More than 100 human lives have reportedly been claimed by the flash flooding disaster in Texas that occurred in the early hours of July 4, 2025, along the Guadalupe River. While rescue and recovery efforts continue, veterinary health and animal care professionals are working to assist animals and support their families.

Flooding can be caused by thunderstorms with little to no warning. According to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), animals may be displaced and need temporary shelter, feeding, and medical care when there is an event that results in catastrophic loss of life and property, environmental damage, and financial constraints.

 (VET) deployed 6 members and 2 Texas A&M AgriLife Disaster Assessment & Recovery agents to Kerr County in support of Texas A&M Task Forces and other regional partners, according to a university news report. Three additional VET members later joined the team, as it works to provide veterinary care for canine search teams.

“Our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and communities affected by this tragedy,” Deb Zoran, DVM, PhD, MS, director of the VET, said in a university report.

 “This has been a particularly solemn mission; while all loss of life is tremendously sad, the loss of young children hits particularly hard for the entire community and state. We know Aggies everywhere are keeping the folks in this region, and in other flood-ravaged areas of Texas, in their thoughts and prayers.”

According to Texas A&M, local veterinary partners and community animal groups are handling residential animal care and reunification needs, while the VET is focused solely on caring for working dogs. “The community and our state partners are very supportive, and our team is staying strong during these challenging days,” Zoran said in the report.

The VET canine search teams have faced many challenges working along the Guadalupe River basin, including rough terrain, risks of snake bites and injury from debris, and continuing flash flood risks as well as long days searching over miles of terrain. However, working dogs play a vital role in searching for individuals who are still missing.

“These elite canine partners are critical to the mission, and our team is committed to helping them stay healthy, safe, and mission-ready,” Zoran said in the report.

 “We are honored to do our part in supporting these heroes, and we’re hopeful that the search missions will be able to help grieving families find closure.”

Many animal care organizations responding to the flooding disaster in Texas have been identified in local and national media outlets. They include animal rescue groups, veterinary clinics, and welfare organizations. The following are some examples:

Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit shelter that has received more than 300 animals displaced by flooding.

 The organization has a team in Kerrville, Texas, a heavily affected community, that is assisting local shelters in distress, providing medical care to affected animals and distributing supplies to human individuals, coordinating search and rescue efforts for animals, and working on the reunification of pets with their families.

 “We’ve been deploying [volunteers] all over the state to try to find any signs of life of pets and be able to make that connection back to owners, which is really important because people that have lost everything, their pets are maybe the last thing they’ve got” Ellen Jefferson, president and CEO, said in a live video on Facebook.

Wings of Rescue is a nonprofit organization that “flies pets from at-risk shelters and disaster areas to safe havens,” according to its’ Facebook page. Volunteers with the group are in Kerrville and other affected communities, assisting rescue and relief efforts in affected areas. Working in partnership with CUDDLEY, a fundraising and wish list platform, Wings of Rescue flew “several tons of critical supplies to the hardest-hit areas” on July 8, 2025. The organization also planned to fly pets being housed in affected shelters to Utah, rescuing them from potential euthanasia and providing opportunity for these animals to be reunited with family, while also creating room for more local pets to be rescued. “The devastation there is staggering. Shelters are overwhelmed, families are still searching for their beloved pets, and supplies are running dangerously low,” the organization reported in a live Facebook post.

Lindale Veterinary Clinic has been collecting various animal care supplies intended for displaced pets in the affected region. These items include food, crates, blankets, tarps, towels, and small bales of hay. Raul Johnson, DVM, of Lindale, is delivering the supplies and joining a team of veterinarians to provide care to animals on site. “As these flood waters recede, they are expecting a large influx of animals in 3 to 4 days’ time that may need lifesaving care for potential injuries,” Johnson told KLTV on July 7, 2025.

In the event of flooding, there are health concerns with standing water, contaminated floodwaters, and wet feed, according to the TAHC. Animals should be monitored for chemical burns, dermatitis, or hair loss that may be caused by toxic substances in flood waters. Furthermore, foot or hoof health issues may occur with livestock standing in water for an extended period of time, and animals may need booster vaccinations to prevent diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis as well as mosquito-borne diseases in horses.

The TAHC also notes that stress or disorientation in animals may be caused by environmental changes following a flooding situation. As a result, animals may express unusual aggression and should be approached with caution. The public is encouraged to contact a primary care veterinarian for assistance if a condition is suspected of being caused by flooding.

