AUSTIN, Texas – Sept 27th 2026
Happy Hearts Dog Rescue is asking the public for emergency donations after a large tree collapsed onto its shelter Sunday evening, destroying a large portion of the building. The group said all 18 dogs inside were rescued and are unharmed.
The rescue posted the news late Sunday on X from its official account,
@happyheartsdog:
“Our hearts are heavy tonight. ❤️ Earlier this evening, a massive tree came crashing down onto Happy Hearts Dog Rescue, destroying a large portion of our shelter. Thankfully, all 18 dogs were rescued and are SAFE. They’re currently staying with our incredible volunteers and staff members. But we’ve lost our shelter, and our dogs desperately need a new house. We’re asking our community to come together and help us raise the funds needed to secure a new house where all 18 dogs can be reunited under one roof. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer. ❤️🐶 Link in Bio, thank you!”
The post, published at 8 p.m. Central Time on Sept. 27, included a photo of the damaged building at dusk, with a fallen tree across the roof, emergency tape across the lot, staff loading crates into a marked Happy Hearts van, and dogs nearby. Within the first hour it had drawn tens of thousands of views and hundreds of likes and reposts.
@happyheartsdog Happy Hearts Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) volunteer nonprofit founded in Austin in 2018 by Alyson and Adri. The group pulls dogs from high-kill Texas shelters and places them in homes. It says it has placed more than 500 dogs since it began. Tax-deductible gifts can be made through the donate page at happyheartsdogrescue.org; 501(c)(3) paperwork is available on request. Supporters can also foster, adopt, or donate crates, beds, leashes, and other supplies.
Organizers said the 18 dogs are staying with volunteers and staff for now and that the immediate goal is enough money to secure a new house so the dogs can be together again.
