RedRover Responders: Double Duty for Pets in Need

By Devon Krusko, Director of Field Services –

While our team was preparing to head to West Monroe, Louisiana, for our first free wellness clinic of 2026 with our friends at PAWS of Northeast Louisiana, we received a request from American Humane to assist with a neglect case in Texas. Expecting over 100 dogs, they were in need of our RedRover Responders volunteers to assist with setting up a temporary emergency shelter, and provide daily animal care. With overlapping dates, it was bound to be a bit tight, but doable, thanks to both committed staff and volunteers!

Our team arrived in Louisiana on a Thursday, and assisted with over 1,400 free vaccinations for pets in need over two days. Hundreds of families waited in line for hours to relieve free wellness services, including pet food, flea/tick prevention, and spay/neuter vouchers. We have helped 2,961 Northeast Louisiana pets get their vaccines since our partnership with PAWS NE LA started in the Fall of 2023, all at no charge to their owners!

As soon as the clinic ended on Saturday afternoon, RedRover Responders staff and volunteers began the five-hour drive to Texas to assist additional pets in need. They arrived late at night and tired, but looking forward to prepping for the dogs’ arrival from a desperate situation. In the early hours, volunteers worked to transform a county storage space into a shelter, set up with crates, kennels, exercise yards, and supplies.

Over 70 dogs arrived needing a safe, comfortable space with fresh water, food, and time to compress. Our team was honored to provide care for over a week while they completed a vetting process, and placement through rescue groups began to assist them in the next part of their journey. This case, coincidentally, highlighted the great need for our wellness services. People doing their best to assist stray dogs without having access to resources such as spay/neuter, veterinary care, and pet food, led to many litters of puppies and medical needs.