When disaster strikes, it’s the vulnerable who feel it most—and that includes the animals who have no voice to ask for help. Meet Curly, a shy pup from Williamson County, Texas, who found himself lost in more ways than one after devastating floods uprooted the lives of countless families—both human and animal.

Curly’s journey to a new life began in heartbreak. After being surrendered by his owner, Curly arrived at the shelter with two siblings. They had already lost their home, but at least they still had each other. Then, a rescue group stepped in and pulled the two siblings, leaving Curly behind. Why? Because he was shy. Because he didn’t know what to do. Because on a spreadsheet he did not look like a quick placement, Curly simply wasn’t “easy.”

Labeled as “behavioral,” Curly was moved into a lonely kennel. He waited, unseen and overlooked, in a shelter that desperately needed space for animals affected by the disaster. But behind those uncertain eyes was a dog just waiting for someone to believe in him.

That someone turned out to be a team of people who refuse to let pets fall through the cracks.

BISSELL Pet Foundation, through our partnership with San Antonio Animal Services, was on the ground helping transport pets from the Williamson County Animal Shelter after they had taken in pets from two other impacted shelters. When they met Curly, he was unsure, hesitant—but there was a spark. A glimmer of trust trying to break through the fear. And just like that, the decision was made: “Take him.”

The first shelter Curly was transferred to quickly realized the trauma he carried. The stress of travel had taken its toll. He didn’t want to leave his crate. He wasn’t ready to trust again. That’s when the next call went out, and Brandywine Valley SPCA answered with the kind of heart this work is built on: “Of course, we will take him.”

Within a week of arriving at Brandywine, something incredible happened—Curly went home.

He didn’t just find a family. He found another sibling, someone to help him rebuild confidence and discover joy again. A new leash on life, in the most literal sense.

Curly’s story is more than a happy ending. It’s a lesson in why we do what we do—and how vital it is to look beyond the surface. BISSELL Pet Foundation works with committed shelter partners across the country to make sure no adoptable pet is left behind when shelters must be cleared to save others in crisis. Disaster transport is different than routine transport, sometimes we have to take chances in the moment. As an industry, we must try harder for dogs like Curly. He may have looked like too much work on a spreadsheet, but he sure looks great in his new home.

Not every dog will jump into your arms. Some need time. Patience. A little extra effort. But every pet like Curly is worth it.

Because behind every shy pup is a loyal companion just waiting for someone to say “yes.”

Until every pet has a home,