Welcome to the
Humane Society of Uvalde


 


 

 

April 26, 2012

Many thanks to the groups and organizations throughout Texas who rescued the pets from the Uvalde Animal Shelter seizure.  The Humane Society of Uvalde has left the Animal Shelter premises and are back in action at our location behind HEB.  We are actively treating and preparing approximately 30 dogs for adoption.  As pets become available, they will be visible online. Thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers and members for aiding the animals of Uvalde.

 

Here is the most recent HSU video-it seems to hold more true now...

 

WATCH THE HSU VIDEO

 

 

 

 

 

April 19, 2012

HSU received custody of the 200 plus animals at the Uvalde Animal Shelter on April 11th .  The Humane Society of Uvalde has diligently networked with organizations throughout Texas to place each of the pets awarded to our care.  We would like to publicly thank all of the groups and individuals who have come forward to offer donations, networking and rescues.  Please visit our facebook page to see updates from groups on dogs they were able to rescue and find out about adoption.  HSU has approximately 70 dogs left in our care and we are continuing to be in need of the donation items listed below.

 

There have been several news stories and local coverage on this event.  Please find those linked below.

 

The Original You Tube Video thought to have encouraged the initial investigation of the Uvalde Animal Shelter. 

 

WARNING: Be advised that these images are graphic.

 

Animal Shelter Footage

Animal Shelter Footage-Cat House

 

News Stories coverage the seizure:

Uvalde Leader News Coverage

San Antonio Kens 5 Coverage

 

Rescue Stories

Austin Williamson County Humane Society Story 41 Dogs Rescued

Starfish-A Puppy Rescued by Tracy's Dog Rescue

Prissy-A dog Rescued by Tracy's Dog Rescue

Dallas SPCA-press release from SPCA of Texas

Williamson County Day of Rescue-A video of the day WilCo rescued animals

 

Editorial From Uvalde Leader News by Craig Garnett

 

Saving animals column – 4-15-12

 

Animal treatment

reflects on all of us

 

It would seem safe to say that Uvalde has gone to the dogs in the last couple of weeks. Since the seizure of the Uvalde Animal Shelter on April 3 by county officials, we have published numerous stories, photographs and even video of the ongoing news story.

It is a story, by the way, that no one can take pride in. Conditions at the shelter located just north of the city on Hwy. 83 were beyond deplorable. If you have any question about whether intervention was necessary, watch the video on our website at uvaldeleadernews.com. Be warned that the footage, shot by a former animal shelter volunteer shortly before the facility was seized, is graphic.

It also begs the question why? Why were animals allowed to live amidst overcrowding, disease and parasites? The best answer seems to be money, people and out of sight, out of mind. There were not enough funds to provide veterinary care and adequate shelter for nearly 200 animals, not enough volunteers to keep the surroundings clean and vermin free and the rest of us did not really care to know.

 Members of the Humane Society of Uvalde, who were called on after April 3 to care for the animals until they can be dispersed to new homes, have had their hands full trying to clean the shelter and feed and deliver medical care for the animals.  

No doubt I am biased when to comes to HSU. My wife is a charter member and the effort that she and the many other volunteers have put into getting the organization up and running effectively over the last five years is nothing short of admirable.

That sentiment has grown even more watching them deal with the present  crisis at the animal shelter. They have been out there day and night for almost two weeks, scrubbing kennels, treating dogs and working to find new homes for them. If you could Google “nasty jobs,” this kind of work would have to top the list of responses.

So how does the story end? First, as agreed upon in a hearing Wednesday before Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Bobby McIntosh, Friends of the Uvalde Animal Shelter must pay HSU $12,500 for expenses incurred in caring for the animals (medicine, veterinary bills, food, etc.). HSU, in turn, has two weeks to move the animals to new homes and then, after full restitution, the animal shelter can reopen, as long as at least 90 days have passed from the time of the hearing.

But that is not the true end of the story. The Uvalde Animal Shelter should never again operate on the present site. Years of animal waste, decaying carcasses and disease have rendered the facility uninhabitable for man or beast. It has become more of a toxic waste dump than a shelter.

What needs to happen next is for the city of Uvalde and Uvalde County to collaborate on a new facility. It does not have to be  large, maybe big enough for 40 or 50 animals. It could be located at the fairplex, for example, and staffed by HSU volunteers.

By limiting the population, you control expenses. It would not be a no-kill shelter, but rather a clean, well maintained place for dogs that have gone stray to await return to their owners or for HSU volunteers to find foster homes for on the way to permanent homes.

The sad but inescapable truth is that not all dogs can be saved. Some, because of breeding or mistreatment, cannot be trusted around us or our children. Others, because of disease or neglect, cannot be saved within a reasonable medical budget.

But most can. And through spay/neuter programs, ongoing education and acceptance of the fact that the way we treat our animal population is a direct reflection on all of us, such a facility is a must.

If we can build and maintain the necessary infrastructure – streets, sewers, civic centers, football fields and arenas – to be called a modern, forward looking city that is attractive to new people and business, then we must provide the same for our pets.

After what we have seen in the last two weeks, out of sight can no longer be out of mind.

 

HUMANE SOCIETY OF UVALDE NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

(Uvalde, TX); April 6, 2012—On Tuesday April 3rd, Uvalde County officials executed the seizure of all animals at the Uvalde Animal Shelter located on hwy 83 in Uvalde County.  This occurred following complaints of poor living conditions and concerns the animals were being neglected.  The Humane Society of Uvalde, a local organization not affiliated with any national, state or other organization, has been awarded temporary custody of the animals until a hearing determines whether the animals will be returned to the Animal Shelter or become permanent custody of the Humane Society of Uvalde.

 

During the interim, the animals will remain at the facility located on Highway 83. Approximately 215 animals were seized at the facility.  The Humane Society of Uvalde is responsible for feeding and maintaining the pets until a decision is made at the Wednesday hearing.  Several veterinarians are evaluating the health of the animals and the living conditions.  Evidence and testimony will be present at the hearing on Wednesday April 11th at 9am. The hearing is open to the public.

 

The Humane Society of Uvalde is in need of supplies such as bleach, paper towels, plastic shopping bags, trash bags, metal food/water bowls and plastic doghouses.  Items can be left at the HWY 83 location, at the HSU office located behind HEB or in our drop box at the Uvalde Wal-Mart near the eye center.  Monetary donations can be made at www.hsuvalde.com via paypal, or mailed to PO Box 1650 Uvalde Texas, 78802.

 

 

 


(Tick Accumulation on the ear)


Due to the upcoming hearing, additional photos are not being released at this time.  The hearing is open to the public.

 

 

All donations are tax deductible


Please consider donating to the pets of Uvalde

Donation Item Request:
Bleach
Paper Towels
Trash bags
Pet Food
cat litter
gift cards to local stores

Monetary donations can be made online


***all donations are tax deductible***

save your plastic grocery bags and drop them off with HSU

HSU has a donation box at Walmart in the Customer Service Center
or donations can be left at our office

 


 
 

You can also stop by the HSU office

Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs 10a-2pm & Fri 9-1p and donate there

 



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Humane Society of Uvalde