Here today, gone tomorrow: 100's of missing Harvey dogs from Houston SPCA

Three of the pets from Houston SPCA website...gone. Where are we?

Pit Bulls and Other Animals has been tracking the Ford Center dogs and other animals since Houston SPCA stormed in and took over the operation September 3, 2017. The highly funded public charity pushed out Best Friends and other first responders which raised huge concerns as HSPCA has a long history of killing pit bulls.

Social media went viral with reports of 40 some odd pit bulls that disappeared and were suspected of being killed by Houston SPCA. Best Friends created a petition begging Patti Mercer, director of Houston SPCA to keep the animals safe until owners could be reunited. Mercer refused. The HSPCA did post over 200 dogs on their website, but these dogs have mysteriously and suddenly disappeared.

We have placed several calls to Houston SPCA, but they seem to be very tight-lipped about the animals. We were referred to their media person Julie K who has not returned our calls. What is the big secret?

The only response we have been able to squeeze out of the tight-lipped Houston SPCA was this on their Facebook page:


At the time of this post, there were only a total of 47 dogs on the Houston SPCA website for adoption. Hundreds of animals disappeared from the Harvey link which is no longer offered on their site.

Where are these dogs? Were they, at best, shipped off to other shelters and rescues? With all of the horrors in the news regarding high-kill shelters and dangerous rescue organizations, we are concerned about these Beaumont, Texas animals and their well-being. Are they still alive?

Or...were they killed as has been the history at Houston SPCA to kill all pit bulls and other animals they deem not cute enough to raise huge funds like the present I Walk for Animals campaign. The Houston SPCA rakes in about $40 million a year as a public tax-exempt charity. This means these animals are publicly owned and the Houston SPCA must account for the whereabouts of these dogs and cats.


The Houston SPCA's number is 713-869-7722. These dogs and cats need to be accounted for and by law, the Houston SPCA owes an explanation for each and every animals they impounded.

No name pittie will die at Houston SPCA is a Facebook page dedicated to the animals missing or killed by the Houston SPCA.

We can only hope that the missing hundreds of dogs placed into the care of Houston SPCA which has always killed all pit bulls are safe. If only this institution placed a fraction of the effort they put into fundraising drives like their I Walk for Animals event and Chevron sponsored Run For a Reason, maybe there wouldn't be so many missing and dead pit bulls and other animals.

Houston SPCA must return Harvey dogs to Beaumont by law

The Houston SPCA signed an agreement to return all dogs to Jefferson County. Bett Sundermeyer and No Kill Houston have provided the following information reprinted here in Pit Bulls and Other Animals.

When the Houston SPCA, a kill shelter, took animals from the Ford Center in Beaumont after Hurricane Harvey, and forced rescuers to leave, A LOT of people were understandably upset and worried about the animals.

We are all particularly worried about Pit Bull type dogs that the HSPCA took because they have said that they do NOT adopt out these dogs --- meaning they kill those dogs.

Below is the agreement that Jefferson County has with the Houston SPCA concerning the animals that they removed from Jefferson County.

This agreement says that the Houston SPCA will:

1) Place Jefferson County pets into foster homes for at least 30 days in an effort to give owners a chance to locate and reclaim their pets; and

2) Jefferson County pets will be returned to their owners at no charge; and

3) Jefferson County pets not claimed by their owners will either be placed into adoptive homes or returned to Jefferson County.

Note that the Houston SPCA has NO LEGAL RIGHT TO KILL any of the animals that they removed from Jefferson County, for any reason. This includes Pit Bull type dogs that the Houston SPCA claims are all “dangerous.”

These dogs must be RETURNED to Jefferson County.

This agreement was signed on September 2, 2017. On October 2, 2017, the Houston SPCA must abide by this agreement. No name pittie with die at Houston SPCA Facebook page has posted some of the dogs impounded by Houston SPCA. We will be reporting updates and missing pets. The Houston SPCA must be held accountable for every animal they impounded at the Ford Center in Beaumont on September 2.

No Kill Houston is a longtime animal advocacy group working hard to protect Houston's companion pets. The section regarding the Houston SPCA has documented the routine killing of countless innocent animals at the hands of the Houston SPCA.

Please sign and share this petition to fire Patti Mercer and investigate the Houston SPCA.

Update: Fact Check - Red Cross Harvey donation toss

Snopes.com, the urban legend fact checker, is jumping the train to capture some of the mass audience of animal lovers around the world incensed over the Red Cross tossing donations in Houston.

