American Humane Society’s Rescue Team deploys wherever animals are in danger. Our first responders travel the country with a fleet of specially equipped 50-foot rescue vehicles and boats, rescuing animals in the aftermath of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods and large-scale neglect or cruelty cases.
In 2025, the team supported the airlifting of 340+ shelter animals to safety during the Los Angeles wildfires, reunited more than 1,060 pets with their families, and delivered more than 63,300 pet meals to animals in need. In 2024, American Humane Society rescued and sheltered 1,200 animals across seven disaster responses and assisted more than 85,000 animals.
Between deployments, free pet wellness clinics bring veterinary care to underserved and disaster-prone communities, serving 628 pets in 2025.
We also prepare volunteers and first responders for the field through our DHS-approved Animal Emergency Services Training, with 500 responders trained last year. And the Pet Preparedness Toolkit helps families plan ahead so pets are never left behind.
Here is a running record of our recent rescue operations, wellness clinics and training efforts.
2026: Flood Response and Large-Scale Neglect Cases
Hawaii Floods — Oahu
Back-to-back storms pummeled Hawaii with heavy rain in March, flooding low-lying areas of Oahu and stranding animals across the island. Our Rescue Team deployed at the request of local organizations and worked alongside the Hawaiian Humane Society, Maui Humane Society and Hawaii County Animal Control and Protection Agency.
The team conducted welfare checks, rescued vulnerable animals, including a litter of puppies who had lost their mother as floodwaters rose, and provided food, water and care for kittens and other displaced animals.
Before departing, the team coordinated with local partners to help ensure continued care for animals still being found in affected areas.
By the numbers:
- 21,200 dog meals and 34,900 cat meals provided to animals in need.
Texas Animal Neglect Rescue — South of Dallas
Our Rescue Team responded to a neglect situation involving more than 75 dogs and puppies across three properties south of Dallas. Many animals were terrified and had never received veterinary care. Several puppies were found injured and in urgent need of treatment.
The team worked alongside local partners to assess every animal and deliver emergency veterinary evaluations, food, clean bedding and safe shelter.
Gracie, a senior dog found with a mass on her chest and severe dental disease, is now in foster care and on the road to recovery. Sweetie, a one-year-old dog rescued with a severely injured paw requiring amputation, was also found to be pregnant — adding urgency to an already critical situation. Her veterinary team is managing the next steps in her treatment.
This operation concluded in early May, with Lulu’s Fund and Pet Insurance Gurus providing dollar-for-dollar donation matches to support the effort.
2025: Wildfire Response, Equine Rescue and Expanded Training
Los Angeles Wildfires
Devastating wildfires across the Los Angeles region displaced families, destroyed entire neighborhoods and left countless animals in crisis. American Humane Society led three large-scale transport missions airlifted more than 340 shelter animals to Washington, Oregon and other states, making room in L.A.-area shelters for animals displaced by the fires.
American Humane Society has an 85-year presence in Los Angeles through the No Animals Were Harmed® program and a West Coast office already in the city — a local footprint that allowed the team to respond immediately.
Two Rescue Team units deployed with L.A. County Wildland Animal Search and Rescue to conduct welfare checks in evacuation zones, providing food, water and affection for shelter-in-place animals whose families could not yet return.
L.A.-based office staff shifted into humanitarian relief roles, creating an all-hands response. The team also partnered with World Central Kitchen at community distribution events to ensure pets had access to food and essential supplies alongside their families.
Free wellness clinics provided veterinary exams, vaccinations and flea/tick/heartworm prevention for displaced pets. Families left with care packages containing food, leashes, bowls, blankets and other essentials.
A multi-year Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross was formalized during this response, ensuring animal care remains part of disaster sheltering and preparedness going forward.
By the numbers:
- 340+ shelter animals transported through three lifesaving flights with Wings of Rescue and Paws For Life K-9 Rescue
- 1,660+ welfare checks conducted in evacuation zones
- 1,060+ pets reunited with their families
- 740+ community service calls answered
- 185+ animals cared for or examined at wellness clinics, American Red Cross shelters and Pasadena Humane
- 63,300+ pet meals provided
- 1,330+ care packages distributed
Key partners: PEDIGREE Foundation, PetSmart Charities, Timothy T. Day Foundation, Wings of Rescue, Paws For Life K-9 Rescue, Destination Pet Foundation, Ethos Veterinary Health, National Veterinary Associates, Zoetis, The Honest Kitchen, Brutus Bone Broth, Costco Wholesale, Hill’s, Lulu’s Fund, Mars Inc., Nylabone and Universal Studios.
Texas Equine Neglect Case
The Rescue Team arrived at the scene of a massive animal neglect case in Texas involving more than 100 animals, mainly horses and donkeys, that had gone far too long without proper nutrition, medical attention or basic care.
Working alongside five veterinarians, the team conducted thorough medical assessments, administered vaccines, cleaned wounds and treated injuries and illnesses. Dozens of horses and donkeys were transferred to safe locations for continued care and rehabilitation.
Spirit, a draft horse found underweight with a gaping, untreated leg wound and living in unsanitary conditions, received urgent veterinary care and is now flourishing at a local Texas rescue. Ella, a miniature horse, was adopted by one of the team’s animal care contractors and is now living on a farm with her family.
Wellness Clinics and Rescue Training
American Humane Society expanded free pet wellness clinics into disaster-prone and underserved communities, supported by PEDIGREE Foundation, Mars, Banfield Pet Hospital, VCA Animal Hospitals and Zoetis.
Nashville, Tennessee: Local families brought cats and dogs for free wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention and microchipping. Families also went home with care packages filled with food, treats, leashes, bowls and blankets.
