Local Organizations Are Aiding Hurricane Rescue Efforts – You Can Help, Too
California suffers through fire season, or El Nino. The Pacific Northwest has volcanos and earthquakes. Nor’easters in New England. Every year, wherever you are in the United States, there is a “disaster season.” Right now it’s hurricane season and the devastation wrought by Helene, followed closely by Milton, has cost many lives.
Larger organizations such as the Humane Society and the ASPCA are critical to the disaster response, providing emergency veterinary care and distributing pet supplies and food. Red Rover is one of the amazing volunteer organizations with boots on the ground in these situations. However, there is another critical part played by local groups.
In order to allow shelters and rescues in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to help the immediately storm-displaced animals, several local DC area rescues and dog day cares have stepped up. “By transporting animals who were available for adoption pre-storm out of the region, local animal services will be better positioned to take in and care for displaced animals in their community, increasing the likelihood of reunifications,” the Humane Society said in the news release.
Sue Bell, executive director of Homeward Trails (a leading local dog and cat rescue), has stated “As shelters across the country are filled to capacity, having safe, healthy space for our rescued animals to thrive while awaiting adoption is truly lifesaving.” And that’s why they’ve partnered with District Dogs.
According to the District Dogs blog, “Homeward Trails is working with on-site animal rescue organizations to transport animals to the D.C. region while District Dogs is providing additional shelter capacity to Homeward Trails as it deals with the influx of animals in need.”
Atlas Doghouse has been working closely with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in a similar capacity, to provide respite and calm for those lucky enough to have been evacuated. Lucky Dog works hard to find homes for displaced animals, and Hurricane Helene rescue pups can be found on Instagram or their website, or any number of adoption events they have around the Washington DC area.
Most of these local DC area organizations are volunteer run, and they need our help to continue to do the heavy lifting.
A great way to support local rescues and shelters is to join in the fun! Hurricane season happens to coincide with costume season and festival season, and there’s plenty to do around town that puts the FUN in fundraiser, like the Paws for a Cause: Halloween Edition, a fundraiser to support another fantastic rescue, Rural Dog Rescue.
While monetary donations are always a good idea, rescues also need supplies like food and litter. Look up pet pantries around town to see what kinds of donations different places take. Plenty of organizations have Amazon and Chewy wishlists, too. In fact, The Big Bad Woof is offering 15% off any donations purchased through us (if online use code DISASTERHELP and choose in-store pickup).
A huge and common need for rescues and shelters are volunteers. Check your calendar, and I bet you’ll find a couple of hours a week to donate in service of dogs and cats – volunteer to walk dogs at the Humane Rescue Alliance, or handle dogs at adoption events at stores like The Big Bad Woof. Even taking dogs on car rides or for a sleepover at your home can be hugely beneficial to a dog’s emotional well being.
Longer term volunteering in the form of fostering an animal is by far the most needed contribution any time of year, not just during natural disaster season. Sometimes it can be a long haul; fostering is more than simply providing a temporary room or roof – fosters and other volunteers participate in adoption events all over town to actively find their fosters a forever home. A great note from the Washingtonian states, “Shelters provide the food, supplies, and money for medical care for the animals, and most places are looking for homes that can make at least a two-week commitment.”
Adoption is another option. It’s a real commitment and by doing so you’re making a lifesaving decision that helps combat the cycle of homelessness in animals. Adoption fees are regularly waived in order to encourage adoption, however, pet parenthood is not free. You should budget about $600 a month for your pet’s needs.