SUPPORT FOR OUR RESCUE PARTNERS IN TEXAS!!
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TCRAS is proud to work with Rescued Pets Movement out of Houston, Texas as part of our Trans-fur-ing Hope program. Volunteers from RPM bring adoptable animals who are unable to find a home in Texas to TCRAS as well as to other rescue groups so these animals can get a second chance. Texas was recently hit by very bad storms that caused a lot of damage to the volunteers and foster families that are part of RPM. Who is RPM? From the RPM website: "Having saved nearly 60,000 lives as of November 2020, Rescued Pets Movement makes new beginnings possible for homeless pets across Houston."
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TCRAS received the following email on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021:
Good afternoon to our lovely Colorado partners!
In case you weren't aware, Houston (and most of Texas) faced a winter storm that brought a lot more than sub zero temperatures and ice. While we were all prepared to stay off the roads, no one was ready for 90+ hours without power. Our gas stations are closed or out of gas. Firewood and propane are nowhere to be found. Food is in short supply and a state of emergency has been declared. So many of us have had pipes burst in our homes leaving us freezing and displaced. I personally had my home drop to 37 degrees at the lowest point this week. I worked from my car when the cell towers thawed enough to use my phone as a hotspot. My power was finally restored yesterday afternoon. I was lucky but casualties are rising from people freezing in their own homes or not having power for their necessary medical devices. Animals were left on chains and found dead in yards. This has been a nightmare beyond what anyone was expecting.
While the people suffered, the RPM foster nation sheltered 350+ dogs and cats in their homes. They kept them warm and safe. Multiple pregnant moms went into labor as their foster families watched their kitchens and bedrooms turn into waterfalls. They swaddled emaciated animals in blankets before they covered themselves. They flocked to our facebook group showing each other how to cut up clothing to make sock sweaters for small puppies. The resilience and compassion this community showed through the last 5 days has been outstanding.
We write to you because our biggest concern now is water. Many of us still have no water and those who do are being warned of the contamination caused from the pipe bursts. We are boiling water as fast as we can obtain it to make it safe for humans and animals to drink. Unfortunately, shelves are empty and stores have begun breaking up packages of bottled water and selling them for $8 - $10 each. Our animals are still set to travel to you tomorrow (and arrive Sunday) but in order to continue to pull animals from the shelters, we need water to care for them.
You already do so much for our animals and we hate to ask you to do more but we humbly ask for help at this time.
If you have the ability to purchase drinking water in bottles or gallons or even boil tap water and store in transportable containers to send back with our drivers onSunday, RPM would be so appreciative.
Thank you for bearing with us through this week and the changes we've thrown at you. We know your programs have had to adapt quickly and unexpectedly and we as foster families, employees, drivers, and volunteers are forever grateful that you are going to take in the animals we have so fiercely fought for over the last week and give them new lives.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
With love,
The RPM Team
Good afternoon to our lovely Colorado partners!
In case you weren't aware, Houston (and most of Texas) faced a winter storm that brought a lot more than sub zero temperatures and ice. While we were all prepared to stay off the roads, no one was ready for 90+ hours without power. Our gas stations are closed or out of gas. Firewood and propane are nowhere to be found. Food is in short supply and a state of emergency has been declared. So many of us have had pipes burst in our homes leaving us freezing and displaced. I personally had my home drop to 37 degrees at the lowest point this week. I worked from my car when the cell towers thawed enough to use my phone as a hotspot. My power was finally restored yesterday afternoon. I was lucky but casualties are rising from people freezing in their own homes or not having power for their necessary medical devices. Animals were left on chains and found dead in yards. This has been a nightmare beyond what anyone was expecting.
While the people suffered, the RPM foster nation sheltered 350+ dogs and cats in their homes. They kept them warm and safe. Multiple pregnant moms went into labor as their foster families watched their kitchens and bedrooms turn into waterfalls. They swaddled emaciated animals in blankets before they covered themselves. They flocked to our facebook group showing each other how to cut up clothing to make sock sweaters for small puppies. The resilience and compassion this community showed through the last 5 days has been outstanding.
We write to you because our biggest concern now is water. Many of us still have no water and those who do are being warned of the contamination caused from the pipe bursts. We are boiling water as fast as we can obtain it to make it safe for humans and animals to drink. Unfortunately, shelves are empty and stores have begun breaking up packages of bottled water and selling them for $8 - $10 each. Our animals are still set to travel to you tomorrow (and arrive Sunday) but in order to continue to pull animals from the shelters, we need water to care for them.
You already do so much for our animals and we hate to ask you to do more but we humbly ask for help at this time.
If you have the ability to purchase drinking water in bottles or gallons or even boil tap water and store in transportable containers to send back with our drivers onSunday, RPM would be so appreciative.
