In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, animal rescue volunteers from all over the U.S. came in to help.
Those who dedicate their lives to helping animals at home have not forgotten. Now, after Hurricane Helene, they are making a difference, as the first group of animals is about to arrive.
By now, we've all seen the areas of North Carolina wiped off the map by the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene's path of destruction. This reminds Louisiana animal rescue groups of 2005.
“It just is so heart-wrenching to see that they are in the same position that we were after Katrina, and most of the shelters in the greater Asheville area are all flooded,” said Denise Gutnisky,
President of Scott’s Wish, the non-profit arm of Mardi Paws.
So, animal rescue groups Mardi Paws and Scott's Wish, along with the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, have teamed up to return the gift from so many volunteers when Louisiana animal shelters were in need.
“There was zero hesitation. Soon as I saw on the news how bad it was, we immediately called,” said Jason Bolko, St. Francis Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Director of Special Operations.
St. Francis workers are scrambling to get the unused part of its 52 acres in Tylertown, Mississippi, ready for the dogs and cats that were in now destroyed North Carolina shelters.
Tuesday night, 35 will arrive and be housed with the 137 already there waiting for families to adopt them.
“We're fully prepared to do a full intake protocol and get these guys' surgeries taken care of if necessary and immediately start getting these guys out into homes,” said Bolko.
The van will drop off, then turn back around to go get more, but will not go back empty.
“We could only send back five generators, and we sent back 500 pounds of dog food, a few hundred pounds of cat food, water, oil for the generators, supplies that they really need,” said Gutnisky.
Now, you can adopt any of these animals by going online to St. Francis Sanctuary, or you can go to Canseco's Market in Old Metairie on Sunday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where they'll have a big adoption event. Tito's Vodka is covering all the adoption fees.
As North Carolina heals, these same groups hope to help rebuild its rainbow bridge—the one the Lacombe bridge is modeled after. That North Carolina bridge and all of the pet collars people attach after saying goodbye to their four-legged friends were swept away.
Donations of food, blankets, toys, and especially funds and volunteers to build more enclosures for the animals are always needed.
Here are several animal rescue groups that you can donate to:
St. Francis Sanctuary, Mardi Paws and Scott’s Wish, MARDI PAWS™ ǀ SUPER KREWE FOR K9s and SCOTT'S WISH | HOME
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