TYLER — What started out as a routine session to take pictures of cats and dogs that needed to be adopted quickly turned into a mission to save more than a dozen animals.
Facing euthanasia in less than 24 hours after they were dropped off at the Henderson Animal Shelter, April Ratcliff an animal lover herself knew she had to help.
"They didn't have a chance, they didn't have a voice," said Ratcliff. "These animals when you walk in and see them, they can't say hey bust me out of here."
Knowing she couldn't save the animals by herself Ratcliff reached out the the owner of Nicholas' Pet Haven, an animal rescue in Tyler.
"I knew there were people who were animal lovers like me who I could get to help, but I didn't have a way to pull animals, I'm not a rescue I'm a mom," Ratcliff said.
Less than an hour later, Ratcliff with the help of Nicholas' Pet Haven rounded up volunteers who drove the animals to the animal rescue where help awaited.
The dogs and puppies were given baths and had fleas and ticks picked off of them. The next day they were taken to the vet and given their first round of shots.
Four of the dogs are with foster homes, one dog and the 11 puppies are still at Nicholas' Pet Haven.
The facility opens at 10 a.m. and the cost for adopting the remaining dogs is the price of their first round of shots.