'Amazing that the dogs survived:' How to help Texas animal shelter hit by EF-3 tornado

Supplies can be mailed in or donations can be made to the Jacksboro National Bank

JACKSBORO, Texas - The Jacksboro, Texas animal shelter was damaged by a tornado Monday during a severe weather outbreak sweeping across the South.

The National Weather Service has received reports of at least 21 tornadoes across Texas and 26 people injured in the outbreak that began Monday evening.

Jacksboro High School suffered significant damages, and according to the Humane Society of Wichita County, the local animal shelter was also damaged by the twister. 

The NWS later confirmed an EF-3 tornado touched down in Jack County near Jacksboro with maximum winds between 140-150 mph.

Damages were still being assessed at the Jacksboro Animal Shelter on Tuesday, according to the director of the Humane Society.

Kay Wlodarek with Tall Tails Rescue and Transport told FOX Weather the organization rescued 11 dogs from the damaged animal shelter and took the pups to Live Oak Animal Hospital in Springtown. Five of the dogs have owners, four of those will be going home. 

"It was kind of hard getting there," Wlodarek said, adding power lines were down and debris was blocking roadways.

"There was no shelter, there was no roof. Their pins were just smashed together," she said. "It's amazing that the dogs survived."

[FOX Weather is live with the FOX Weather Wire covering live updates on the multiday outbreak threatening the South, impacting millions of Americans. Click here for live updates.]

The Humane Society asked for possible fosters for dogs on Facebook, and the community quickly responded.

The kennels at Jacksboro were destroyed, and the shelter will not have a place to house animals. 

Some of the dogs will need homes, including one pup that is deaf, according to Wlodarek.

How to help

Those who wish to help can either mail supplies to P.O. Box 322, Jacksboro, Texas 76458 or donate to the shelter account with the Jacksboro National Bank. 

People are asked not to drive to the shelter and leave supplies because first responders are still in the area, and damages are still being assessed. 

According to the Humane Society, the best donations to help local shelters after a storm include gift cards or supplies such as dog food.

The Humane Society has also been in contact with nonprofit Animal Investigations and Response, which can assist with disaster response for pets and animals.

Displaced pets after a storm

In severe weather, pets can get separated from their owners.

FOX Weather journalist Hunter Davis was further south on Tuesday in Crockett, Texas, where more possible tornado damages were being assessed. She came across the pup below, who may have been lost.

Ensuring that your pet has a registered microchip and wearing their collar with contact information is helpful in severe weather.

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According to the Humane Society, after a storm, if you are missing your pet, it's best to check with municipal animal shelters to file a missing pet report. Then check with surrounding community shelters.

Even if it takes time, the Human Society says lost pets have been reunited with their owners months later. 

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