Windsor group plans rescue mission for pets abandoned during Texas floods

As the flood waters in Texas receded, reports of thousands of abandoned pets began pouring in, so Lauren Edwardsand three other animal loversfrom Windsor decided to do something about it.

• 'We keep on going back out there': The race to save Houston's abandoned pets

"The pictures we're seeing are just cages and cages of dogs stacked on top of each other," explained Edwards, the founder of Moggy Cat Rescue.

Hurricane Harvey hit parts of Texas on Aug. 25, destroying hundreds of homes, killing at least 82 and leaving miles of the state underwater. Those leading the rescue effort say there's no way to estimate how many pets were left behind as owners fled.

In the aftermath, Edwards saidpictures of animal welfare groups struggling to help all of the abandoned animals pouring in were the type that "tear at your heart."

"They're all people who have devoted their lives to rescuing animals and now they're in a position where they're losing their own houses, trying to feed themselves and take care of these animals," she added.

The group is planning to rent two vehicles and drive to Barking Mad Animal Rescue in Hemphill, Texas with the goal of bringing abut 30 pets back to Canada.

The animals will need shots before they can cross the border and the group has launched a GoFundMe campaign calling for donations to cover gas, vet care and supplies for the shelter.

They plan to hold a fundraiser with a silent auction and bake sale at Pet Support in Tecumseh Wednesday and will continue accepting donations online until they leave on September 22.

"It's becoming a reality very quickly so we're excited to go," said Edwards.

Texas has a mandatory 30-day hold on animal adoptions to give people a chance to find their pets, and the rescue group will only be leaving with animals that were already at the shelter before the flood.

"That way there's no fear of taking anyone's pets back to Canada," Edwards explained.

Once the animals are back in Canada they'll be cared for by the Windsor-EssexCounty Humane Society, Love of Paws Animal Rescue, Second Chance Auction andAnimal Rescue and Moggy's Cat Rescue.

After vet checks and a few weeks in quarantine the animals will all be up for adoption.

For updates on the group's mission check out #MoggySavesTexasonline or follow the group on Facebook.