Happy Birthday

Help Houston SPCA celebrate 100 years with a big birthday bash

The Houston SPCA has spent the last 100 years helping animals like Twix.

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

It's time for a very special celebration: Houston SPCA is marking 100 years of helping the city's most vulnerable animals with a birthday bash on Saturday, April 27, from 11 am-4 pm, and you're all invited.

Join staff and volunteers for a fun-filled day that will include demonstrations in the equine center, expert wildlife chats, prizes and giveaways, a beer garden and coffee bar, Kona Ice, live music, adoptable pets, and more.

For this momentous milestone, here's a look back at the history of Houston SPCA's 24-hour animal rescue ambulance.

Houston SPCA historic animal ambulance "Houston's Animal Ambulance" has been serving the community since the 1930s.Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

As early as the 1930s, a donated rescue van with a ladder secured to the top was used to respond to reports of animals in need, including those trapped in sewers, car engines, or even on roofs of homes.

It was often called, according to one newspaper report, “Houston’s Animal Ambulance.” Born out of necessity, it was another service the community needed, and the Houston SPCA was there to step in for animals who are unowned and injured.

Today, the Houston SPCA still has the only 24-hour animal rescue ambulance in the Gulf Coast region, with a team of highly trained emergency veterinary medical technicians (EVMTs) who can quickly assess injured animals’ medical needs as soon as they arrive at the scene.

Houston SPCA animal ambulance The animal ambulance and some of its team today.Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

Under the guidance of chief animal welfare and medical officer Dr. Roberta Westbrook, this experienced team also provides supportive care for animals in the Houston SPCA hospital.

Collectively, this team responds to more than 7,600 calls and travels more than 132,000 miles annually, all while providing exceptional patient care for animals 24 hours a day, 365 days per year who otherwise have no one to care for them.

This essential service serves all of Harris County and provides immediate assistance to animals that are injured, orphaned, or in distress. A call for help can be answered at 713-880-HELP (4357).

Browse all animals — adoptions are happening on April 27 from 11 am-6 pm — and see all the ways you can help at HoustonSPCA.org.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.