Stray dog and cat epidemics affect states all over America. Yet the issue is far more concerning within the states that have less stringent animal cruelty laws. Texas is just one of several states being called out for influxes of animals in crisis. One TikTok creator is doing what she can to get two dogs, in particular, the help that they desperately need.
On August 30th, Jennifer Aufdenberg reposted a heartbreaking video. The clip shows two sickly, abandoned German shepherds trying their best to survive on a highway in Cleveland, Texas. When the dogs approach the camera, it’s clear they’re both malnourished, suffering, and in poor health.
Despite the original footage being online now for weeks, the plea for intervention has largely been ignored. While Aufdenberg isn’t in Texas herself, she’s using her platform to (hopefully) help.
She added a heartbreaking caption to the reshared video on her TikTok channel @jenniferaufdenber:
“For over a month, these two have fought to survive—covered in ticks, facing the dangers of wildlife, cruel humans, and starvation every single day. And now the female may be pregnant.”
Jennifer let viewers know that she’s doing her best (from Virginia) to get help for these two Texas dogs. She claims no one local has done much to spearhead any rescue efforts:
“There’s already a post with 800+ comments, yet no one has stepped up to actually help them,” she reported to followers.
Texas Rescue Efforts Needed
Aufdenberg went on to emphasize that the camera person is not the one to blame:
“[R]emember, there are thousands of dogs out here. The simple act of feeding them and posting to plead for help is more than most will do.”
She ended her caption with a plea to the general public:“Is anyone willing to help these two? Or will they become just another Texas casualty?”
Comments were full of concern. Some echoed Jennifer’s frustrations. Others left scathing remarks about those who abandon their pets.
One person stated, “These dogs deserve better, dumping animals is not ok!“
Another viewer added, “German Shepards are the easiest to train and are super loyal. Who does this??”
It’s easy to echo those sentiments after watching these struggling fur babies, seemingly still full of love. Let’s hope these Cleveland, Texas, dogs get the medical care they both need, find the right furever homes, and never go hungry again.
