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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A dog named Superman was found frightened and alone atop a pile of debris after catastrophic flash floods tore through Central Texas late last week.
Animal rescue Austin Pets Alive! described Superman as "fearful and aching after being swept away from his home." The dog was discovered after "his person" died in the floods.
Kerrville Pets Alive! performed a medical evaluation on Superman before placing him in the care of a local foster volunteer.
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Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for Austin Pets Alive!, told Newsweek that the organization has taken in more than 230 animals from nearby shelters. She said she received "word that 50 cats and kittens are coming into our shelter from another Texas animal shelter that had to evacuate due to flooding."
"When APA! saw the reports about the flooding, we assembled a team of veterinarians, staff and volunteers and arrived early Friday afternoon in Kerr County to help in any way we were needed," Chase said.
The Context
Superman's rescue is among many animal survival stories emerging against the backdrop of the devastation in Central Texas. Local groups like Austin Pets Alive! have also mobilized search teams and established emergency veterinary care for animals separated from their families.
The natural disaster has caused at least 81 deaths, with communities across the area reeling from the destruction.
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What To Know
Austin Pets Alive! said volunteers worked patiently to earn Superman's trust before bringing him to safety. The dog was then assessed by the group's medical team and placed with a temporary foster family. The shelter said it plans to later reunite Superman with his owner's family.
"His surviving family, now grieving and having lost everything, are doing everything they can to hold on to the last piece of their past that remains—Superman. But they can't do it alone, so we quickly got to work to find their beloved pet a temporary foster until they get back on their feet," the rescue said in a Facebook post.
Kerrville Pets Alive! and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter are also working to rescue and recover animals dislodged by the flood.
Chase described Austin Pets Alive! as a nonprofit animal shelter that coordinates with other shelters throughout the state to increase lifesaving efforts.
"We have over 200 people on staff and over 1000 volunteers working on our lifesaving mission and to prevent needless euthanasia in shelters," Chase said.
Austin Pets Alive! deployed riverbank search teams of 20 to 30 volunteers and established a mobile veterinary hospital in Kerrville to treat rescued pets, CBS Austin reported. The group reported taking in around 100 displaced animals. Foster families and volunteers have been sought to help care for rescued animals while permanent solutions are found.
Major flash floods walloped Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, causing the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet within two hours, triggering evacuations and search operations. The disaster was especially severe in Kerrville and other parts of "flash flood alley." The rapidly rising waters swept away homes and left dozens of people killed, missing or displaced.
Search efforts for survivors have included more than 1,000 personnel deployed statewide, including helicopters, boats and drones. Rescue teams advised residents against self-led searches, citing ongoing hazards.
What People Are Saying
Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for Austin Pets Alive!, told Newsweek: "The Central Texas community has been incredibly generous, dropping off canned pet food, blankets, towels and crates. They have volunteered to help transport animals from Kerr County and help with the search and rescue efforts. We are so grateful!"
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Austin Pets Alive! president and CEO, in a statement: "It's been devastating for all living beings. So many people are searching for their pets that are the last connection they might have to a lost family member. Pets are so intertwined in this saga and it's so important."
Austin Wildlife Rescue, in a Facebook post: "Please continue to look out for wildlife that might be lost or washed out from the recent floods. If you're not sure if a wild animal needs help or not, please give us a call and our staff will be happy to help."
What Happens Next
Local, state and federal agencies are expected to continue search-and-rescue missions for people and animals as communities recover from this disaster.
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Update 7/8/25, 10:02 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Austin Pets Alive! Community Affairs Officer Suzi Chase.
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