Tips to help prepare clients and the veterinary team for a disaster situation

Natural disaster: Animal preparation and response. Texas Animal Health Commission. Accessed July 8, 2025. 

https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/naturaldisaster.html#fl

Bennett M. Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team deploys to Kerr County in response to central Texas flooding. Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. July 7, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/texas-am-vet-deploys-kerr-county/

Austin Pets Alive! Facebook. July 8, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1An5DAvSVK/

Helping our neighbors affected by devastating floods. Austin Pets Alive! July 8, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.austinpetsalive.org/blog/helping-our-neighbors-affected-by-devastating-floods-in-kerr-county

Wings of Rescue Facebook page. July 7, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/WingsofRescue/

Wings of Rescue. Facebook post. July 8,2025. Accessed July 9, 2025. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EswbqdQrc/

Burns E. Lindale Veterinary Clinic collecting donations for displaced pets in hill country flood. KLTV. July 7, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. 

https://www.kltv.com/2025/07/08/lindale-veterinary-clinic-collecting-donations-displaced-pets-hill-country-floods/

Articles

Veterinary professionals and rescue organizations are delivering critical supplies, providing medical care, and helping communities save shelter pets and disaster survivors.

Experts are providing animal care in flooded disaster areas of Texas

dvm360, the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education, and research for veterinary professionals, is proud to announce the winners of its 5th Annual Veterinary Heroes Awards. The awards recognize extraordinary individuals whose dedication and contributions have advanced veterinary medicine and enriched animal lives across the country.

This year’s winners will be honored during a live ceremony at Fetch Kansas City, one of dvm360’s flagship continuing education conferences, held from August 22-24, 2025. The Veterinary Heroes Awards have become a beloved tradition within the profession, celebrating the community, heart and humanity that define veterinary health.

“These are the people who remind us why we fell in love with veterinary medicine in the first place,” said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer of dvm360. “Their leadership, compassion and commitment to excellence inspire all of us to keep raising the standard of care for animals and their families. It is a privilege to celebrate them and share their impact with the world.”

The 2025 Veterinary Heroes Awards honorees are:

Behavior (sponsored by VetriScience): Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Client Service Representative: Alyssa Israels-Blood

Credentialed Veterinary Technician (sponsored by MedVet): Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology), CFE

Dermatology (sponsored by Elanco Animal Health): Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD

Emergency Medicine: Leslie Bauer, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice)

Feline Medicine: Julie K. Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Small Animal Medicine), DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)

General Practitioner: Colleen Lambo, DVM, PhD, MS

Internal Medicine (Oncology): Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

Lifetime Achievement: Dottie Cimino Brown, MS, DVM, DACVS

Nutrition (sponsored by Blue Buffalo): Julie A. Churchill, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition)

Surgery (sponsored by Thrive Pet Healthcare): Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA

Veterinary Paraprofessional (noncredentialed support staff): Hannah Marie Inman

“Each of these honorees is a shining example of what makes veterinary medicine such a special profession,” said John Hydrusko, vice president of sales with MJH Life Sciences®, the parent company of dvm360. “Their dedication, skill and compassion touch countless lives every day. We’re thrilled to celebrate them in front of their peers at Fetch Kansas City, which continues to be a can’t-miss event for education, inspiration, and community.”

Fetch Kansas City offers attendees the chance to earn high-quality CE, learn the latest clinical updates and practice management strategies, gain hands-on training from expert faculty, and connect with colleagues and mentors who share a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. The Veterinary Heroes Awards ceremony is just one of many unforgettable moments designed to leave attendees recharged, reconnected and ready to make an even greater impact in their practices.

This year’s Veterinary Heroes Program is sponsored by Blue Buffalo Natural, Elanco Animal Health, MedVet, Thrive Pet Healthcare and VetriScience, who each share dvm360’s commitment to advancing veterinary care. dvm360 invites the entire veterinary community to join the celebration by attending Fetch Kansas City or following coverage of the Veterinary Heroes Awards across dvm360’s digital platforms and publications.

For more information about the Veterinary Heroes Awards or to register for Fetch Kansas City, visit 

https://registration.dvm360.com/fetch-kansas-city-2025

Founded more than 50 years ago, dvm360 is the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals. We engage audiences with top-of-the-line, in-depth digital and print news, medical information and veterinary resources focusing on every aspect of a veterinary professional’s life. With our online learning platform, dvm360 Flex, we also deliver a 360-degree solution for continuing education in various mediums including print, digital, in-person and on-demand.

MJH Life Sciences is the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels, providing health care professionals with the information and resources they need to optimize patient outcomes. MJH combines the reach and influence of its powerful portfolio of digital and print product lines, live events, educational programs and market research with the customization capabilities of a boutique firm. Clients include world-leading pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. For more information, please visit https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/.

