Texas is burning- part 2

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9/11, austin, austin humane society, austin pets alive, bastrop, bastrop fire, central texas, charity, clara k.showalter, clara showalter, day of service, FEMA, finding lost animals, lost pet in bastrop fire, september 2011 fires, texas is burning

It’s been a heck of a week in Central Texas. As of today, over 1,400 homes have been destroyed with 34,000 acres involved. Through the tireless efforts of firefighters in the region, the blaze is at 40% containment.

With Texas under multiple fire warnings, you’d think that people are being careful. Yet daily you can watch careless smokers flicking ash out the window or tossing cigarette butts. The fire danger remains frighteningly high. Don’t just use common sense- demand that others act in a safe and responsible manner this weekend.

This weekend is a great time to step up and help others. 9/11 is used by many as a Day of Service. Volunteering is a great way to honor the service of the police and fire rescue personnel who died on September 11. This weekend, take time to reach out and help your neighbor.

American Red Cross- Central Texas is taking donations

Capital Area Food Bank is taking non-perishable food items

Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management. Phone # to register for FEMA assistance is 1-800-621-3362(FEMA).

Many companion animals have been displaced. Austin Pets Alive, Austin Humane Society, Town Lake Animal Center, and Bastrop Animal Control are all on the ground in Bastrop helping find missing animals. Animals are being sheltered at Austin Humane Society and Bastrop Animal Shelter.

Austin Pets Alive volunteer transfers puppies from Lockhart shelter

Austin Humane Society also has lists of animals who’ve been brought in. If you are missing your pet, start checking here. (Updated images)

 Bastrop Animal Shelter, 589 Cool Water Drive, 512-549-5160 (Updated images)

As of today, no animals from the fires are being adopted out. Every effort is being made to reunite displaced animals with their humans. Animals being offered for adoption are only animals who were all ready in the custody of animal control.

If you are missing a furry family member- DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE! Pets are amazing survivors. Even animals who were locked in houses that burned have found ways out. Keep looking!

Austin Pets Alive is taking in non-Bastrop animals from other shelters in Central Texas. This is being done to alleviate crowding in those shelters. Both Austin Pets Alive and Austin Humane Society are providing medical care to injured and ill animals right now. Donations of medical supplies are greatly appreciated. Additionally, there are MANY animals needing new homes! Check with local animal rescue groups this weekend and adopt a new family member!

Here’s hoping for a safe weekend in Central Texas!

Texas is burning

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austin, austin pets alive, bastrop fire, bastrop shelter evacuation, bastrop sheriff, cats, centexfires, central texas, clara k.showalter, clara showalter, disaster, dogs, finding lost animals, fires, how can I find my missing pet after fire, lost pet in bastrop fire, news, september 2011 fires, temporary fosters, texas is burning, updates, volunteers to find animals left behind

(UPDATED 9/6/2011)

Texas has been praying for rain. We got fire.

Wildfires burn near Bastrop, TX

Since Saturday, September 4th, the Central Texas area has been battling multiple, very dangerous wildfires. Over 14,000 acres are burning, and over 400 homes have been destroyed.

Fire is a primal fear. It moves faster than any man. It leaps highways and explodes trees into flame from a distance. In an instant your life is gone. If you are lucky you’ve managed to escape with important papers and documents. If you are lucky you escape with your life.

Winds are expected to be very high today, keeping the danger up. Even if you are in an area where there are no fires currently, keep an ear on the news. Small brush fires can blow up into major events with these winds.

• If you have pets, consider keeping everyone inside today. Many in Bastrop have lost four footed family members because they were unable to find them when the flames rolled in.
• Have carriers for pets ready. Have medication for humans ready. Put important papers and documents in an easy to access place. If you get the order to evacuate you may need to move fast.
• Update your information with the City of Austin.
• Don’t smoke outside. Seriously. Your butt can start a fire.
• Don’t grill with an open flame.

Donations are needed for both pets and people.

Central Texas Red Cross is taking donations. (Monetary donations only, no goods)

The Bastrop Animal Shelter evacuated 160 animals. Austin Pets Alive has taken many of those animals in. Donations are badly needed. On a personal note, this is the group I work with. All these animals coming from Bastrop aren’t vaccinated. So we are having to vaccinate them. Any little bit helps.

Austin Humane Society took in animals from Bastrop as well. They don’t have a plea up yet, but I imagine they will. 

If you’ve got friends in Central Texas, keep them in your thoughts. If you live in Central Texas, be safe!

(Update- The large dogs from Bastrop are at Austin Pets Alive. Free adoptions today. Cats and small dogs are at Austin Humane Society. Both groups need donations BADLY. The animals from Bastrop are not vaccinated. Monetary donations will help both groups pay for vaccinations. )

(Update 9/6/11- Donations are still badly needed by animal rescue groups. As strays in Bastrop are being found they are being brought to various Austin shelters and groups. Erica with the Bastrop Animal Shelter has a lost and found registry for the animals in Bastrop. If you are missing a pet or have found a pet, please call her at 512-629-3159.)

Update 9/6/11- Number to call if you had animals left behind in Bastrop UPDATE: SEARCH FOR ANIMALS INFORMATION: NEW NUMBER: 512-332-8814
Per Kristine Dupuis: The Bastrop sheriff’s department is taking volunteers to help rescue animals left behind!!!

VOLUNTEERING IN BASTROP INFO: PLEASE GO TO THE CONVENTION CENTER OR PARK ACROSS FROM POLICE STATION, ADDRESSES BELOW.
Per Daisy the Starfish Thrower Just spoke with Bastrop County EOC. They are directing animal search volunteers to go to the dog park across from the police station in Bastrop. Address is 104 Grady Tuck Lane. Their phone # is 512-629-3159, but the mailbox is full.
Jennifer Ripple Convention Center — 1408 Chestnut St 512.332-8984