March 23, 2022 – AIR deployed after a tornado tore through areas of East Texas. The tornado touched down and tore through over 40 miles of land. The twister was categorized as an EF-2 with winds reaching over 135 mph.
In the aftermath of the storm, dozens of people and pets faced devastating damages and displacement. Once the dust settled, emergency responders worked to provide aid and clear the rubble from the path of the tornado.
At the request of Upshur County authorities, AIR Responders set up an emergency temporary animal shelter for animals who were affected by the devastated area. Animals who were displaced from their homes and property were housed at AIR’s temporary emergency shelter and cared for by AIR Responders to enable the families that were affected to get back on their feet.
Responders dug through debris and rubble to locate and rescue animals in need. A small litter of puppies was found under the foundation of a home and received proper medical care.
AIR also provided assistance for displaced animals in the community to reunite individuals with their lost animals through AIR’s helpline. The team also provided needed supplies, such as; food, bowls, and leashes, to families with pets. AIR’s medical team was also deployed to assist with the unclaimed animals, to prepare them for placement.
After all efforts were made to find the owners of the unclaimed animals, AIR reached out to placement partners for assistance. With these efforts, AIR successfully placed 99% of the animals.
Resources
See potential signs of animal abuse? Learn more about what to do here:
animalinvestigationandresponse.org/resources/
Interested in volunteering with us? Visit animalinvestigationandresponse.org/volunteer
To learn more about AIR, visit animalinvestigationandresponse.org