Fifth Annual Awards Honor Veterinary Professionals for Leadership, Compassion, and Lasting Impact

dvm360® Celebrates Winners of the 2025 Veterinary Heroes Awards at Fetch Kansas City

Roseman University announced earlier this summer that it has submitted a letter of intent to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) to begin the planning process for a new veterinary school at its Henderson, Nevada campus.

 The university’s proposed College of Veterinary Medicine would become the first veterinary school in the state of Nevada.

Roseman, a nonprofit private institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has campuses in Nevada and Utah offering programs in nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine.

 If accredited by the AVMA COE, the proposed College of Veterinary Medicine would expand the university’s offerings in the health professions and create a local pathway for students in the state wishing to pursue veterinary medicine.

With the submission to the AVMA COE, Roseman will be able to proceed with its preliminary planning and development process, which includes consultation with veterinary professionals in the state for establishing clinical partnerships. The proposed 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program will consist of a semi-distributive model with Roseman-based clinical rotation across equine, large animal, and companion animal medicine, according to the AVMA.

 Additionally, the program will offer off-campus rotations at partner sites throughout the area.

 The university has not yet announced a specific launch date for the program. 

According to the AVMA, Roseman joins almost a dozen other universities that are in different stages of seeking accreditation from the COE.

Lyon College breaks ground on a new veterinary school

“Our goal is to create a veterinary program that is not only academically rigorous but also deeply mission-driven,” Katherine Fogelberg, DVM, PhD, MA, appointed founding dean of the veterinary college, said in the university news release.

 “We want to train veterinarians who are equipped to serve all communities—urban and rural, pets and livestock, locally and nationally.”

Katherine Fogelberg, DVM, PhD, MA. (Image courtesy of Roseman University)

Fogelberg, an army veterinarian with more than 10 years of clinical experience in small animal general and emergency practice with work in zoo and wildlife medicine, earned her DVM degree from Texas A&M University and her PhD in science education from Texas Christian University. She is an editor and contributor of a recently published veterinary education textbook, is a founding member and past president of the Academy of Veterinary Educators, and is one of 32 esteemed educators chosen to spearhead the development of a worldwide veterinary educator certification process. In her prior role, Fogelberg was the director of the Center for Innovation in Veterinary Education and Technology and associate professor of veterinary medicine at Lincoln University.

In the program’s initial planning, Fogelberg will lead the design, planning, operation, and assessment of the proposed program. “Launching a veterinary college requires both a strong vision and deep engagement with the community it will serve,” Renee Coffman, PhD, president and cofounder of Roseman University, said in the release.

 “Dr Fogelberg brings the right combination of experience, insight, and passion to help Roseman build a veterinary program that responds to the growing needs of Nevada and the surrounding region.”

Roth J. Roseman University to begin planning for College of Veterinary Medicine in Nevada, names founding dean. News release. Roseman University of Health Sciences. June 16, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.roseman.edu/student-experience/news/roseman-university-to-begin-planning-for-college-of-veterinary-medicine-in-nevada-names-founding-dean/

About us. Roseman University of Health Sciences. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.roseman.edu/about/

Roseman takes first step toward becoming Nevada’s first veterinary school. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. July 7, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/roseman-takes-first-steps-toward-becoming-nevadas-first-veterinary-school

Roseman University’s proposed College of Veterinary Medicine would provide a local pathway for students in the state interested in veterinary medicine.

Planning is underway for what will be Nevada’s first veterinary school 

Gallant has raised $18 million in a Series B funding round, the animal health biotechnology company recently announced. The funding, according to Gallant, will help support the development and potential commercialization of its off-the-shelf stem cell therapies.

Gallant’s ready-to-use stem cell therapies mark the development of a “new category” in veterinary medicine, as described by the company.

 The platform uses mesenchymal stem cells derived from the uterus. These self-renewing cells have the ability to differentiate into other types of cells.

The therapies focus on addressing the root cause of some of the most prevalent diseases in cats and dogs, with the company’s first product for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) being on track to receive FDA conditional approval in early 2026. FCGS, a painful, highly inflammatory, immune-mediated oral mucosal disease, affects up to 26% of domestic cats.

 In at least 10% of cases, the disease can become life-threatening.

Gallant’s new therapy for FCGS may become the first FDA-labeled, allogeneic stem cell therapy for veterinary use. The product would not only provide new treatment options for feline patients facing FCGS, but would establish a regulatory pathway for future off-the-shelf stem cell therapies in pets.

