Volunteers Reunite Pets with Families After Ringle Storm

When storms tore through Ringle, Wisconsin last Friday, families weren't the only ones left without shelter. Dogs and cats were separated from their owners, stranded in the wreckage as homes crumbled around them.

But within hours, volunteers from Fetch Foster Rescue sprang into action. They've been searching neighborhoods, setting up cameras and traps, and working to reunite every four-legged family member with the people who love them.

Season Schmitz, a volunteer with the organization, knows these families are processing unimaginable loss. "We're only into day two so it's a lot for them to even process and then to try to figure out where your fur family needs to go and be," she said.

The rescue effort has been remarkably successful. As of now, every pet reported missing has been accounted for. Volunteers continue monitoring cameras and traps in case any family hasn't yet reached out for help.

Some animals suffered serious injuries in the storm, and heartbreakingly, a few had to be put down. But the volunteers remain focused on caring for the survivors, providing medical attention, food, and comfort while their families rebuild.

The Ripple Effect

The crisis has sparked an outpouring of community support that extends beyond the usual volunteers. Foster families are stepping up to temporarily house pets, even those who normally couldn't commit to permanent adoption.

Schmitz is calling on landlords and hotels to bend their usual no-pet policies during this emergency. "There's a lot of individuals that own properties that rent that do not allow certain animals or certain breeds," she explained. "However, under this circumstance, accommodations, if they could be made, would be fantastic."

The response has been encouraging. People across the community are donating pet supplies, food, and opening their homes to animals in need. These small acts of flexibility and kindness are keeping families together during their darkest hours.

For displaced families sleeping in shelters or with relatives, knowing their pets are safe and cared for provides one less heartache to carry.

In the rubble of destroyed homes, volunteers are proving that no family member gets left behind.