Donations pour in after Hurricane Harvey

Hundreds of dogs displaced by Hurricane Harvey are sleeping more comfortably tonight, thanks to Bubba’s Beds for Shelter Friends. The nonprofit recently donated more than 600 Kuranda dog beds to the Pet Reunion Pavilion at NRG Arena in Houston. After volunteers assembled the beds, the dogs wasted no time in putting them to good use.

The beds are just one example of generosity that helped quickly turn the NRG Arena into a temporary home away from home for pets still waiting to find their people in the wake of the storm. “People have been so generous with their time and donations,” says Tawney Hammond of Best Friends, who oversees operations at the NRG Center. “It’s been an inspiration to see how many people have stepped up to help the animals by donating, volunteering or both.”

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Donations for hurricane dogs and cats

Obviously, dogs and cats require more than just shelter: food, water, collars, leashes, kitty litter, beds, toys, and the list goes on. Cleaning supplies such as paper towels, disinfectant, gloves and hand sanitizer are also critical to keeping the pets at the pavilion healthy and happy. Countless donations have made it possible to do just that. Every dollar given to Best Friends’ disaster relief efforts is spent on getting pets what they need.

In addition to funds donated to save hundreds of pets affected by Hurricane Harvey, the Best Friends Hurricane Harvey Amazon wish list gives people an opportunity to donate everything from soft fleece blankets and bouncy Kongs to interactive cat toys and soothing lavender oil. Items on the list ensure that the dogs and cats in Best Friends’ care have what they need to be comfortable.

“The wish list was first shared August 30 on Best Friends’ social media channels, and within eight hours all the items needed to get started had been purchased,” says Shanda Frost, who coordinates in-kind donations for Best Friends.

Companies step up to help animals

Bubba’s is one of several companies that have made in-kind donations to Best Friends for hurricane relief. The Petco Foundation donated an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer truck full of kennels, crates and more than 5,000 pounds of pet food. Ogena Solutions donated cases of concentrated Rescue brand disinfectant and a case of Pure Oxygen Shampoo.

There’s still a lot of work to be done. Best Friends will continue to care for the cats and dogs at the pavilion until they are reunited with their families, adopted into new homes, or placed with appropriate shelters or rescue groups that will help them find new homes.

Whether a donation is a few dollars or an entire truckload of supplies, every single one makes a difference.

“We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from across the country,” says Tawney. “These in-kind donors transformed the Pet Reunion Pavilion from an empty concrete building into a safe haven filled with just about everything a dog or cat could want — except for a family.” As they wait, Best Friends is committed to doing everything possible to make that wish a reality.

What you can do to help pets displaced by Hurricane Harvey

Photos by Sonya Sellers and Jill Garrett