Volunteers Race to Reunite Pets With Families After Wisconsin Tornado, Need Help With Placements
When a tornado ravaged through Ringle, Wisconsin, on Friday afternoon, it didn’t just destroy homes. It separated families from their beloved pets — cats, dogs and other animals left stranded amid the wreckage. Now, a dedicated group of volunteers is working to bring them back together.
Fetch Foster Rescue has taken in animals from households whose homes were completely destroyed, and the organization’s immediate focus is keeping those frightened pets as relaxed as possible while storm cleanup continues across the community.
“Right now, we are just looking for huge placements. Families are like you’ve seen. The homes are destroyed,” said Season Schmitz, a volunteer with Fetch Foster Rescue, per WSAW-TV. “We’re only into day two so it’s a lot for them to even process and then to try to figure out where your fur family needs to go and be.”
Every Reported Missing Pet Has Been Found So Far
For pet owners following this story with a knot in their stomach, there is meaningful good news. Schmitz said that, to their knowledge, every pet that had been reported missing has now been found. For anyone still searching, search and rescue teams have traps and cameras available to assist — families just need to contact an animal organization.
But the road ahead remains difficult. Schmitz revealed that some animals had to be euthanized because of injuries they suffered from the storms. It’s a heartbreaking reality that underscores just how violent this tornado was — and why the rescue effort has been so urgent.
How You Can Help Right Now
The most immediate need is fostering. With at least 75 homes damaged or destroyed in Ringle alone and displaced residents directed to a temporary shelter at a local middle school, many families simply have nowhere to bring their pets home to yet.
Schmitz made a direct appeal to landlords and property managers who might be able to open doors for displaced families and their animals.
“There’s a lot of individuals that own properties that rent that do not allow certain animals or certain breeds. Absolutely understandable. However, under this circumstance, accommodations, if they could be made, would be fantastic,” Schmitz said.
For those who can’t foster, Fetch Foster Rescue is also taking donations of pet supplies and food to support families who are fostering animals. According to the organization’s website, “Our mission is to bring hope, healing, and second chances to dogs rescued from shelters, owner surrenders, puppy mills, and large-scale breeding operations within Wisconsin.”
Whether it’s a bag of kibble, a crate or a blanket, tangible supplies make a real difference for foster families absorbing an extra animal in a crisis.
The Scope of the Destruction in Wisconsin
The tornado carved a path through a heavily residential subdivision in Marathon County, prompting emergency responses for search and rescue as the storm moved through the region. Some structures were leveled completely, and residents were temporarily trapped in basements as the tornado passed. Despite the severity of the destruction, authorities confirmed there were no fatalities or serious injuries among people.
Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman described the breadth of the damage.
“This is probably the worst area, it was a pretty lengthy area that the tornado traveled through, so we have been assessing a lot more than what we thought we had last night,” Kielman said.
The tornado also caused downed trees, damaged power lines and gas shutoffs in affected neighborhoods. A nearby elementary school sustained minor damage. Local officials described the storm as one of the most destructive events they have seen in decades.
Ringle has a population of less than 2,000 people, making the community response all the more remarkable.
“Somebody is looking over us,” Kielman said. “Thank God that nobody got hurt. Homes are damaged, but we can help them repair them as a community, and I’m sure that will be happening from here on out.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
