When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury across the southern United States, North Shore Animal League America’s rescue team sprang into action. With shelters in the region already overburdened, the urgency to make room for animals displaced by the storm was critical. Our Mobile Rescue Unit hit the road to come to the aid of our partners.
Our first stop was Georgia, where Albany Humane desperately needed help. We delivered vital supplies and took in 20 dogs, helping them better care for the incoming wave of animals. Our team continued to Lakeside Animal Rescue in South Carolina, where we added 13 kittens and two cats to our transport.
“Thanks to the relationships we have with our shelter partners in the region, we were able to make plans in advance to provide relief,” explained Animal League America’s Senior Rescue Manager, Karla Scaramuzzo. “Being able to mobilize quickly is so important. These facilities need to be able to take in animals lost after the storm or those needing temporary housing.”
After the storm tore through the region, travel was challenging. Downed trees, closed highways, and loss of cell service added to the difficulty of reaching some of the hardest-hit areas. “We were detoured two hours in North Carolina because some of the main highways were closed,” Karla shared. “But we were determined to get through.”
It’s important to note that the animals we rescued were already awaiting adoption before the storm hit. Now safe at our campus, every dog, cat, puppy and kitten is receiving the care they need — whether that means surgery, medication, or simply a cuddle and a cozy bed — until they find a home of their own.
Recovery efforts will take time and to assist our shelter partners, we continue to promote their wish lists for supplies. You can click here to donate directly to help them.
To support our partners in North Carolina, members of our rescue team headed back south. They met with Rescue DOG & End of Life Sanctuary, which had been taking in dogs from overwhelmed local shelters. Partners! Canines, located in Boone, NC, met the team there, bringing more animals in need of help. In total, our team was able to transport a total of 34 dogs and puppies safely back to our Port Washington, NY campus.
Meanwhile, as Hurricane Milton approached Florida with devastating force, our partner Furry Friends worked tirelessly to evacuate cats and kittens from shelters and foster homes across the state, focusing especially on the vulnerable west coast. They transported these animals out of danger, making the long journey to our campus. While these felines are now secure, the aftermath of the storm brought further heartbreak: a tornado, triggered by Hurricane Milton, destroyed Furry Friends’ facility. Fortunately, no lives — human or animal — were lost, but the journey to rebuild will be challenging.
In times like these we are reminded of the power of teamwork and the strength of our partnerships. There’s no rest when it comes to saving lives – and in the face of disaster, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting animals in need, no matter the obstacles.