Unforgotten Underdogs Dog Rescue, donation drop off and pick up. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As families across the Fox Valley continue recovering from the July 27 EF-3 tornado, many families are facing a challenge beyond rebuilding their homes and where they can stay. For pet owners, it comes with an added challenge.
People who lost their homes are staying in hotels, shelters, or with family and friends while they work out what comes next. But finding temporary housing that allows animals has not been easy. Animal shelters and rescues across the area say they have been flooded with calls from people looking for help. Some need pet food and supplies, while others are looking for temporary housing for their pets after being displaced from their home.
“We’ve been getting some calls for who need temporary replacement for their pets. So we’re housing some here. We are working on finding some foster homes for people who might need a little bit longer until they can have their pets back with them,” said Anna Wienkes, director of development and community engagement for the Fox Valley Humane Association.
The Fox Valley Humane Association says it’s currently providing temporary housing for some pets while working to place others in foster homes until their owners can get back on their feet. They are also helping reunite missing pets with their owners. Dozen of missing pet flyers have been posted, and several stray animals from the tornado-affected areas are still waiting to be reunited with their owners.
For some families, losing their home has meant making the difficult decision to surrender their pets because they no longer have stable housing or the ability to care for them. Wienkes says the association is doing everything they can to prevent that from happening by connecting families with temporary recourses whenever possible.
“It’s very sad to know that these people’s lives are ripped up and just devastated to the point where they feel that they cannot care for their family members anymore,” Wienkes said.
Other organizations are also stepping in to help and working to keep families from having to give up their animals. Unforgettable Underdogs Dog Rescue said it began collecting pet supplies after noticing donation sites had plenty of essentials for people, but very few items for animals. Since then, the rescue has partnered with more than 20 organizations to collect supplies, distribute resources, and connect families with temporary foster homes so pets can stay with the people who love them.
“If there’s something we can do to help you so you don’t have to surrender your pet and find it a different home We’re willing to do that,” said Erika Berge, president of Unforgotten Underdogs Dog Rescue.
The rescue says it is currently looking for additional foster families to help care for dogs and cats while their owners recover.
“We need more fosters for the current dogs that we have for more dogs that need Temporary housing and just really dogs and cats in general,” Berge said.
At The Ruff House, displaced dogs are being boarded for free while families rebuild. Owner Mike MacDonald said the business wanted to help after nearly two decades in the community.
“We’ve been a part of the community for almost 19 years and it’s the least we can do, honestly. This disaster affected all of us in some way, shape or form, whether directly or indirectly,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said the situation has been difficult for owners who are unsure what comes next. “It’s been pretty emotional. We’ve had some owners drop off and just not know what’s going to happen next. They don’t know when they’re going to come back,” he said. The Ruff House said it is currently caring for about a dozen dogs impacted by the tornado and still has room to help more families in need, for however long they need.
Community shelters do not allow pets unless the animal is a service animal. Some hotels in the area are allowing pets and/or waiving pet fees, but The Ruff House said those hotels are filling up. Local animal organizations are encouraging landlords, property owners, and hotel owners to relax their pet rules and fees to make it easier for families with pets to stay together.
Here are some of the resources available for families impacted by the tornado:
Fox Valley Humane Association
- Accepting applications for emergency fosters on their website
- Can take pets on a temporary basis
- Accepting donation drop-offs such as pet food and supplies
- Those in need can stop by their facility to pick up food and supplies
- The organization said it especially needs monetary donations to help support foster families
- Offering drop offs of food and supplies for those who make it to their facility
- Offering free vaccinations for pets
The Ruff House
- Offering free dog boarding, as long as victims need
- Available to new, current, and past clients
- Has more room available to take in more dogs as of 08/06/2026
- Located at 900 Declaration Drive in Neenah
Unforgettable Underdogs Dog Rescue
- Offering free pet supplies and food pickup and donations at 800 block of Plank Road in Menasha or at Copper Comb Professional Dog Grooming, located at 1440 Oneida Street in Menasha
- Accepting pet food and supply donations, new or opened (as long as opened bags are taped before donating)
- Needs are changing daily, but current needs are more donations of dog stakes and dog cooling mats
- Able to take in pets that need temporary housing while families recover and rebuild
- Willing to help care for your pets during the day, if needed
- Accepting foster family applications on their website and looking for 10-15 more foster families
- Able to drop off pet food or supplies to victims if needed
- Posts daily updates on their Facebook
Neenah Animal Shelter
- Has room to board cats temporarily
- Does not have room for dogs at this time
- Accepting foster applications on their website
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