Puppy Food Bank

New Puppy Food Bank launches to support 'no kill' pet rescues in Texas

The Puppy Food Bank provides food supplies to pet rescue organizations.

San Antonio Humane Society Facebook

This month, Texas welcomes a new food bank specifically dedicated to serving pets in need. The Puppy Food Bank is a new 501(c) nonprofit organization working to provide food supplies to pet rescue organizations committed to being “no kill.”

The San Antonio-based group focuses on helping pet rescue organizations face the massive influx of animals arriving daily at local shelters across Texas. According to the website, the virtual pet food bank works with "pet food distributors to ship pet food directly to shelters, organizations, and approved fosters."

The organization specifically supports "no kill" pet rescues across the state, currently serving groups in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Dallas-Fort Worth. The organization's first local partner, according to a media release, is God's Dogs Rescue, located in Van Ormy, Texas.

To celebrate its launch, Puppy Food Bank will hold a special press conference at its headquarters on Thursday, December 15 at 2 pm. Television personality John O'Hurley will join Puppy Food Bank founder Bob Wills and executive director Danielle Gunter for the announcement.

Perhaps best known as the host of the National Dog Show, O'Hurley is also an actor, comedian, and author. O’Hurley will serve as the organization's official ambassador and spokesperson. More information on the new nonprofit will be available online at puppyfoodbank.org.

Sobering statistic

Texas ranks as one of the deadliest states for New Year’s crashes

Courtesy

Be sure to arrange a safe ride home on New Year's Eve.

At more than 314,000 miles, Texas boasts the largest system of public roads among the 50 states. It also holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest states for New Year’s car accidents.

An analysis of 2014-2023 traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows Texas is the ninth worst state for traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

During the 10-year period covered by the analysis, commissioned by AutoAccident.com, Texas tallied 280 traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day — the highest total of any state. The 280-person toll in Texas works out to 9.61 deaths per one million residents, a rate that’s 37 percent above the national average of 6.99 deaths per one million residents.

The analysis reveals that nearly three-fourths (64 percent) of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traffic deaths in Texas were drivers, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) were pedestrians, and 16 percent were passengers.

“New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,” says Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, a personal injury law firm.

“With impaired driving incidents spiking during holiday celebrations, every driver has a responsibility to make smart choices that protect themselves and others sharing the road,” Smith adds. “Even in states with strong safety records, one preventable death is too many.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes happened during the 2024 holiday season. Last year, December ranked as the No. 1 month in Texas for wrecks caused by drunk drivers.

“The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” says Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT. “Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous, and safe. That means always getting a sober ride.”

TxDOT offers these four tips for staying safe on the roads as the calendar switches from 2025 to 2026:

Designate a sober driver before the celebrations start.
Ask a sober relative or friend to pick you up if you’re too tipsy to drive.
Use public transit or rideshare services.
Stay off the roads until you’ve sobered up.

traffic fatalities crime holidays new year's day new years eve traffic