Central Texas was hit hard by heavy rainfall and flash floods following the July 4th weekend. While emergency crews responded to human needs, another group was working just as urgently: Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR). In just a matter of days, the nonprofit organization received over 200 distressed animals, including ducklings, squirrels, raccoons, woodpeckers, and more.
The surge of incoming animals overwhelmed the shelter, which operates with limited space and resources. Still, staff and volunteers worked around the clock to provide warmth, food, and medical treatment to wildlife that had been stranded or injured by rising waters.
Who Was Rescued
Among the more than 200 animals rescued were ducklings that had been swept away from their mothers and found alone in flooded neighborhoods. Red-bellied woodpeckers and other birds arrived after suffering collisions or injuries caused by flying debris. Fox squirrels and raccoons were frequently found cold and soaked after being trapped in flooded dens.
Small mammals like cottontail rabbits and opossums—many of them young and without their mothers—were also brought in. Some animals were hypothermic, dehydrated, or injured, while others were simply too young to survive on their own after being displaced by the floodwaters.
Why Floods Pose a Huge Threat to Wildlife
Wild animals, particularly babies, are extremely vulnerable during sudden storms. Fast-moving water can collapse nests and dens, wash young animals into unfamiliar areas, cause traumatic injuries, and lead to hypothermia or starvation. Flooding also forces displaced wildlife into closer contact with humans, often turning up in garages, sheds, or backyards. These encounters are when many people reach out to wildlife rescue centers for help.
The Team Behind the Response
Austin Wildlife Rescue, a nonprofit that serves the Central Texas region, has long prepared for seasonal surges, but this year’s floods created an exceptional challenge.
Volunteers stepped in quickly to manage the influx. They rotated shifts, cleaned enclosures, and administered basic first aid. Veterinarians treated injured birds and mammals, while staff created warm recovery zones using heating pads, towels, and insulated shelters.
In many cases, animals will need to remain at the center for days or even weeks before they’re ready to return to the wild.
How the Public Can Help
While most people aren’t wildlife rehabilitators, there are still practical ways to support rescues like this:
- Donate to local wildlife shelters—financial support helps provide formula, medicine, and shelter.
- Volunteer time or supplies, especially during disaster recovery periods.
- Keep an eye out for displaced or injured animals and report sightings rather than attempting to intervene.
- Educate your neighborhood about coexisting with wildlife—especially after storms, when animals may be in unfamiliar areas.
Even something as simple as safely placing a box over a baby animal and calling a rescue line can mean the difference between life and death.
What Happens to the Rescued Animals?
After being stabilized, each animal undergoes a review to determine if and when it can be safely released. Some will return to their original habitat, while others may need to be relocated. In all cases, the goal is to keep animals wild and limit human contact during recovery.
Austin Wildlife Rescue continues to monitor local conditions and respond to new calls. With weather patterns becoming more extreme, rescue teams expect a rising need for services each year.
A Message of Hope
Despite the chaos of floods and storms, the outpouring of compassion from the Central Texas community has shown what’s possible when people step up for animals in need. From the smallest duckling to the hungriest raccoon, every rescued life is a win—for wildlife, for ecosystems, and for the people who care.
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