MSPCA heading to Texas to transport animals impacted by deep freeze back to Mass.

BOSTON (WHDH) - The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is heading down to Texas to transport pets impacted by the deep freeze back to the Bay State.

The MSPCA-Angell sent four vans equipped with dozens of empty carriers and space for nearly 100 pets down to Texas, where a blast of winter weather recently overwhelmed the electrical grid in Texas and left millions, including animals, shivering in the cold.

“For the animals that are being surrendered because they can’t be cared for overall, those animals are surging in shelters right now and it’s important for us to give them a little breathing room so they can continue to work on what their community needs from an animal perspective without being totally overwhelmed,” said Michael Keiley who serves as Director for the Adoption Centers and Programs.

Some animals ended up freezing to death at a sanctuary in San Antonio, including chimpanzees, monkeys, lemurs, and birds.

“The animals that are coming up from the Texas shelters are healthy and seem behaviorally very sound, so we’re really thrilled that they’re getting a second chance to live,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, CEO of Austin Pets Alive.

The MSPCA says team members plan on bringing as many pets as they can back to Mass., where they will have to quarantine for a few days but demand for adoptable animals is said to be soaring.

“They’re so resilient. They can bounce back from anything,” Jefferson said.

The MSPCA says that during tough times it is important for people to take care of themselves and their pets.

The human-animal bond is incredibly important,” Keiley said. “When it comes to disaster relief, we have to make sure animals and people are accounted for equally.”

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