Houston SPCA denies rumors that pets are being euthanized

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston SPCA is working to rescue pets who may have gotten separated from their owners during Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods, and to dispel the rumor that those animals are then being put down.

The rescue group issued a statement that read, "The Houston SPCA has been the subject of a vicious and false rumor that claims that we are euthanizing the very animals we are currently rescuing. This is unequivocally false. Our teams on are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue, care for and reunite pets with owners displaced by this catastrophe."

A spokesperson for the shelter told ABC13 that lost pets that are not claimed in 45 days will be relocated to foster homes by local and regional veterinarians.

Their statement continued, "We all have come together as a community to save countless lives as Harvey's aftermath continues to plague parts of our city and surrounding areas. We are on the ground, and in boats, searching and rescuing for all animals who are in need, caring for them by our team of vets and working towards reuniting them. Veterinarians throughout Texas will be working with us to foster the thousands of storm victims we anticipate rescuing and bringing to the Houston SPCA."

The app FindingRover.com is also being utilized with facial recognition software and Harvey-specific update to help reunite owners with lost pets.

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