Houdini Burk Buddy Fund

Our Mission:

Inspire and partner with our community to provide a humane and compassionate future for all canine/feline friends. 

Our Vision:

To assist local animals in crisis- by aiding with basic healthcare, rehoming, foster-to-transport for shelter dogs who are in danger of euthanasia due to overcrowding, and to support healthy pets through education, free spay and neuter. 

YOU CAN'T 

BUY LOVE, 

BUT YOU CAN 

RESCUE IT....

When stray dogs are found roaming the city streets and end up at the Burkburnett Animal Services shelter, they are in need of vaccinations such as rabies, and other services such as neuter and spay that will allow them to become adoptable.  The cost to provide care can include treating them for heartworm, parvo virus, distemper, and other serious medical conditions.  There are many that need lots of help to be healthy and local shelters do not have the resources to provide this type of care.  In those dire circumstances and with overcrowding of the shelter being a consistent problem, euthanasia is the animal's fate. To end this sad cycle, we must educate and advocate the benefits of spay and neuter which will save lives by preventing unwanted litters.  

YOUR DONATIONS PLAY A CRITICAL PART IN KEEPING HOUDINI'S LEGACY ALIVE

This fund was started after our beloved Houdini suffered horrific injuries and needed extensive care.  His generous Burkburnett friends provided donations that allowed us to get him well and even have some left over.  It was decided that these funds would be used to start the Houdini Burk Buddy Fund.  Since February of 2020, Houdini and his human rescue friends have designated over 130 dogs as his buddies so that they could be given their needed vetting and become ready for adoption.  Houdini has a fan page where we regularly post his “buddies” and receive donations.   Because of the continuing generosity of Houdini’s friends, the fund is still helping dogs.  Donations to his fund are always appreciated!  

Houdini’s Story 

We have many stories of this famous boy dating back to about 2009.  He wandered through the streets and park in Burkburnett, Texas, and was a familiar sight to us all.  Houdini loved to go to local restaurants and Friendship Park.  He got plenty of handouts and lived on his own for at least 9 years that we know of.  He accepted food but was very leery of human interaction and would just turn and walk away if anyone got too close.  He did like the ladies and his routes often took him by some of his doggie girlfriends.   We think there are many dogs in Burk that can claim some Houdini parentage.  

As much as we all loved seeing this gentle soul in town, we always worried about him.  In extreme weather he would not accept shelter and he did have at least one injury that made him limp.  Some rescue friends tried to make sure he received flea/tick preventative and heartworm meds when possible.  His capture was often discussed, and Animal Services did try to catch him, but he was always able to evade capture.  There was also the problem of where he would go, and would he accept a permanent home if he was captured?  Many of us doubted that he could ever trust enough to want to live with humans.  

His story changed in December 2019.  He was found close to death with a horrible, gaping neck wound.  Rescue friends got him the care he needed to heal and a place to recuperate.  The process was slow.  At that time, it became obvious to his fosters that he could accept and live in a normal home with special care given to his unique background.  We were extremely lucky to find an adoptive family for him that gave him a new lease on life.  He was healthy, happy, loved, and content over the 4 years he was with us.  We could not have wished for a better situation for Houdini to live out the rest of his life.  Sadly, Houdini passed away in July of 2024 at the age of 14-15 years.  We are all heartbroken at his passing but know that we are dedicated to continuing his legacy.  

There is a Fans of Houdini page on Facebook with over 500 members and a nonprofit called Houdini Burk Buddy Fund that oversees donations to help Burk dogs in honor of our beloved Houdini.  He and his family were often seen enjoying as early morning walk in Friendship Park, even on the day of his passing.   Houdini continues to inspire us to help other homeless Burk dogs through his Burk Buddy Fund.  There are currently over 140 Houdini Burk Buddies that have benefited from his legacy.  His Fix Your Critter campaign has over 50 dogs and cats that are getting help with spay/neuter costs.  We hope to continue serving Burkburnett in honor of Houdini for many years to come.   He is our beloved legend and our inspiration.  

“You can’t change a dog’s past, but you could rewrite his future.”