Source: Service Services in Santa Barbara County
After Uri wreaked havoc through Winterstorm, Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) responded to the call for help from animal shelters directly affected by the icy temperature, ice and snow. While their owners were stranded without power and water, thousands of Texas pets entered shelters during the storm’s storms. As a result of this rapid influx of animals into the shelters, the dogs and cats that were there before the storm hit now run the risk of euthanasia due to space constraints and depleted resources. Through a major collaboration of animal organizations, a goal has been set to provide safe transportation for 1,000 animals or more across state lines to free up critical space in the depleted shelters in Texas.
With the long journey from El Paso, 22 of these lucky dogs arrive in Santa Barbara on the evening of Saturday, March 6, 2021. The dogs selected for the trip range from 4 to 70 pounds and are healthy and social. More importantly, the priority was to transfer dogs that did not really have a home or were at risk of euthanasia. According to SBCAS director Angela Yates, ‘it is unusual for us as a municipal shelter to bring in animals from other jurisdictions, but in times of disaster and crisis, our network of animal shelters works together to save as many animals as possible. We are so thankful that we are able to offer these 22 dogs a new and loving life in Santa Barbara! “
This transportation is made possible through SBCAS’s partnership with CARE4Paws, Shadow’s Fund and the Santa Barbara Animal Care Foundation, which has raised their support and resources to help. El Paso Animal Services will transport the dogs to the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, which has graciously offered to act as a transportation center to give these canine winter refugees a day of rest. SBCAS volunteers will undertake the grueling 18-hour return ride to Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona, where the 22 dogs will be loaded and on their way to a new life in our Santa Barbara community.
Ramon Herrera, interim director of El Paso Animal Services, said: “Through this collaboration, we are able to offer these shelter animals a greater chance at a loving home and we cannot thank SBCAS enough for the life-saving partner.”
A team of staff and volunteers will greet the transportation team upon their arrival at the Santa Barbara Shelter, 547 Overpass Road. On Saturday night, the dogs are spun through our playgrounds to ensure they have the opportunity to stretch their legs and adapt to their new environment . All dogs will receive a veterinary examination before being adopted. Many of the Texas dogs will be available immediately and a special adoption event is planned for March 9, 2021: Texas Tuesday!
Anyone interested in giving one of these Texas dogs a home in California, visit https://countyofsb.org/phd/animal/texasdogadoption.sbc and fill out an application specifically designed for this Texas dog. dogs. Adoption dates are scheduled for Tuesday in Texas and throughout the week until all the dogs find loving homes.
