PAWS Chicago’s disaster relief program began in 2005 when the organization took in more than 200 pets in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, according to the shelter. Since then, PAWS has rescued pets from areas impacted by Hurricane Helene last year and rescued 33 dogs from Houston shelters after storms in 2023.

Austin, filed the first flood related legislation Wednesday ahead of next week’s special session, proposing changes to emergency warning systems operated by municipalities and counties. Senate Bill 25 would allow municipalities to collect residents’ contact information to enroll them in emergency alerts,