“The FDA approval of the first human allogeneic stem cell therapy was a historic milestone, and we’re looking forward to delivering this breakthrough therapy for animal health,” Linda Black, DVM, PhD, CEO of Gallant, said in a news release.

“Gallant has made significant strides in a short time, advancing a new class of therapies grounded in science and built for scale,” Teymour Boutros-Ghali, managing partner at Bold Capital—a supporter of the Series B financing round, added.

 “As it moves through FDA review toward commercialization, we’re excited to stand behind a team pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in veterinary care.”

Additional products in this new line of therapies include treatments for canine and feline osteoarthritis, canine atopic dermatitis, and feline chronic kidney disease, all which will continue to be developed with the funding. The funding round was led by Digitalis Ventures, with NovaQuest Capital Management joining as a new investor and Hill Creek Partners continuing their support. 

A survey by Gallant of more than 800 veterinarians throughout the United States found that 56% of veterinarians are satisfied with current therapies for canine osteoarthritis, with most respondents agreeing that current treatment focus on managing symptoms instead of addressing the underlying disease.

 Only 8% of veterinarians surveyed showed satisfaction of current treatments for FCGS.

 According to Gallant, approximately half of participants indicated a strong interest in using regenerative medicine as a treatment for diseases.

“Regenerative medicine is entering its prime—we’ve seen it firsthand with the success of allogeneic stem cell therapies in human healthcare,” Brian Axe, partner at NovaQuest, said in the release.

 “Gallant is bringing that same caliber of science to animal health with off-the-shelf therapies for pets targeting the root cause of disease where current care falls short.”

Gallant closes $18 million Series B to bring ready-to-use stem cell therapies for pets to market. News release. Gallant. June 30, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. 

https://www.gallant.com/news/gallant-closes-18-million-series-b-to-bring-ready-to-use-stem-cell-therapies-for-pets-to-market/

Cona LA. What are mesenchymal stem cells? DVC Stem. Accessed July 8, 2025. 

https://www.dvcstem.com/post/what-are-mesenchymal-stem-cells

Soltero-Rivera M, Shaw C, Arzi B, Lommer M, Weimer BC. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis diagnosis and treatment through transcriptomic insights. 

. 2024;13(3):192. doi:10.3390/pathogens13030192.

Veterinarians agree: Current treatments manage symptoms; anticipate regenerative options—Gallant study.

The funding will support Gallant’s treatment for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis, which is in development.

Veterinary stem cell therapy advances toward FDA approval with $18M in funding

Petco Love is providing $100,000 toward the cost of cancer treatments for dogs and cats over 2 years as part of a long-standing partnership with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York.

 This investment is in addition to the $100,000 in grant funding that Petco Love provided to the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine earlier this year in support of cancer care and research initiatives.

“Cancer in a pet can have a profound effect on a family,” Cheryl Balkman, DVM, DACVIM, oncology section chief at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, said in a news release.

 “This investment from Petco Love enables our clients to seek treatment for their pets and lessens their financial stress in an already trying situation.”

A national nonprofit, Petco Love aims to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. It also helps find loving homes for pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4000 organizations across North America. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested nearly $421 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts and has had more than 7 million pets adopted.

Petco Love, in partnership with Blue Buffalo, has invested $750,000 in Cornell for pet cancer treatments since first partnering with the university in 2016. These funds have been used to help provide chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to at least 276 families. The new $100,000 investment will support the Petco Love & Blue Buffalo Pet Cancer Treatment Support Fund, which is available to Cornell University Hospital for Animals clients who otherwise could not afford the cost of treating their pets with cancer.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect people—it takes the lives of too many beloved pets,” Susanne Kogut, JD, president of Petco Love, said in a news release

 “Together with Blue Buffalo, we’re empowering pet parents with education, resources, and hope to help pets fight and survive this disease.”

Since the launch of the Pet Cancer Awareness initiative in 2010, Petco Love and Blue Buffalo have together invested $21 million in pet cancer research and treatment, funding cutting-edge studies and helping thousands of pets receive the care they need. Petco Love supports 15 partner organizations and oncology universities by investing in pet cancer research and subsidizing treatment costs for pet owners in need.

Petco Love has granted UC-Davis a total of $750,000 in funds since 2016. The recent $100,000 grant received by UC-Davis is helping to fund patient treatment for cancer, early cancer detection in pets, and advancing research for cancer in domestic companion animals.

