Texas shelters are running out of room, and the animals inside are running out of time.

For the first time in 60 years, the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, has been found in Texas. To contain it, most states have restricted the movement of pets from the affected areas. That means Texas shelters can no longer send thousands of dogs and cats to homes in other states the way they do every year.

The result is overcrowding these shelters were never built to handle. In Corpus Christi, the Gulf Coast Humane Society saw its population swell from roughly 325 animals to close to 450 after out-of-state transfers stalled for weeks. In Houston, staff are leaning on foster networks just to keep kennels from overflowing.

Texas already sends more shelter pets out of state, and euthanizes more shelter dogs, than any other state in the country. Animal welfare advocates warn that without emergency help, this crisis could push even more animals toward euthanasia simply because shelters have nowhere left to put them.

These animals did not cause this outbreak, and they should not pay the price for it. Texas shelters need emergency funding, more space, and support for spay and neuter programs so they can keep animals safe while transport restrictions remain in place.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature have the power to direct emergency relief to the shelters absorbing this burden. Sign the petition to demand emergency funding for Texas shelters now, before overcrowding costs more animals their lives.