Belle Glade, Florida: The clinic brought veterinary services to an area critically underserved in pet care, helping animals stay safe through hurricane season and beyond.
2025 wellness clinic totals:
- 628 pets served
- 518 vaccinations administered
- 206 microchips placed
- 310 animals spayed or neutered
Animal Emergency Services Training: The DHS-approved, two-day disaster response course trained 500 attendees across 21 sessions, including hands-on training at the American Humane Society Sanctuary in Palm City, Florida. Through the Mars Ambassador Program, Mars employees from around the world traveled to the Sanctuary for training led by the Rescue Team.
2024: Four-Hurricane Season and Owner-Surrender Rescues
Hurricane Season: Debby, Francine, Helene and Milton
The 2024 hurricane season brought four major storms to the southern United States. The Rescue Team, with support from a $125,000 grant from PEDIGREE Foundation, deployed across Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida in response to Hurricanes Debby, Francine, Helene and Milton.
Helene and Milton struck back-to-back, and the Rescue Team moved continuously between states over several weeks.
Hurricane Milton — Florida: The team mobilized directly from North Carolina to Florida after Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm. Partnering with Hillsborough County Animal Services in Tampa, the team conducted water rescues to reach flooded properties where pets and livestock, including dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, a turkey and chickens, had been left behind. Pet food and supplies were delivered to area shelters to stabilize operations.
The Palm Beach office organized a food and supply drive, collecting dog crates, 375 cases of cat food, 40 pounds of kitty litter, dog beds, collars, leashes, harnesses, dog food, blankets, bird feed and treats for distribution to affected communities.
Hurricane Helene — Western North Carolina: Communication blackouts and blocked access routes had cut off many communities in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene moved through.
Working alongside ASAR Training and Response and six other partner organizations, the team reached 54 communities across three counties. They distributed more than 4,100 pounds of dog food and 1,400 pounds of cat food, along with crates, water and medical supplies. Thirteen puppies from two litters were rescued and safely transported to a shelter, where all found permanent homes.
Hurricane Helene — South Georgia: After receiving a request from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the team established a base at the Tift County Agricultural Extension in Tifton.
Over seven days, staff responders, communications experts and partner responders from the Louisiana State Animal Response Team covered 10 counties, connected with 146 facilities, assessed 81 sites directly and provided food, water and care to more than 212 animals. The team delivered 90 gallons of water to a Lanier County animal control shelter housing nine dogs without power.
Key partners: Destination Pet Foundation, PEDIGREE Foundation, Mars, NARSC, Georgia Department of Agriculture, LSART, ASAR Training and Response, Hillsborough County Animal Services, PetSmart Charities and Bissell Pet Foundation.
East Texas Dog Rescue
Fifty dogs in East Texas needed care and new homes after their owner was diagnosed with a medical condition and could no longer care for them.
The Rescue Team coordinated with local shelters and national rescue organizations to provide veterinary examinations and transport. Approximately 25 of the dogs were placed locally; the remaining 25 were air-transported to shelters in the Northeast with support from the Bissell Pet Foundation.
Central Louisiana Dog Rescue
A month after the East Texas response, the team was on the ground in Central Louisiana where 40 dogs needed immediate care. The elderly, ailing owner could no longer handle them, and many dogs were emaciated. The team worked with the owner to release the dogs into their care, then coordinated rehabilitation and placement into permanent homes.
Wellness Clinic — Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
In partnership with Zoetis, a free pet wellness clinic served more than 250 pets in Terrebonne Parish, a community where American Humane Society had previously provided support after Hurricane Ida. Veterinarians provided rabies and species-specific vaccinations, flea and tick treatments and microchipping at no cost. Families also received Pet Preparedness Kits.
2024 Rescue Totals
- 1,200 animals rescued and sheltered across 7 disaster responses
- 85,000+ total animals assisted
- 550 volunteers trained
- 11,000+ pounds of dog food delivered (35,200 meals)
- 4,000 pounds of cat food delivered (40,000 meals)
- 220+ essential pet care items gathered
2023: Tornado Response
Tennessee Tornado — Tipton County
The Rescue Team deployed to Tipton County, Tennessee, after two devastating tornadoes displaced and injured countless animals. We helped set up kennels, distribute food and arrange transports. Alongside Tipton County Animal Shelter, we cared for more than 110 dogs and cats.
Georgia Tornadoes — Spalding County
After multiple tornadoes tore through Georgia on January 12, American Humane Society deployed its Rescue Team and 50-foot rescue truck to Spalding County as part of a coordinated effort with the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition.
Working alongside Spalding County Animal Care and Control, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Atlanta Humane, the team helped maintain a temporary emergency shelter for rescued animals over a nearly three-week deployment.
The team evaluated and facilitated medical care, reunited pets with their owners and collaborated with local officials and rescue organizations to help more than 130 displaced pets.
Preparedness and Training Resources
Pet Preparedness Toolkit: A downloadable guide covering evacuation planning, emergency kit checklists, microchipping, veterinary record storage and more.
Pet Disaster Preparedness Guide: Step-by-step resources for keeping pets safe before, during and after emergencies.
Animal Emergency Services Training: A DHS-approved, two-day course on the fundamentals of disaster response. Certified Animal Rescue Responders are located throughout the United States and may be called upon to deploy when animals are affected by natural or human-made disasters.
National Preparedness Month: Each September, American Humane Society raises awareness about disaster readiness for pets and families through educational resources, training events and community outreach.
The American Humane Society Rescue Team was founded more than 100 years ago during World War I. Since then, our animal first responders have been on the ground for disasters throughout our nation’s history.
Our rescue units are stationed across the country to ensure a swift response whenever and wherever animals are in crisis. Learn more about our lifesaving rescue work or to donate to support that work.