WellPet Volunteers Travel to Houston to Help Pets Displaced by Hurricane Harvey

In September, eight of my WellPet colleagues and I traveled to Houston, Texas, to support pets and families affected by Hurricane Harvey. With only two days to prepare, we arranged care for our own animals, packed essentials and headed into one of the hardest-hit areas. We arrived ready to work, but nothing fully prepared us for the scale of the need or the emotional intensity of the experience. Below is our team’s first-hand account of that volunteer trip with Best Friends Animal Society.

The shelter we worked at was caring for more than 400 animals. When we arrived, volunteers were in short supply and staff were clearly relieved to have extra hands. Our first task was assembling housing: dog runs in various sizes, typically 4 x 4 ft and 4 x 8 ft, to match different breeds and needs. The assembly work was physical but simple teamwork made it go quickly.

Working at Wellness Pet Food, pet health is something we talk about every day. The food we make is high quality and helps pets be at their best health. But caring directly for animals in less fortunate situations was a really important experience.

– Carly W., WellPet Marketing

Beyond building enclosures, our duties included dog walks, feeding, bedding setup and giving much-needed affection. Many animals had been through trauma and were understandably stressed and confused. Simple comforts—gentle petting, soft voices and short walks—made a real difference in calming them.

We met a family on the airplane who lost their home. They had five feet of water in their house. They made it out with their four pets, but so many pets weren’t so lucky.

– Emily O., WellPet Research & Development

They don’t understand what happened so they end up feeling lost and abandoned. I was thrilled when I got this opportunity. I absolutely love doing this. It makes me feel good these little dogs and cats have someone taking care of them.

– Maria P., WellPet Graphic Designer

It’s great to have the chance to interact with pets. I usually spend the day looking at formulas, and focusing on the pets’ nutrition, but to be here shows us why we do what we do.

– Jamie C., WellPet Product Development

The animals we cared for included large breeds, small dogs, puppies and many cats. Some were stray finds, others had been evacuated with their families, and a few had been left with staff while owners searched for stable housing. Each animal required different attention—some needed medical checks, others just needed a calm hand and a warm blanket.

I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

– Joan B., WellPet Consumer Affairs

Our team was a welcome sight as the facility was undermanned for the work needing to be done, and we immediately jumped into the mix assembling housing to get ahead of the pet arrivals.

– Carlos C., WellPet Sales Director

Many of the pets are stressed. It’s sad they are in tight quarters, but it’s nice that they are getting fed and cared for.

– Stephanie C., WellPet Research & Development

There are big dogs, little dogs, puppies, kittens, and dogs are still coming. Some found as strays, one family dropped their dog off and they will come back once they find permanent shelter.

– Deb S., WellPet IT

Working for a company that’s willing to give back to the community makes me proud. I like to help both humans and animals; it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

– Misty C., WellPet Mishawaka Quality Assurance

The work was physically demanding and emotionally intense at times, but witnessing the direct impact of our efforts—calmer animals, cleaner spaces and safer housing—kept everyone focused. Whether it was walking one more dog, assembling one more crate, or cleaning an extra kennel, we stepped in wherever help was needed.

We encourage anyone in the Houston area, or those able to travel, to consider volunteering with organizations like Best Friends Animal Society or other local rescue groups. The need for on-the-ground volunteers often continues for weeks or months after a disaster, and every pair of hands helps animals and families recover.

For updates on our community outreach and future volunteer efforts, follow Wellness Pet Food on Facebook.