Thank you for bearing with us through this week and the changes we've thrown at you. We know your programs have had to adapt quickly and unexpectedly and we as foster families, employees, drivers, and volunteers are forever grateful that you are going to take in the animals we have so fiercely fought for over the last week and give them new lives.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
With love,
The RPM Team
And volunteers from TCRAS responded!! By Sunday morning, there were about 27 people who donated, and we collected over $2,500 of water, buckets, electrical cords, PVC, cat and dog food, cat litter, cleaning supplies and etc. and we sent our 16 foot trailer filled with supplies but with room for the other rescue groups to put in their donations as well. We sent the trailer off with hope that the supplies would help.
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The trailer made it to Colorado Springs and continued to fill up with donations from other groups.
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By the time it made it to Texas, it was filled with supplies. Our friends from Rescued Pet Movements reached out to let us know the impact that these donations had -
Good Morning to Our Wonderful Colorado Partners,
I'm a pretty tough person. But on Monday, when 9 vans and a 16' trailer pulled up in front of the office that provided me with my first running water in 5 days, I rushed past volunteers and back to my desk. I turned my back to the door, put my head in my hands, and cried. Week after week, for YEARS, I've watched thousands of animals leave on packed vans and return empty. I've never watched our vans come home with more than we sent.
But on Monday, they did.
We asked for drinking water for the animals. What we got was beyond what I could have expected from any one email. RPM volunteers unloaded case after case of water and supplies that would help them clean out their homes and bring back some normalcy. I watched as fosters, staff, drivers, and volunteers walked in the door with a catch in their throats, completely overwhelmed by the act of kindness that you all have given us. I found the same woman who lost her home as her mama dog gave birth standing in the corner with her hand over her mouth, shaking her head. She turned to me and said, "I thought these groups just saved animals. But they saved us too. Who knew something so devastating could bring this much happiness."
The water will last us until plumbers can make it to houses and begin repairs but what you sent has such a longer lasting effect on us. You sent compassion, empathy, reassurance...and hope.Hope not only for our own lives but for the future of every last unwanted animal on our streets.
We all know that our animals are going to wonderful organizations that will carefully place the once homeless heartbeats into forever homes. But on Monday, we saw where we were really sending them; into the arms of people who care more than we could have ever imagined. You reminded us why we spend all our time, money, and energy giving voices to the voiceless. You reminded us that with all of the bad there still comes good. And you reminded us why we fight so hard to stand together and watch pieces of our hearts drive away. You made this a fight we did not have to go at alone.
From the bottom of my (and hundreds of others') hearts, we thank you.
Sincerely,
Kiersten & The RPM Nation
I'm a pretty tough person. But on Monday, when 9 vans and a 16' trailer pulled up in front of the office that provided me with my first running water in 5 days, I rushed past volunteers and back to my desk. I turned my back to the door, put my head in my hands, and cried. Week after week, for YEARS, I've watched thousands of animals leave on packed vans and return empty. I've never watched our vans come home with more than we sent.
But on Monday, they did.
We asked for drinking water for the animals. What we got was beyond what I could have expected from any one email. RPM volunteers unloaded case after case of water and supplies that would help them clean out their homes and bring back some normalcy. I watched as fosters, staff, drivers, and volunteers walked in the door with a catch in their throats, completely overwhelmed by the act of kindness that you all have given us. I found the same woman who lost her home as her mama dog gave birth standing in the corner with her hand over her mouth, shaking her head. She turned to me and said, "I thought these groups just saved animals. But they saved us too. Who knew something so devastating could bring this much happiness."
The water will last us until plumbers can make it to houses and begin repairs but what you sent has such a longer lasting effect on us. You sent compassion, empathy, reassurance...and hope.Hope not only for our own lives but for the future of every last unwanted animal on our streets.
We all know that our animals are going to wonderful organizations that will carefully place the once homeless heartbeats into forever homes. But on Monday, we saw where we were really sending them; into the arms of people who care more than we could have ever imagined. You reminded us why we spend all our time, money, and energy giving voices to the voiceless. You reminded us that with all of the bad there still comes good. And you reminded us why we fight so hard to stand together and watch pieces of our hearts drive away. You made this a fight we did not have to go at alone.
From the bottom of my (and hundreds of others') hearts, we thank you.
Sincerely,
Kiersten & The RPM Nation
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TCRAS is thankful that we could be a part of helping this amazing group of people who work so tirelessly to save as many animals as they can! If you would like to help, here is what RPM has requested:
We've spoken with our fosters and the biggest struggle many people are facing are the collapse of ceilings and walls from busted pipes. Many homes look as if they had been hit by a hurricane or are suffering from flood rains. If you'd like to send other supplies, here are items that have been suggested:
We've spoken with our fosters and the biggest struggle many people are facing are the collapse of ceilings and walls from busted pipes. Many homes look as if they had been hit by a hurricane or are suffering from flood rains. If you'd like to send other supplies, here are items that have been suggested:
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If you'd like to have anything shipped, our address is:
Rescued Pets Movement 2317 W. 34th Street Houston, TX 77018 Rescue Team Rescued Pets Movement www.rescuedpetsmovement.org |
