Texas is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, now downgraded to a tropical storm, which made landfall last night and wrecked havoc in the state. Many individuals did not heed warnings to evacuate, and rescue teams are going door-to-door in cities such as Galveston to try to get aid to those in need. In Houston the streets are flooded with stormwaters and debris.

According to cbs2.com, Angelenos are getting ready to lend a helping hand, and are reaching out to paws in need:

A "Disaster Animal Response Team" from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals left Los Angeles Saturday morning and headed to Houston to help in animal rescue efforts resulting from Hurricane Ike. [...] The DART team, which consists of 9 SPCA employees, [left California] in a five-vehicle caravan from the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center in Long Beach at around 7:45 a.m. Saturday morning. The team expects to reach Houston on Monday, Sept. 15.

The team is able to provide temporary shelter to animals in need and also immediate on-scene medical attention. They will also be taking part in efforts to help local agencies help people and their animals to get the assistance they need. DART's website explains that their "program consists of an equipped mobile command center, portable kenneling, horse trailers, field rescue vehicles and trained staff and volunteers" and that "all spcaLA programs are made possible by donations." If you'd like to help out, you can make an online donation to spcaLA/DART.

Animals, like these dogs stranded in San Leon, Texas, affected by Hurricane Ike may get assistance from Los Angeles' Disaster Animal Response Team put together by the SPCA | AP Photo/Kim Christensen