Bullhead City, AZ — July 17, 2025 — Thirteen cats and kittens displaced by devastating floods in central Texas have found sanctuary at the Bullhead City Animal Shelter, where they’re now ready to find their forever homes. The felines arrived Wednesday morning as part of a massive rescue operation that airlifted 175 cats to Arizona, with partner organizations from across the Southwest stepping up to help.
Massive Rescue Effort Brings Hope to Displaced Animals
The chartered rescue flight, organized by Best Friends Animal Society, landed at Kingman Airport carrying precious cargo — 175 cats and kittens whose lives were upended by severe flooding in Texas. This rescue mission represents just a fraction of the more than 1,000 animals being relocated to safety through coordinated national efforts.
“Best Friends is stepping up in a big way by organizing the transport of over 1,000 displaced animals to safety,” said Bullhead City Animal Shelter Manager Alyson Harms. “It’s all part of a coordinated national response to the severe flooding impacting many regions.”
Local Partnership Makes Rescue Possible
The successful rescue operation showcases the power of collaboration between:
- City of Bullhead City — Providing shelter facilities and staff resources
- Best Friends Animal Society — Coordinating the massive airlift operation
- Feral Cat Warriors (FCW) — Supporting local rescue efforts
- Multiple rescue organizations from Arizona and Nevada
Numerous partner rescue organizations traveled to Kingman Airport to receive the cats, with Bullhead City Animal Shelter taking responsibility for 13 of these resilient felines.
Immediate Success: Two Cats Already Adopted
“The City’s dedicated team is working tirelessly to ensure these animals receive the care and attention they need as they transition into a new chapter of their lives,” Harms said. The shelter’s efforts are already bearing fruit — two cats have been adopted already, finding loving homes within hours of their arrival.
The quick adoptions demonstrate the community’s readiness to open their hearts and homes to animals in need, but 11 cats still await their chance at a new beginning.
Meet the Texas Survivors
The rescued cats range from playful kittens to adult cats, each with their own personality and story of survival. Having endured the trauma of flooding and displacement, these resilient felines are:
- Fully vetted and health-checked
- Spayed or neutered
- Up-to-date on vaccinations
- Microchipped for safety
- Ready for immediate adoption
Shelter Also Faces Critical Need for Dog Adoptions
While celebrating the arrival of the Texas cats, the Bullhead City Animal Shelter faces an ongoing crisis with overcrowded dog kennels. The shelter urgently needs:
- Foster families to provide temporary homes
- Rescue partners to help with transfers
- Adopters for medium-to-large dogs
“Our kennels are full, and we are actively seeking foster families, rescue partners, and adopters to help us find placement options for these deserving animals,” said Harms. Many of these dogs require extra time, medical care, or behavioral support.
Adding incentive for potential dog adopters, Swanty’s has sponsored free dog adoptions — though only a few sponsorships remain available.
How You Can Help
The Bullhead City community can make a life-saving difference in several ways:
Adopt a Texas Survivor: Visit the shelter to meet the 11 remaining cats from Texas who need homes.
Give a Dog a Chance: Take advantage of the remaining free dog adoptions sponsored by Swanty’s.
Become a Foster Family: Provide temporary care for animals awaiting adoption, creating space for more rescues.
Volunteer: Donate your time to help care for the animals and support shelter operations.
Donate: Financial contributions help cover medical care, food, and supplies for rescued animals.
Visit the Shelter
All Texas flood survivor cats and other available animals can be visited at:
Bullhead City Animal Shelter
2270 Trane Road, Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: (928) 763-6000
Staff members are available to introduce potential adopters to the animals and help match pets with the right families.
The Bigger Picture: Climate Disasters and Animal Welfare
The Texas flooding that displaced these cats represents a growing challenge as severe weather events become more frequent. Animal welfare organizations nationwide are developing rapid response protocols to ensure pets aren’t left behind during disasters.
Best Friends Animal Society’s coordination of this massive airlift demonstrates how national networks can mobilize quickly to save lives. The organization’s ability to transport over 1,000 animals to safety showcases the importance of having robust disaster response plans for companion animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Texas cats healthy and ready for adoption?
Yes, all cats have been examined by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. They’re ready to go home today.
What is the adoption fee for the Texas cats?
Standard adoption fees apply. Contact the shelter at (928) 763-6000 for current pricing, which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Can I meet the cats before deciding to adopt?
Absolutely! The shelter encourages visits during business hours (Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to interact with the cats and find your perfect match.
How can I help if I can’t adopt?
You can foster, volunteer, donate supplies or funds, or share information about available animals on social media to help them find homes.
“Join us in making a difference for these animals and ensure they get the second chance they deserve,” Harms said.
Every adoption saves two lives — the pet you take home and the next animal who can take their place at the shelter. Visit the Bullhead City Animal Shelter today to meet your new best friend.
