The story of a dog named Superman is capturing the hearts of animal lovers and rescue workers across the United States following devastating floods in Central Texas. The flooding has claimed more than 120 lives and left at least 160 individuals missing. As rescue efforts continue, workers hope that Superman’s plight will raise awareness and support for pets affected by such disasters.
Heavy rainfall in Kerr County, approximately 100 miles from Austin, transformed the Guadalupe River from a height of around 3 feet to over 30 feet in a matter of hours. Many residents were forced to evacuate their homes quickly, leaving behind pets as they sought safety. A poignant image shared on the Austin Pets Alive! Facebook page shows Superman, a muscular light brown dog, amidst the wreckage of what was once his home. He sits patiently, wearing a collar, with his paws dangling over a broken beam, waiting for his family.
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, CEO and president of Austin Pets Alive!, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing homeless pets, noted that the organization has mobilized approximately 1,000 volunteers and multiple veterinarians to assist in the rescue efforts. The team is working alongside local rescue groups to care for animals left behind. They have relocated hundreds of pets from local shelters to accommodate those coming in from the flooding, with the aim of reuniting them with their families as quickly as possible.
Jefferson described the scene of destruction as “kind of unbelievable,” adding that the speed of the floodwaters made survival for any animal unlikely. “How anyone survived the flooding, animal or human, is a marvel,” she remarked.
The circumstances surrounding Superman’s rescue are particularly tragic. According to Jefferson, the dog had been part of a family that attempted to save him as the water rose. While a family member managed to pull him from the water, they sadly lost their life during the evacuation. Rescuers discovered Superman alone atop the debris of his home, waiting for someone to return.
In the days following the floods, volunteers have scoured the area in search of lost pets, with many successfully found. Some animals sustained injuries and are receiving care at a mobile veterinary clinic set up on-site. In one trailer park, despite the chaos, several cats were found alive and responsive to rescuers’ calls.
Jefferson noted that Superman exhibited signs of fear and territorial behavior when he was first found, snapping at rescuers trying to assist him. However, with the intervention of trained behavior teams, Superman gradually learned to trust the rescuers. Once he felt safe, he walked on a leash and even rode in a car, flanked by smiling volunteers wearing Kerrville Pets Alive! and Austin Pets Alive! shirts.
After receiving a clean bill of health from a veterinarian, Superman was placed in a temporary foster home. Jefferson shared that while the dog’s family has lost everything, they remain connected to him. “We know that they love him and he’s part of the family. He’s one of those things that is keeping them connected to the people they lost,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of the human-animal bond during such traumatic times.
Superman’s story is now serving as a beacon of hope, shining a light on the ongoing challenges faced by pets and their owners in the aftermath of the flood. The awareness generated by his rescue has garnered attention from various media outlets, prompting donations to support ongoing rescue efforts.
“It’s a real group effort to help these animals, for sure,” Jefferson said, expressing gratitude for the community’s support. The collaboration among veterinarians, volunteers, and rescue organizations exemplifies the resilience and compassion that emerge in times of crisis.
As Superman settles into his foster home, he continues to inspire those around him. “He was well-loved, clearly,” Jefferson remarked. “He is definitely a good, good boy with a totally appropriate name.”
