Ben Madilynn
Hurricane Helene devastated the southern United States, killing over 200 people, swallowing towns and displacing thousands of people. And in the wake of all the destruction, pets have been left without homes too.
Since the storm, MSPCA-Angell has been working to bring these animals to Massachusetts to find homes for them up North.
So far, they’re received 15 dogs from the Humane Education Society and McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem on Oct. 1 and 19 dogs the organization took in from the Tennessee shelters the weekend prior.
Many of the dogs are puppies aged four-months and younger, but some older dogs made the journey as well. Breeds include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and Pit Bulls.
More are on the way.
“Our partners there (in Tennessee) are dealing with a lot of flooding, and they’re expecting to see an influx in surrenders and displaced animals as a result of the hurricane,” MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection Mike Keiley said in a written statement. “These transports of dogs that were living in the shelters prior to the storm will allow those groups to help more local animals impacted by it.”
There’s another transport coming of cats coming in from Pasco County Animal Services in Florida and plans are in the works to transport as many as 80 dogs and cats this week from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, North Carolina, in another partnership with the ASPCA, according to the agency.
When will the animals be available to adoption?
The goal is to adopt the relocated animals. Animals have to be quarantined for 48-hours and receive medical care before they can be adopted out.
“For us to be successful, we need support from the community,” said Keiley in a press release. “If you have space in your home and your heart, we would love for you to come adopt or foster some of the animals in our care.”
How can the public help?
The public can help the group by making a donation at the MSPCA-Angell website.
The MSPCA-Angell will post updates on all pending transports, as well as how the new arrivals are settling in, across its social media platforms.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Hurricane Helene displaced hundreds of pets. Some coming to MA for adoption
