WEST SENECA, N.Y. -- The SPCA Serving Erie County in West Seneca is expected to receive about 20 dogs and puppies sometime Thursday afternoon.

Some are heading straight from flood-ravaged Texas while others made a stop in New Jersey first for medical treatment.

Shelter leaders have partnered with several national organizations to ensure stranded animals get the help they need after the shelters they were in are now underwater.

"Three or four weeks from now may be very different, but the need is not a one-time thing. This is going to be an ongoing effort that we're going to be stepping up and helping out wherever we can for as long as we're needed," said Gary Willoughby II, SPCA Serving Erie County president and CEO.

Linda White of Hamburg has rescued and fostered dogs for years, and is collecting supplies and donations for shelters in need throughout Texas and Louisiana.  

She's planning to load up a U-Haul hitched to her truck, and head out to the region on Friday to deliver the supplies.

"It's my opportunity to give back to the animal community and to try and help others that do this day in and day out with no reward," said White.

"Many of the supplies White will take with her to Texas are donations from area businesses like Pet Heaven Funeral Home in Orchard Park.

Kimberly Wales, owner of Pet Heaven Funeral Home, is also collecting donations from current and former pet parents, including life jackets and potty pads.

The business will then ship the rest of the items to other rescue groups across the region.

"It's special because this whole town, this whole community of Buffalo, came together and it seemed like just a matter of a couple hours, even though we know nobody over there. We're nowhere close to Texas. We're willing to do anything we can," said Wales.

The SPCA is also expecting other animals September 12 and throughout the rest of the month.