HOUSTON – When the flooding comes like it did Tuesday, the Houston SPCA's Wildlife Center sees an influx of orphaned animals.
They are caring for more than 200 animals, and they expect that number to rise over the next few days.
"It has been a busy day, or busy couple of days, actually, since all these storms," Sharon Schmalz said.
Houston's latest rounds of pounding rain turned up some tiny, often overlooked storm victims.
"These are three little opossums that came in. Their mom was washed away in the storms and they were on her back," Schmalz said.
The nation's largest wildlife center and the Houston SPCA are partners in a noble endeavor: Taking care of wild animals, natives to the area that are now orphaned after the storms.
A cotton-tail baby rabbit was washed out of his den by the rain and flooding.
"This guy (the rabbit) was so wet when he came in. he was just water logged but he's doing much better today," Schmalz said. "These were some little fox squirrels that fell out of the tree."
Perhaps one of mother nature's most beautiful, most innocent creatures that was brought in was a white-tailed fawn.
"This little guy was covered in ants and stuff and he came in the same time as all these other storm victims came in," Schmalz said.
The Wildlife Center will take in more than 10,000 animals in a single year with the help of Houstonians who care enough to stop and pick them up when they're distressed.
Wildlife experts encourage people to keep an eye out for these little guys and bring them into the center for help.
"If we're not here and it's at night, just pick them up with a little rag, put them in a box, leave them warm and quiet," Schmalz said.
The Houston SPCA encourages the community to donate to the organization so they can continue their efforts. In addition to monetary donations, folks can donate dry cat food and dog food, as well as grocery store gift cards.
To donate, visit their website.
