43 cats and dogs arrive in Chicago from flood-damaged Houston after Harvey

CHICAGO — Volunteers in Chicago have returned from Houston with 43 cats and dogs that their owners in flood-damaged Houston felt they had no choice but to give up for good.

It was a more than 21-hour drive.

PAWS Chicago said the trip was a necessary journey in order to make room for homeless pets that continue arriving in shelters in Houston and the surrounding areas after Harvey.

The organization said many families who have lost everything are giving up their animals because they can no longer care for them. They hope relocating the animals will help them find a new home.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports volunteers from PAWS Chicago spent three days in Houston and returned Sunday, September 3rd with the animals in three vans.

Volunteer Mark Lukas says the owners were tearful about parting with their pets. But he says the owners themselves no longer had homes and were happy the animals, including puppies and kittens, would find shelter.

The volunteers were moved by the support the received in Texas. Customers at one restaurant collected money to pay for the volunteers' dinner.

Most of the animals require some medical treatment, including for skin diseases. Once treated, they'll be available for adoption.