“These funds have been invaluable in helping clients who wish to pursue treatment for their pet’s cancer, but who don’t have the financial means to do so,” Kathrine Skorupski, DVM, professor of clinical medical oncology at UC Davis, said in a university report.

 “Cancer treatment consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy can be expensive, and this grant helps reduce that source of stress for our clients. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide the best possible cancer care for clients with limited financial means.”

Additionally, the Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials at UC Davis conducts more than 50 research studies at any given moment, including numerous clinical trials focused on cancer, to advance animal health care. These studies aim to develop new, safe, and effective treatment options for companion animals.

National nonprofit Petco Love invests in Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine to save and improve the lives of pets through veterinary cancer treatments. News release. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. July 8, 2025.

Bautista-Alejandre A. UC Davis receives $100,000 grant to advance pet cancer research and treatment. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-receives-100-000-grant-to-advance-pet-cancer-research-and-treatment

Warren R. Continued philanthropic support helps UC Davis provide highest quality cancer care. UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. March 31, 2025. Accessed April 1, 2025. 

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/continued-philanthropic-support-helps-uc-davis-provide-highest-quality-cancer-care

The funds will be used to support pet owners who cannot afford chemotherapy, surgery and other lifesaving treatment.

Petco Love invests $100,000 in cancer care at Cornell University

Small mammal pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats, often experience serious welfare problems that many owners and even animal care professionals overlook. A recent study surveyed veterinary experts across Europe to identify the most critical welfare issues affecting these animals. By analyzing expert ratings of severity and prevalence, investigators created a ranked list of concerns for each species. Their findings reveal widespread welfare concerns related to housing, diet, social needs, and health care. These results point to the urgent need for action through better education, regulation, and care standards.

The study clearly identified housing size as the most pressing welfare concern for nearly all species, with rats as the sole exception. In rats, respiratory disease surpassed all other issues in impact, underscoring its serious effects on health and quality of life. Despite a growing body of knowledge about appropriate housing requirements, most owners still fail to provide suitable environments. Many cages sold commercially do not meet the basic physiological or behavioral needs of these animals. For instance, rats need vertical space to rear up fully, yet most cages do not offer this, severely limiting natural behavior.

Veterinary professionals, regardless of their location, consistently rated small housing as a top concern. Research shows that inadequate space significantly affects both physical and psychological wellbeing. For example, rabbits in cramped hutches display stress behaviors and reduced movement, while hamsters housed in small cages often develop stereotypical behaviors like wire-gnawing. Mice actively choose larger cages when given the option, showing that space affects not just physical health but also emotional wellbeing.

Respiratory disease in rats emerged as the most impactful welfare issue across all species studied. More than 60% of rat owners reported this problem, with causes ranging from poor ventilation and dusty bedding to stress and infection. This condition can shorten life expectancy and severely affect quality of life. Simple changes in husbandry, such as better air circulation, clean environments, and reduced stress, could prevent many of these cases. However, without proper education, most owners cannot implement these changes.

Inappropriate diets also scored highly across nearly all species. Guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils are especially vulnerable to poor nutritional practices. These animals require species-specific diets rich in fiber and low in sugars. When fed incorrectly, they develop serious issues such as dental disease, digestive disorders, and obesity. For grazing species like rabbits and guinea pigs, continuous access to roughage is essential. Without it, their teeth grow uncontrollably, leading to painful malocclusions and even starvation. Owners must understand the importance of consistent, high-quality nutrition.

Social needs and behavioral enrichment also emerged as major welfare gaps. Rabbits, chinchillas, and degus (small, burrowing rodents native to Chile that are similar to a prairie dog) suffer from being kept alone, despite their naturally social behavior. Many owners house them in isolation, unaware of the stress and behavioral issues that follow. Some species, like hamsters, require solitude, but others need companions to thrive. Inability to express natural behaviors because of poor housing or social deprivation ranked among the top issues for multiple species.

To address these issues, researchers call for better education, improved regulation, and increased availability of suitable housing and diets. Regulating pet retailers to ensure all enclosures meet minimum standards could dramatically improve conditions. Providing educational materials at the point of sale would ensure owners start with the right knowledge. Focusing resources on the most pressing concerns, especially inadequate housing and poor diet, could significantly improve the welfare of millions of small mammals.

is a 2026 PharmD candidate studying veterinary pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Fenton L, Benato L, Mancinelli E, Rooney NJ. What are the most prevalent welfare issues for pet small mammals? 

. 2025;15(10):1423. doi:10.3390/ani15101423

Study results indicate an urgent need for education, regulation, and care standards for these animals