Wendy Underwood shared a video which has now been claimed by Cody Sloan who shot the viral video and updated September 12, 2017 with this video.
                                                                                                                                                     According to Snopes, "On 10 September 2017, a now-viral video posted to Facebook contains claims

the Red Cross in Houston, Texas was instructed to throw out a significant quantity of food and supplies donated by the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey."

Snopes goes on to quote from the video and Pit Bulls and Other Animals blog, "In the video, the camera pans over a pile of food, bags, and crates in what appears to be a garage, while the woman narrating it reiterates that it consisted of donations to the organization that had been discarded. No additional information is given."

Snopes managed to get in touch with the Red Cross whose spokesperson Elizabeth Penniman had this to say, "We work with a large number of partners, who provide bulk donations of goods to the Red Cross. There has been no directive given at any of our operations to discard or dispose of any new

The 'fact check' goes on to say Snopes has made repeated efforts to contact Underwood who resides in Waco and verify the video's origin. Pit Bulls and Other Animals has updated blogs to identify the video as having been shot by Cody Sloan from Houston who is working hard to see that the leftover donations in question are being distributed to needy pets and local Houston animal rescue organizations.

It's important to note the reason this video went viral. The Red Cross is no stranger to controversy. In fact, NPR did a series on the mysterious goings on involving $500 million dollars donated to the American Red Cross in Haiti relief: In Search Of The Red Cross' $500 Million In Haiti Relief In response to the furor over the tossed Hurricane Harvey donations, the Red Cross has issued a lengthy statement which fails to address the trashed donations filmed in Sloan's now viral video:



The Red Cross certainly can't be accused of not waxing eloquent, but their polemic in this case only succeeds in fanning the fire. What the Red Cross doesn't seem to understand in their admonishment of the 'dangers of rumors and misinformation' is the audience to whom they're speaking. Many of those who read and passed along this information are hard-working Americans and others who wanted to help their fellows and companion animals displaced by a horrible event. From the comments left on social media, many of these good people had already caught wind of misguided funding in the hands of the Red Cross such as the ProPublica exposé: How one of the country’s most venerated charities has failed disaster victims, broken promises and made dubious claims of success.   

Bottom line, people want clear answers and the response to this incident by the Red Cross is anything but.

Please refer any animal stories and Hurricane Harvey pet updates to Pit Bulls and Other Animals.

donated items such as canned food, water, diapers, blankets or dog food."

Red Cross throws out tons of animal donations in Houston!

The Red Cross is finishing up in Houston and threw out 600 blankets, 500 pounds of dog food and tons of other valuable donations from all over the United States.

According to Wendy Underwood, "Have you seen the posts about the Red Cross and their abuse of volunteers and evacuees? Well, this is going to blow you away! They are throwing supplies into the trash in Houston. But don't worry, they said they can collect more from what's going on in Florida. I'm glad they are so respectful of their donors hard earned money."

Did you donate to the Red Cross when they were taking in donations during the siege from Hurricane Harvey all around Houston and down to Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange?

People from everywhere were donating to the Red Cross. According to the director at the Houston Red Cross station, Wendy Underwood was told, 'it's ok. We (the Red Cross) are going to get a lot more in Florida.'

Luckily, Wendy Underwood is an animal lover who knows a lot of good rescues in the Houston area. She is on her way back to the Red Cross for another load so hundreds if not thousands of dollars in kindly donations will not rot and spoil in the aftermath of Harvey.

Pit bulls and other animals has not yet heard of any monetary donations being returned by the Red Cross, only food, blankets and supplies for the displaced animals due to Hurricane Harvey. We are accustomed to looting during a disaster, but this is taking it up a notch.

Shady dealings with donations is not news with the Red Cross. NPR reported the Red Cross spent 25 percent of the donation money, nearly 125 million dollars, for the 2010 Haiti earthquake on internal expenses like 'management costs' and 'administrative fees.'

Wendy shot a video of some of the items she salvaged from the Red Cross:

This entire debacle begs the simple question, why didn't the Red Cross post a notice on social media to share the donations with local rescuers? When we tried to find an address for the Red Cross location in Houston to refer questions, all that came up was a huge donation page. Maybe they should include a caveat that donations in kind will be thrown out in the garbage.

UPDATE: 9/13/2017-it was brought to our attention that local rescues found out about the surplus and all donations have been picked up by rescue groups and several small shelters for people and pets.

Snopes performed a fact check and came up with the same response we did from the Red Cross:

Red Cross Instructed to Throw Away Donated Supplies in Texas?

If you have any Hurricane Harvey stories, please forward to Pit bulls and other animals.

