What Happened to the Missing Pets After the Ringle, Wisconsin, Tornado? Everything to Know
A tornado tore through Ringle, Wisconsin, on Friday afternoon, damaging at least 75 homes and leaving cats, dogs and other animals stranded, injured or separated from their owners. In a community of fewer than 2,000 people, volunteers with Fetch Foster Rescue are now racing to keep displaced pets safe while families figure out what comes next.
The effort has already produced results — and heartbreak. Some animals had to be put down because of injuries from the storm, according to volunteers. But the group said every pet reported missing has now been found.
How Volunteers Are Rescuing Pets After the Ringle Tornado
Fetch Foster Rescue has taken in animals from families whose homes were destroyed. Their focus right now is making the animals as comfortable as possible while the cleanup continues.
“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.”
Schmitz said some families face additional barriers. Renters may live in properties that restrict certain animals or breeds. She asked landlords and property owners to consider making temporary exceptions.
“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 anyone still missing a pet who hasn’t contacted an animal organization, search and rescue teams have traps and cameras available to help, Schmitz said.
The organization is also accepting donations of pet supplies and food to support families fostering animals.
How Much Damage Did the Ringle Tornado Cause?
The tornado struck Marathon County on Friday afternoon, carving a path through a heavily residential subdivision. Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman said around 75 homes in the town of Ringle and surrounding areas were damaged, with some structures leveled completely.
“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.
Emergency crews reported residents were temporarily trapped in basements as the tornado passed, though all were eventually located and rescued. Authorities confirmed no fatalities or serious injuries.
“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.”
The storm also downed trees, damaged power lines and forced gas shutoffs in affected neighborhoods. A nearby elementary school sustained minor damage. Displaced residents were directed to a temporary shelter at a local middle school.
Local officials described the tornado as one of the most destructive events they have seen in decades.
What Is Fetch Foster Rescue?
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.”
The group is now channeling that mission toward tornado relief, taking in displaced animals and coordinating supplies for families willing to temporarily foster pets.
Recovery and cleanup efforts began shortly after the storm, with damage assessments continuing as officials evaluated which homes could be safely reentered.
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