Emergency Rescue Team Aids Partner
Shelters Hit by Hurricane Irma

After Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida, leaving catastrophic devastation in it’s wake, our Emergency Rescue Team headed south to help some of our partner shelters in Florida who were affected by this epic storm.

Armed with our climate controlled mobile rescue unit filled with pet food, water, and other essential supplies, our team first arrived at Dogs & Cats Forever, a no-kill shelter in Fort Pierce, Florida, and quickly began unloading the supplies donated by our generous supporters in New York. Small shelters like this are often overlooked during high-profile crises. We were grateful to be able to provide this hardworking group with the support they needed. We are also grateful to our corporate partner, Henry Schein, for generously donating pallets of supplies to our Florida shelter partners.

After days without power, Operation Paw, a foster-based cat rescue group in Miami, was desperate for help with the relinquished and homeless cats and dogs taken in during the storm, as well as with the felines in their foster network. The sweltering heat had grown dangerous for all the animals — especially for those on medication that required refrigeration — so the arrival of our air-conditioned mobile units was an answered prayer. We triaged over 50 cats and kittens aboard the unit and are working with the team at Operation Paw to prepare them for transport.

Working closely with our local shelter partners, the Rescue Team coordinated transports back to our Port Washington, N.Y. Adoption Center and other local shelters. We have also been in touch with our partners in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to assess their needs during this trying time.

Your continued support enables us to be ready to act whenever and wherever we are called upon. With millions in Florida and in surrounding areas affected by this devastating storm, and so many suffering catastrophic losses, it’s vital that we continue to do all we can to ease some of the burdens left in the wake of the storm.

60 Cats & Kittens Arrive from Florida
Foster Group Affected by Storm

As our climate controlled Mobile Rescue Unit turned down Lewyt Street on Wednesday afternoon, completing the final stretch of a long journey home from Florida, the 60 cats and kittens aboard may not have known it at the time, but they were finally safe.

Thanks to our collaborative rescue effort with Operation PAW, an all-volunteer foster based animal welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless animals in South Florida, we were able to rescue all of these felines from foster families who were adversely affected by Hurricane Irma. Although these dedicated foster parents tried everything in their power to keep these ailing cats as comfortable as possible during the storm – including one who provided refuge to 15 homeless cats and kittens in her own home – power outages, flooding, and extreme heat made it nearly impossible for the people, let alone these poor animals, to get any relief. Once we got word of the hardships this organization was facing in caring for these sick and injured animals, we made it our top priority to do everything in our power to help.

“Everyone in the area was really struggling, yet the foster families were still trying to care for all of these cats,” said Animal League America Director of Rescue Services Cindy Szczudlo. “With the help of the veterinarians and medical staff at the South Miami Animal Clinic, we were able to have all of these animals examined and cleared to make the trip back to New York with our Emergency Rescue Team. When you see all of these rescue groups, shelters, and medical centers coming together for a greater good it’s really inspiring. We also can’t forget our awesome supporters from social media, who came down to our campus and donated supplies. Everyone has really stepped up during all of these storms, and a lot of good has come of it.”

As for the 60 cats and kittens transported from Florida, many of them will be up for adoption from our Port Washington, N.Y. Adoption Center once they are deemed healthy enough by our veterinarians. Some may need additional treatment and will spend time in our Foster Care Program until fully recovered. The rest of these four legged survivors will be transported to Last Hope Animal Rescue and Bideawee where they will eventually find responsible, loving homes It’s through the support of our generous donors that collaborative rescue efforts such as these are made possible.

Over the past month we’ve seen multiple record setting hurricanes cause catastrophic damage to various parts of the United States, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean islands and beyond. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed, and pets have been displaced from their loving families – all reminders of how precious life is – but through it all we have also seen people come together in support of one another. Because of our compassionate donors, Animal League America will continue to be ready to act when called upon, providing relief whenever and wherever it’s needed.

More Ways to Help Our Shelter Partners

Many of our partner shelters have been dealing with the aftermath caused by these devastating storms, including rescuing and taking in animals that found themselves displaced from their loved ones. While others are doing all they can to help those affected. Below is a listing of shelters that can use your support. Many have Amazon Wishlists where you can order items and send supplies directly to the areas in need.