Houston SPCA uses a blind puppy to raise big $$, but kills all pit bulls

When we posted the huge fundraiser for Ziggety Zag, a blind puppy being promoted for huge donation money, people began to respond they had no idea Houston SPCA kills all pit bull dogs and puppies. We posted the outrageous Houston SPCA plea with the opening line, "The Houston SPCA believes all animals deserve a second chance at life!"

How can a 501(c)(3) entity get away with such a bald faced claim? Houston SPCA makes over 10 million a year and has its own Animal Planet television show. There are never any pit bulls on the show because they're all euthanized.
No name pittie will die at Houston SPCA Facebook page was created to try and raise awareness to the ongoing slaughter of pit bull dogs at this massive Houston facility which enjoys so much revenue and attention.


Sadly, many still believe the Houston SPCA gives all animals a fair chance as they promised in their offensive post. The dog 'no name' in our No name pittie will die at Houston SPCA Facebook page never had the wonderful opportunity given to this blind puppy to be adopted, to have life and a forever home after fundraising chores are done with.


Reunion Rescue tried to save 'no name' pittie who made the mistake of wandering up to the wrong home. After a plastic bowl of water, the unsuspecting homeowner called Houston SPCA who not only turned Reunion Rescue down when our 501(c)(3) with exemplary record saving pit bulls, but killed her as soon as her 72 hour stray-hold was up.


We began a sorrowful mission that day with No name pittie will die at Houston SPCA Facebook page and a petition demanding the director Patti Mercer be fired and the facility investigated. If Houston SPCA is picking up stray dogs and animals, shouldn't they be accountable to someone? If not the city of Houston, then perhaps the state? Someone? Anyone?


No Kill Houston has done extensive research and has published shocking records and statistics about Houston SPCA and the mass killing that goes on behind its lush, but deadly doors.
We will continue to alert the public about the killing, the contests, the fundraising and the atrocity that seems to go completely unnoticed, yet well-heeled to the extreme.


Houston, please wake up. There are a small and dedicated group of hardcore volunteers that drop everything and drive when they hear of a stray pit bull on the roam in Houston zip codes. Although these people are animal lovers who strive to help save these dogs, the real reason behind their motivation is sheer desperation. These good people are terrified the Houston SPCA 'cops' infamous from long running Animal Planet's 'Animal Cops Houston' will arrive at the scene before the dog can be saved.


No name pittie will die at Houston SPCA welcomes all animal lovers who wish to see change and help save some of the some millions of animals dying at this institution.

Former worker reports brutality at Spindletop Refuge

The Spindletop Morgan Building after death of 39 dogs

Each day, a former worker at Spindletop Refuge is coming forward with reports of horrible brutality and abuse at the Willis, Texas facility still open and boarding dogs.

In the agreement with Montgomery County, Leah Purcell was allowed to continue working with animals by running her boarding facility. How can anyone be allowed to even handle an animal after nearly three hundred dogs were removed and in deplorable conditions.

A former worker whose name is being withheld to protect their anonymity and to insure safety from retaliation has stepped forward to try and help those people who placed dogs for care and boarding at Spindletop.

Just a paid hourly employee at Spindletop, this person became overwhelmed by the conditions at Spindletop and did not know where to turn. "Whenever there were medical issues with the dogs, Louise would send April back there and supposedly check them out."

"I can tell you that April was their go-to guy. She has powerful information about the history of that place. All three of them were habitual liars.  I could never do anything to hurt a dog or animal of any kind and it broke my heart for the whole time I was working there. But I can say that I did help a lot of the dog's in certain ways that would not have come about without me constantly making recommendations for them."

The employee attempted to aid the investigation after the raid in hopes of helping to reunite some of the surviving near 300 which were sequestered at Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The employee attempted to contact investigators and never received a reply. Several of the dogs on Spindletop Missing and Dead Dogs Facebook page have been positively identified as dogs who perished in the Morgan Building due to horrific conditions and no cooling in the middle of a hot East Texas summer.

"I actually have some of my own concerns about how the investigation began. I was in the back of the property where about 200 out of the 300 were housed and we were about two hours into working the dogs. When all of a sudden a hand full of cops and h/s (Humane Society) came to collect all the workers.'

'While about twelve dogs were out in the outside runs with full sun exposed in mid-July. I had to argue with the the officers that these dogs could not be left in the hot sun for extended amounts of time. After putting my foot down and refusing to cooperate until the dog's were housed out of the sun did they let me put them back in their arranged crates."

