Animal rescue organizations stepped up to support local community during central Texas floods
ORLANDO, Fla. (Sep. 3, 2025) – The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) named Rancher Navy and Wings of Rescue 2025 NAVC Gives recipients, recognizing each organization with a $10,000 award for their valiant animal rescue efforts during the flooding in central Texas earlier this summer.
Rancher Navy and Wings of Rescue are two unique Texas-based organizations specializing in animal support and rescue during natural disasters.
Rancher Navy, a 24/7 operation, provides assistance to Texas farmers, ranchers and the livestock community. They were founded in 2022 in response to wildfires in central Texas and have since become a critical resource in providing transport, feed, and other support in times of need. Most recently during the devastating floods in central Texas, Rancher Navy supported over 35 local ranches with feed, hay, and fencing materials. Through their efforts, they distributed 100 round bales, over 500 square bales of high-quality hay, 50 pallets of livestock feed, and 30 tons of other donated items across multiple communities. Rancher Navy leveraged their social media platforms to coordinate collection and drop-off points as well as identify families in need.
"We understand that the needs of the Texas ranching and livestock community don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we,” said Amy Houston, Founder and Director for Rancher Navy. “Our team is ready and available to assist whenever our community needs us the most. Recognition like this from NAVC Gives helps propel our efforts forward and raise awareness of our mission.”
Wings of Rescue is a boots in the sky operation, transporting at-risk pets from over-crowded shelters and disaster areas to safe havens where they can be adopted. The group also carries vital veterinary supplies and humanitarian aid to affected areas during and after natural disasters.
“When disaster strikes anywhere in North America, Wings of Rescue will quickly be there, delivering humanitarian and veterinary aid to those who need it,” said Ric Browde, CEO and Co-President of Wings of Rescue. “We fly out shelter pets who were in the affected areas prior to the disaster, to make space for the wave of incoming displaced pets - pets who we hope will be reunited with their families. This award from NAVC Gives helps fuel future flights while spreading the word of our important work.”
Following the central Texas floods, Wings of Rescue flew several missions, which included dropping off 20,000 pounds of pet food and vet supplies as well as two lifesaving flights to rescue over 700 displaced pets. To maximize their efforts, the group partnered with local shelters, the Humane Society of North Texas, and the SPCA. This ensured that lost pets were reunited with their owners and others were matched with foster families or their forever homes.
“Rancher Navy and Wings of Rescue remind us that resilience is built by people who care deeply and step forward when it matters most,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. “These organizations provided not only critical support, but also hope – and NAVC Gives is proud to recognize their extraordinary efforts.”
About Rancher Navy
Founded on March 18, 2022, in response to devastating wildfires in central Texas, Rancher Navy has since become a vital force in disaster relief efforts across the state. From recovering from wildfires to providing aid after tornadoes and hurricanes, our mission is to stand by those in the agricultural community when they need it most. One of our most notable efforts includes our response to the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in Texas history. At Rancher Navy, we believe in the strength of community and the resilience of our agricultural workers. We are committed to helping rebuild and restore the lands and lives affected by nature's most challenging moments.
About Wings of Rescue
Wings of Rescue responds to nearly every major natural disaster in North America including hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and volcanos by delivering emergency humanitarian and veterinary aid as well as pet supplies to disaster victims throughout North America. Wings of Rescue partners with shelters and a number of rescue groups throughout North America to facilitate the transportation of at-risk pets. These partners not only have the available space to take in and care for at-risk passengers, but also have dedicated staff and volunteers who work in their local communities finding responsible and loving individuals and families to adopt each and every rescue.
About NAVC Gives
Created in 2023, NAVC Gives is a board-directed award program that has been initially funded by a $1 million commitment from the NAVC. Through this program, the NAVC will recognize and support individuals, groups and organizations around the world that have made a significant difference in the lives of veterinary professionals and animals. Unlike most award programs that have a set timetable for accepting nominations, NAVC Gives will recognize accomplishments and notable achievements throughout the year based on the merit and impact of the application. Multiple awards may be given out each year and applications may be submitted throughout the year. Since its first awards were made in January, the NAVC Gives has awarded $130,000 among 10 honorees through this program.
NAVC Gives builds upon the NAVC's long-standing commitment to philanthropic pursuits, which amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to members of the international veterinary community through scholarship programs such as the Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarships, the Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship, the Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program, free education subscriptions and conference registration, and other charitable donations. Learn more about NAVC Gives and submit nominations at https://navc.com/gives/.
About the NAVC
The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world’s largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC’s products and brands, visit https://navc.com/. To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/.
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