News Summary
Georgetown’s flooding crisis has forced the rescue of shelter animals, prompting an urgent call for foster volunteers from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. The influx of pets has overwhelmed resources, with safe transfers and adoptions underway. Local authorities are managing evacuations and water rescues as roads close and additional flood risks emerge. Community efforts continue to reunite lost pets and support ongoing needs amid this disaster.
Georgetown, TX – Dangerous floodwaters in Georgetown triggered an emergency evacuation of shelter animals on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The Georgetown Animal Shelter took immediate action to transfer all its dogs and cats to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), which was itself nearing capacity and already caring for 145 cats and 204 dogs.
The urgent situation prompted WCRAS to issue a public plea for foster volunteers as they took in an additional 75 cats and 37 dogs from the flooding-affected Georgetown shelter. The influx of animals has placed overwhelming demands on the existing resources of the WCRAS, leading officials to anticipate receiving even more animals from other flood-stricken areas in Williamson County.
By Saturday evening, WCRAS successfully placed 48 dogs and 91 cats into foster homes. Additionally, seven families adopted cats from the shelter, while one lost dog and one lost cat were reunited with their owners. WCRAS encouraged the public to help lost pets by keeping them overnight and posting about their finds on social media to increase chances of reuniting them with their families.
To assist these efforts, WCRAS is open for fostering and adoption from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at their location on 1855 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown, TX 78626. Those interested in becoming foster volunteers can do so without an appointment but may fill out a questionnaire in advance for streamlined processing. Donations to the WCRAS General Donation Fund are also being solicited to support the shelter’s ongoing efforts during this emergency.
As the flood situation progressed, the Williamson County regional management issued a local disaster declaration due to widespread evacuations in various neighborhoods across the county. Early Saturday morning, first responders conducted 25 water rescues in Central Texas, particularly in Burnet County before 8 a.m. Some areas, including Bertram and Burnet, experienced over a foot of rain, leading to dangerous and rapidly rising water levels.
As of 5:15 p.m. Saturday, authorities reported three individuals were still missing as a result of the flooding; however, no deaths had been confirmed. Approximately 1,500 evacuation messages were disseminated throughout Williamson County, while authorities made door-to-door contacts with 55 residents to ensure their safety. In total, 29 roads across the county remain closed due to flooding or damage, with residents warned to avoid flooded areas and adhere to evacuation orders.
The San Gabriel River continues to remain above flood stage, posing an ongoing risk of further flooding in the area. Meanwhile, the City of Georgetown has issued a boil water notice affecting several neighborhoods due to a water main break linked to the flooding situation.
Austin Pets Alive! also contributed to alleviating the strain on WCRAS by accepting 19 dogs from the shelter to create more space for the evacuated animals. With emergency protocols in effect, WCRAS has limited public services, focusing primarily on reuniting lost pets and facilitating foster and adoption inquiries.
The combination of severe weather and the resulting animal evacuation highlights the urgent needs of both the human and animal populations in Georgetown as they navigate the challenges posed by this unprecedented flooding event.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: Fosters needed for dogs and cats evacuated from Georgetown shelter during flooding
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Community Impact: Evacuations underway as San Gabriel River floods in Georgetown
- Google Search: Williamson County flood 2025
- CBS Austin: 2 missing in WilCo amid flooding; rescues, evacuations continue
- Google Scholar: Flood impact on animals
- Hindustan Times: Texas flood: Austin shelter in dire need of foster homes for animals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgetown Texas flood
- Statesman: Travis County officials say 4 dead, 13 missing in floods
- Google News: Georgetown flooding 2025
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
About the HERE Georgetown Staff Writers The HERE Georgetown Staff Writers are a dedicated team of local journalists and contributors focused on delivering accurate, timely news to the Georgetown, SC community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network—which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com—we cover everything from waterfront development and small business news to dining and local culture. Local Expertise Our team includes lifelong Georgetown residents and South Carolina natives with deep knowledge of the region’s history, economy, and coastal identity. We’ve reported on topics like Front Street revitalization, maritime heritage, and local education initiatives. Trusted Journalism With decades of combined experience, we prioritize fact-based reporting, drawing from city records, chamber data, and community voices. Every article is a team effort, researched and verified to meet high editorial standards.