Recently recovered texts from April Longhurst, the longtime right-hand attendant of Leah Purcell and Spindletop, have disclosed information about a 'farrier' who was taking truckloads of dogs and killing them.

"April held so many secret's of that place . I alway's felt that April knew deep dark secrets of Spindletop, due to the way she carried herself around the place and the way she talked to Leah's mother Louise when they argued.

Since the raid and seizure, Spindletop Missing and Dead Dogs Facebook page has been searching for answers so that those who entrusted dogs at Spindletop could find closure. Many of these people attempted to communicate with Spindletop attorney Zandra Anderson, but have come away hurt and with their questions unanswered. 

This good person has offered to help those who still have unanswered questions about their dogs. Some of the dogs whose pictures have been recognized on Facebook are 'Nero, Delilah, Dewy, Lucky, Ava, George, Buster, Bridgett, Fawn, Grace, Tyson, Rayford, Holly, Dude, Glorianna, Momma, Kenny, Scarlett, Stricker...' all who are believed to have perished in the Morgan Building.

It's become doubtful that the individuals who harbored these secrets while cruelly teasing the only people who cared about these dogs will ever be punished. So much evil surrounds this entire case that it becomes difficult to list all the criminal activity. Pit bulls and other animals will continue to follow the goings on at 11797 Calvary Road and hope for the day that justice will be done for the hundreds and hundreds who suffered and died there.

Houston SPCA saves puppy but kills all pit bulls

Sapphire is a small chow mix puppy who was discovered by caring Houstonians. As reported by Pet Rescue Examiner, Saphhire was found "whimpering in the bushes on Kingwood and Garden Oaks Drive near a Starbucks in Houston earlier this week. A harness was strapped so tightly around her tiny body, it had embedded itself into the tender puppy's skin; oozing with a serious infection and covered in maggots."

What 31,935 people who 'like' the Houston SPCA on Facebook don't seem to realize is a sad fact about killing at this facility. Had Sapphire been a pit bull or pit bull mix puppy, she would have been killed as are all pit bulls at Houston SPCA.

The facility is marketing this puppy as an abuse case and asking for help from the community. While efforts to save any animal is applauded, why aren't all animals being cared for by the organization thriving on 10 million dollars per year in donations?

A page questioning the practices of Houston SPCA has been created on Facebook called

This is no name pittie killed at Houston SPCA

No Name Pittie Will Die at Houston SPCA. 

We tried to save this beautiful stray Houston pit bull a couple of years ago whose grave error was to wander up to the wrong house for a drink of water. The man who furnished her with that last drink of water believed everything he saw on Houston SPCA Animal Cops, the long running television show. He believed that all animals were saved at this organization.

This pit bull along with hundreds, thousands of other pit bull dogs are routinely killed at this facility.

Please visit No Name Pittie Will Die at Houston SPCA and share your thoughts. The lawyer for animal abuser Leah Purcell and Spindletop has tried to put a stop to Pit Bulls and Other Animals and American Pit Bull Examiner articles about Houston SPCA and Spindletop abuse. We will continue to report any and all animal cruelty and abuse and the needless killing of America's native dog breed at this high dollar institution.

Sign the petition to fire Patti Mercer and investigate Houston SPCA: Until the killing stops, Houston SPCA is no better than Denver. 

Stop the pit bull killing at Houston SPCA

Lowlife publishes bloody ear botch on Facebook

A Houston man watches and comments while his bred pit bull puppy is mutilated:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=505585502850359

Animal advocates around the country are demanding this dog be rescued from the man who calmly watches while his puppy endures the butchering.

Chickens cackling in the background conjure up notions of cockfighting and other unsavory bloodsport.

What kind of life is awaiting this innocent dog, bred and sold like a piece of meat bleeding all over the newspaper spread over the filthy ground.

The horror is captured on camera as the pup's owner discusses buying other dogs, bloodlines and early death.

What kind of world are we living in that this sort of brutality is engaged in, but proudly filmed and shared on the internet.

Here is the unwatchable video in two parts recorded as evidence:

BARC is the city of Houston's animal control facility. From BARC's website:

Have you called the City of Houston's 3-1-1 Houston Service Center at 3-1-1 or 713.837.0311 to report your concerns?

You can also report your request online at www.houston311.org. Did you know that reporting your concerns via 3-1-1 is the fastest way to get the issue addressed?

The City of Houston tracks those calls which provide vital information needed to properly address an issue.

