RISPCA matches donations to Harvey animal victims

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) is matching donations to the Houston branch of the SPCA to help animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey. Flooding has inundated southern Texas including the Houston metropolitan area, the fourth most most populous in the country. Eric St. Peter, Communications Director at the RISPCA, said that animal rescue efforts can help people find their pets after natural disasters. “Sometimes they’re separated in all the chaos,” St. Peter said. “I think it’s awful, to not only lose your home but to lose your furry friends just makes it all that much worse.” The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas has already received over 200 storm victims including baby squirrels, opossums, fawns, ducks and rabbits, according to the Houston Chronicle. They expect more animal patients as the floodwaters recede. “Our hearts go out to everybody down in Texas that is dealing with any kind of hardship,” St. Peter said. Checks can be made out to the Houston SPCA and sent or dropped off at the Rhode Island branch, which will deliver the checks directly to Texas. Donations can also be made online at RISPCA.com.