Surviving the Corridor of Cruelty
Imagine being a dog that has been starved and abused, or worse, used for fighting. Then, when your owner realizes just how sick or injured you are, you’re dumped in Houston’s infamous Corridor of Cruelty and left to die a slow and certain death. This has been the fate of hundreds of dogs, and why animal rescue volunteers, the media, Harris County law enforcement, and Rescue BankSM are now committed to shutting down the Corridor.
Located in a small urban forest northeast of downtown, the Corridor of Cruelty offers little food to eat and only drainage water to drink. The Corridor Dogs are left to fight among themselves for survival- it is one of the most brutal feral dog colonies in Houston. Searching for and trapping injured dogs in the area is risky work. The dogs are fearful, hungry, and aggressive. Their owners are often dangerous, and can be especially hostile when caught dumping a dog injured from fighting.
Despite these dangers, volunteers from all over Houston are now actively trapping and rehabilitating Corridor Dogs, recovering more than 50 since August 2008. Rescue BankSM has committed time, money, and supplies to help these volunteers, supplying several thousand pounds of food to keep the feral colony alive and to help reduce expenses for their foster families. We provide crates, towels, food, and supplies to fosters and shelters and an immediate cash stipend for vet care as each dog is trapped.
Progress is being made, but there is much more work to be done. Area non-profits and Houston media outlets have mounted a public awareness campaign aimed against dog fighting and cruelty. The Harris County District Attorney, Pat Lykos, has launched a coordinated effort with area police and increased the staff and prosecutors assigned to cruelty cases. For the first time, Harris County has established a dedicated animal cruelty prosecutor, Belinda Smith, to vigorously pursue charges against abusers.
In the meantime, Steely and Gretchen and Gisellle are on their long, slow road to recovery. Their fosters are working hard toward the day they can be adopted as “special needs” dogs. Considering how far Steely has come in just a few weeks, that day may not be far off.
“We are committed to helping grass-roots, community-based organizations like Deborah’s,” states Elizabeth Asher, Rescue Bank’s Executive Director. “Corridor volunteers and fosters have limited access to the donor community and often must reach into their own pockets to fund their volunteer work. Rescue Bank is proud to support their humane efforts.”
Hoffman’s group is approaching one hundred rescued dogs and puppies, and shows no sign of slowing down. “We’re going to keep collecting food and supplies for them,” adds Asher, “until they close the Corridor down for good.”
Please help Rescue BankSM support this work with a donation of time, supplies, or money.
 | Giselle – “She forgot what a loving touch is.” |
| Steeley, safe after being trapped at the Corridor |  |
 | Steeley today! |
| Gretchen- broken in body but not in spirit |  |
Eagle to the Rescue (Bank)!
Special thanks to Cody Landsness, a Troop 266 Boy Scout working hard to become an Eagle Scout- their highest honor. For his community service, Cody chose to help Rescue BankSM with several projects- including building tools we need in the warehouse for managing donations and organizing a food supply drive in Southwest Houston neighborhoods. Recently, Cody delivered his first contribution- sorting racks that will make it easier and safer for our volunteers to sort canned goods and move heavily-loaded boxes. The racks were built with fork lift slots, making it much easier to move them around the warehouse.
Cody will soon start his Senior year at St. Thomas High School. For all the volunteers that have been putting up with sore backs for three years, thank you very much, Cody!
Foster Time!
Our groups STILL need foster families! The economy has created a staggering increase in owner turn-ins and abandoned pets. Your commitment to foster one or two pets per year would be a huge help for dogs and cats that suddenly find themselves unwanted and homeless. Fosters typically care for their pets from 6 weeks to 6 moths, until an adoptive home can be found. Please go to our Registered Groups page and contact one or two groups to ask how you can play a key role in the very rewarding process of helping a homeless pet.