A team of 7 - Shawn Witzell, Rob Greig, Alex McKay,   Tim Alamenciak, Curtis Cluett, F rankie Waite and Denise Angus took the 5000 km trip to Houston, Texas to help aid the overwhelm of local rescues in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They were supported back in Toronto by Katherine Wellman, Jenna Walker and Nicole Simone who managed all the logistics required to ensure the dogs had a safe place to land when their journey was complete.

Houston covers 600 square miles, and though it can be challenged, it's said there are between 500,000 and 1 million stray pets on the streets. Whatever the number, there's a lot of pets without homes and Houstonians are always working towards lowering the stray pet population. Then Hurricane Harvey roared though Houston amplifying the amount of pets without homes, with even fewer Houstonians in a position to adopt.  

In order to make room for displaced dogs in Houston to have a safe place to land until being reunited with their families, Redemption Paws, a Toronto based registered not for profit corporation, returned to Toronto September 11, after a 5 day round trip journey with 39 dogs that were already in shelter/rescue long term. Some deemed unadoptable in Texas due to special needs.  Redemption Dogs worked with Houston based rescue,  Hot Mess Pooches to coordinate the dogs that would be returning to Toronto. 

Redemption Paws through incredibly generous donations from the public and organizations such as  Toronto Humane  Society, was also able to fill their 4 vans before leaving Toronto full of humanitarian aid and pet supplies that was delivered to Houston residents in need.

Through partnership with Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Welland Humane Society, and Tri-County Humane Society, all dogs received routine medical care, which included spays/neuters. Though not legally required, all dogs were placed into quarantine for 10 days as mandated by Redemption Paws Board of Directors, to allow the dogs to decompress from their hurricane experience and journey - allow for an opportunity to observe their personalities - and ensure any illnesses are treated before they join our Toronto dog population with their new families.

Applications for  adoption are now being accepted and the dogs are slowly being added to the  Redemption Paws website.  Redemption Paws, founded by Nicole Simone, hopes to aid more dogs in the future in the   face of natural disasters in Canada or if once again needed in the US.