see the dynamics change and see how she’s tailored and adjusted to not being the boss of all the things, though she nonetheless thinks she is. She’s at all times been very maternal. She’s been good with youngsters.”

From being stranded among the many floodwater from Harvey to a loving dwelling full with a younger buddy to play with, Wren is simply one of many 1000’s of lives which have been saved by on a regular basis individuals seeking to make a distinction.

“I understood the necessity to undertake as a result of there are such a lot of canine on the market that want rehoming. I don’t suppose I’d ever do something otherwise now,” Lauren mentioned.

“I at all times thought that if I acquired a canine, I’d get a shelter canine. I don’t like the thought of spending a whole lot or 1000’s of {dollars} on one thing that comes from a pet mill or breeding facility,” mentioned Patrick. “When Harvey got here alongside it felt good to attempt to assist a trigger. I’d do it once more.”

Patrick & Lauren: we’ll be right here, ready for when y’all are able to undertake another time. Adopters like Patrick and Lauren are simply a number of the individuals who have made our #NoKillDecade attainable. You possibly can be a part of the No Kill motion by making a present at this time to make sure one other 10 years of lifesaving. Because of an nameless board member, all presents can be DOUBLED, as much as $10K!

Wish to share your expertise with Hurricane Harvey? No matter your APA! story is, we wish to hear it. Work together with all of our social posts this week to inform us your story utilizing #NoKillDecade.