Ingram, Texas – A devastating flood has left a trail of destruction in Ingram, with heavy rains causing the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet overnight. The disaster, which occurred last Friday, has resulted in at least 120 confirmed fatalities and more than 170 individuals reported missing, as local authorities grapple with the aftermath.
As residents sift through the wreckage, many have reported their pets missing, prompting a community-wide effort to reunite them with their owners.
Sherry Sweeney, a volunteer from Austin Pets Alive!, has joined the search for lost animals. Driven by compassion and the desire to help, she made the long drive of over five hours after hearing about the desperate need for assistance in the disaster zone.
Amid the chaos of a trailer park overtaken by debris, Sweeney calmly calls out to a small tabby cat hiding among the ruins. She holds out a handful of cat food in hopes of coaxing the animal out from its hiding spot. However, the cat fears the approaching stranger and darts under a pile of debris that was once someone’s home.
Having participated in rescue efforts for years after other local disasters, Sweeney understands the urgency of finding these animals. “I would want someone to do it for me,” she says, her voice shaky with emotion. “I can’t help with anything else, but I can help with their pets.”
Her focus is primarily on capturing cats, which tend to be more elusive than dogs in chaotic situations. “A dog after something goes on, they’re like ‘Hey, I’m right here! Come get me!’ But a cat doesn’t do that. A cat’s gonna hide for days,” Sweeney explains.
This instinct to hide poses significant risks for the cats, as they navigate through the rubble and debris, often in danger of injury from machines clearing the area.
After some time, Sweeney succeeds in capturing one cat—a fluffy, grey creature with striking green eyes—who meows from inside a nearby carrier. With this small victory, she moves to the front of the park, where a home still stands, though it is severely damaged.
71-year-old Cindy McCarthey emerges to meet Sweeney, sharing her own tragic story amidst the wreckage of her home. The owner of eight cats prior to the flood, McCarthey’s world was turned upside down as she watched her belongings and her pets get swept away.
“I don’t know where to start; this is just overwhelming,” she admits, sorting through the remnants of her life with her daughter-in-law, Laura McCarthey.
Cindy has found solace in her pets, particularly since the passing of her husband last October. “They’ve been a great comfort to me,” she says with a wistful look. When the floodwaters rose inside her home, she was left with only a few of her beloved cats.
She recounts how Bear-bear tragically drowned, caught beneath her bed as the water surged. Meanwhile, another cat, Rambo, escaped through a window as a tree crashed into the home.
“Rambo jumped out the bedroom window when a tree went through it,” she remembers, concerned that he likely didn’t survive. As Sweeney sets a trap for the missing cats, she points out these animals can become disoriented and struggle to return home in a landscape that is unrecognizable.
Suddenly, a call from outside interrupts their conversation—Sweeney has caught a cat in the trap. Eagerly, Cindy rushes to see if it might be Rambo.
When Sweeney shows her the black and grey cat thrashing in the trap, relief washes over Cindy. “That’s Rambo!” she exclaims with tears of joy. “He’s alive!”
Plans are quickly made for Rambo to be taken to the local shelter, Kerrville Pets Alive, where veterinarians will assess him before he can be reunited with his owner later that day.
Dr. Mallory Cade examines Rambo at the shelter, noting that they have primarily received cats since the flood. “They can climb trees and get away, so we’re going to see more cats than dogs make it out,” Cade explains, while acknowledging that dogs have also arrived at the shelter.
Kerrville Pets Alive has taken in hundreds of reports of missing pets, creating a database to match lost animals with their owners. They also work to identify deceased pets, aiming to provide closure for those still searching.
President and co-founder Karen Guerriero describes their role as “first responders for animals,” highlighting the situation’s emotional toll on residents who have lost so much. Many in the area rely on their pets for companionship and comfort in the wake of tragedy.
“You’ve got your heart hurting. And so it’s kind of healing to have these reunions between pets and people,” Guerriero shares, echoing the sentiments of many in the community. “This is a retirement community, so for many people here, their pet is their most important thing.”
As the sun sets on another day in Ingram, Sherry Sweeney returns to her mission. She continues to set traps, call for cats, and patiently wait for their return home. Each successful reunion brings a ray of hope in a community grappling with profound loss, and Sweeney remains determined to help where she can.
image source from：npr
