Losing a pet or finding one after Temple, Texas tornadoes

TEMPLE, Texas — Central Texans are continuing to pick up the pieces after tornadoes touched down in Temple on May 22. As recovery efforts are underway, many pets are still missing.

There are several resources out there for pet owners who may have lost one of their furry friends during the severe weather. They understand how stressful this time can be and they’re ready to help.

Central Texas Lost and Found Pets is a public Facebook group with over 77,000 members who help reunite pets with their owners.

“In the past year, it’s been about 5,000 animals have gone directly home,” Courtney Camejo, a group admin, said. “Don’t lose hope your pet is out there. Please don’t give up.”

Central Texas Animal Advocates is another group.

“We’re all working together to try to help get these pets back home,” Joy Bastow, animal advocate, said.

So, what are the next steps if your pet is gone and you’re at a loss for what to do?

“If it’s during the time that animal control is working, that should definitely be their first call,” Bastow said. 

Make sure to check all the shelters near you.

“This is a high commute area, and your pet very likely may not end up in the shelter that you would think it should end up at,” Camejo said.

Then post on Facebook groups and social media platforms.

“In situations like this, download every one of them,” Bastow said. “They also need to lean on their shelters by bringing in flyers so the shelter is also watching for pets that are coming in.”

If you find a pet, remember that lost does not always mean dumped.

“So often someone you know finds a pet and especially in the storm, there’s so many lost babies out there, and people sometimes assume this pet must not have a home, this pet must have been dumped by someone,” Hanna Durham, an admin for Central Texas Lost and Found Pets, said. “Nine and a half times out of 10, that is not the situation. That pet has a home. They have a family that loves it and misses it. Use the resources that are out there and you know work to get that parent reunited.”

You can get pets checked for a microchip if you find a lost animal. It is a free service.

“Our local lost and found groups all have volunteer scanners who are mobile and will come to you if they are available,” Camejo said. 

To prevent something like this, make sure you never leave your pet outside when a storm is in the forecast. It can be hard to stay strong, but there’s people ready to support you.

“Do not feel bad about asking for help,” Bastow said. “Our community has really shown up and we’re all about helping.”

The Central Texas Animal Advocates group says they are collecting crates and kennels, which the Heart to Home Adoption Center is handing out to pet owners with fences down to help secure dogs inside the house.

It is recommended to anyone with fences down to take your pet out on a leash. There are still many animals in Temple without a home.