Pets have benefited from Texarkana’s generosity in providing shelter for Port Arthur evacuees who left their homes because of Hurricane Ike.

Rose Hill Baptist Church has the distinction of being a pet-friendly shelter and housed close to 50 evacuees and seven pets during the Ike evacuation.

“The reason we were receiving them ... is we have a building on the other side and we found a room where animals could spend the night,” said the Rev. Juan Puente, the Hispanic pastor for Rose Hill. “I wish I could say I love pets but I don’t. I do love people.”

Puente sa...

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