• 3-1-1 -- 311@houstontx.gov

Mailing Address: City of Houston / P.O. Box 1562 / Houston, TX 77251
Physical Address: City of Houston / 901 Bagby / Houston, TX 77002
City Hall Annex Address: 900 Bagby / Houston, TX 77002
City Switchboard: 713.837.0311 or 3-1-1
City TDD: 713.837.0215

Three part videos of animal abuse in Houston, TX

WARNING: Very graphic, vile and bloody:

Gorgeous parvo Border Collie in Houston needs urgent miracle!

GOT TO SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL BABY,ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD, HAS PARVO AND IS NEED OF RESCUE ASAP! YOU KNOW THE DRILL, NETWORK! I SEE THIS BABY AND I SAY AUSSIE! PLEASE SEND TO AUSSIE GROUPS AND OTHERS!! SAVE THIS BABY!

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: URGENT! 7 Mo Border Collie .... Meet ATTICUS, A1391244-PARVO
DOG 7 MONTHS OLD ~ READ STEVE'S COMMENTS!
From: jas1schneider@aol.com
Date: Mon, April 18, 2016 8:41 am
To:

ONLY 7 MOS OLD ~ BECOMING ILL @ SHELTER!  QUICK RESCUE IS HIS ONLY HOPE!    no room ! 

From Steve: Almost made me cry, seeing this dog who was so scared of trusting people show so much promise.

"Very cruel twist of fate for this dog today.

BARC is out of room, and there was nowhere to put this dog this afternoon when he tested positive for Parvo. I begged to keep him in Baydock, which is where he is for the night, but he goes down in the morning unless someone puts a hold.

This is a dog who the kennel tech was working for days with, and today, he showed the best promise.
Couldn’t believe it was the same dog. Before, you couldn’t put a leash on him, he’d go ballistic.

Today, Sophia had the leash on him, and he walked outside beautifully. He slowed down right as he crossed the threshold. We all sat around and gave him encouragement.

Catlin sat next to him, started petting him, and it was like a light went off.  He was basically crawling into her lap, begging for more affection.

Almost made me cry, seeing this dog who was so scared of trusting people show so much promise."


"We put him in the run, and he was a new pup.

Prancing, wanting to jump up and hug the girls.

He went in the back of the run to poop and that’s when we noticed the loose stool that didn’t look good.

Catlin ran a test and it came back positive for Parvo.

Other than the diarrhea, this boy was not showing any other signs.  No lethargy, he was eating treats just fine, very playful, good color, no discharge, etc.

Could be very early stages, which can respond very well with supportive care.

If you saw this dog in person, you would fight for him.

He is not only gorgeous, but has such a sparkle to him.  Just a babe, only 7 months old.

If anyone has a vet clinic with an isolation room, we can get this boy back on his feet in no time."

Please network like crazy and place a hold QUICKLY!

Email: BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov:

Animal ID #: A1391244

Name of Rescue Group/Foster:                                                            

Name of designated person for pickup: ______________________________

Contact Phone Number for person placing hold:                                                    

Date & Time for pickup: ________________________

Steven H. Halpert
Friends of BARC, Inc.
A 501c3 Non-profit Organization

From: BARC Aid [mailto:BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov]
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2016 4:58 PM
To: BARC Aid
Subject: URGENT A1391244 PARVO DOG 7 MONTHS OLD

We have a timid dog that has shown improvement with behavior but unfortuantely  he tested parvo positive today.  We will hold him overnight.  He needs a confirmed hold by 10am Monday and needs to leave BARC Monday by 5pm.

A1391244


ALL hold requests are to be sent via email only (none will be accepted via phone) with the following required information:
EMAIL SUBJECT:       HOLD for (insert animal id number)
In the body of the email, provide the following:

Animal ID #: _______________________
                               
Name of Rescue Group/Foster: __________________________________________

Name of designated person for pickup: ______________________________

Contact Phone Number for person placing hold: ________________________

Date & Time for pickup: ________________________

The hold will be placed for 24 hours and a confirmation email will be sent back to the requestor via email.

All incoming BARC Aid emails will be answered during the following hours and within the specified timeframe:

Monday  - Friday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Within one hour
Saturday - Sunday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Within two hours

Emails received outside of these time frames will be answered the next day, during these hours.  If a response has not been received within the specified time frames, please notify Mauricio Zepeda immediately via email mauricio.zepeda@houstontx.gov or cell phone 832.623.3871 (days off Friday and Saturday). If no response from Mauricio please contact Alejandra at 832.395.9081.

Reunion Rescue and Pit Bulls and Other Animals advocate 24/7 to save lives. Visit us online and learn how to feed, treat and train animals holistically.

We offer a free copy of Pit Bull Nation to every rescuer! We believe every dog can be saved!