Natural Disasters

After violent storms ravaged the Northeastern part of Kentucky, displacing thousands of families—including hundreds of companion animals—the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team arrived at the Pike County Animal Shelter in Pikeville, KY, to provide emergency transport and placement for more than 100 animals.

"Pets have been displaced just as people have," says Brandon Roberts of the Pike County Judge Executive's Office. "The transfer has allowed the Pike County Animal Shelter to accept pets from families who were forced to evacuate their homes." The shelter will hold the displaced pets until their families can accommodate them—there will not be a charge for the emergency boarding.

Over a two-day period, the transfer animals were safely transported in the ASPCA's custom-built animal transport trailer to various ASPCA Shelter Response Partners across the country.

Organizations that quickly stepped forward to support the ASPCA's relief efforts include: Capital Area Humane Society in Columbus, OH; Humane Society of Berks County in Reading, PA; Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association in Ledgewood, NJ; Nashville Humane Association in Nashville, TN; and Elk County Humane Society in St. Mary's, PA.

"My hope is to get these animals into the great homes they deserve," says JoAnne Smith, Director and Humane Officer for the Elk County Humane Society. "We are proud to offer our full support to the ASPCA." Just last month, the ASPCA assisted Elk County Humane Society with the removal of nearly 400 cats from a local animal hoarder.

"Our team has the capability of responding to emergency situations across the country, and we will continue to provide supplies and support animals in Pike County as long as we're needed," says Kyle Held, the ASPCA's Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response.

Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for more details on this developing story.

When disaster strikes, it is the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team's first priority to get into the field to save as many animals as possible. At the height of the recent flooding in Tennessee, the team navigated swift water currents, pulling struggling animals from floodwaters, out of trees and from dilapidated homes.

On May 8, a family who had been forced to leave pets behind placed a desperate call to authorities. "The family had been able to move the animals to higher ground before they were evacuated," reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA's Director of Operations. "But this was almost four days ago, and we had no idea the conditions we would find them in."

Aided by the ASPCA's powerful and fully equipped search and rescue boat, the Team set off for the home in question. "In situations such as these, proper gear and equipment is vital for a successful rescue," says Kyle Held, Midwest Director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "When doing water rescues, it's always the unseen that presents the biggest hazard. The murk could be covering shattered glass, wire fencing, even cars or other large objects that the boat could potentially hit—or worse, that a rescuer could step on or become entangled in"

Yet, the most eminent danger of floodwater is contamination. The water itself becomes a deadly toxic soup, which can cause serious harm to both humans and animals, reports Held. "It's polluted by everything you find in a home—sewage, kerosene, garbage, bleach and other hazardous chemicals—and it's everywhere."

Navigating the flood waters, the team arrived at the scene to discover a dozen chickens, a peacock and a goat congregated on a tiny area of dry land which was rapidly shrinking with the rising water. "When you see an emergency situation like this, the initial impulse can to be to rush in because you know the animals are in desperate need," reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA's Director of Operations. "But you have to slow down, size up the entire scene and determine the safest course of action." An investigation of the home, uncovered a cat, as well.

After taking precautions, the team successfully secured the animals on the boat. During their final survey of the scene, they noticed a small Tabby cat stuck on top of what appeared to be a small trailer engulfed in water. "The cat was hiding in a small nook," says Cardona. "The amount of dry space left was so small, she was soaked, but surrounded by 4-feet of water, there was nowhere for her to go."

The ASPCA search and rescue boat has the capacity to hold dozens of animals comfortably. "As soon as the animals were secured in the boat, they fell asleep," says Joel Lopez, ASPCA's Logistics Manager. "Between the rain, followed by severe heat, and not having access to food or water, they were just exhausted. I like to think they were finally able to relax, now that relief had come."

The next step was to get the animals back to the shelter and decontaminated, a process that consists of repeated washings with Dawn liquid dish detergent. "We set up several decontamination stations at the shelter," explains Lopez. "These animals have been exposed to heavily polluted waters, and since they groom themselves by licking their fur or preening their feathers, the risk for serious illness is high."

At the shelter, a reunion of pets with their families is always a touching experience and this case was no exception. "The family was there to greet us as we arrived back at the shelter," says Lopez. "Emotions were high—they were just so happy to be reunited with their beloved pets."

For vital information on creating disaster plans that include your pets, visit our Disaster Preparedness Tips.

After two days of intense thunderstorms that brought devastating floods to the city of Nashville, TN, and forced evacuations across multiple states, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team have been deployed at the request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. The ASPCA is currently on the ground helping to care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis.

ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and immediately established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals—providing extra cages, bowls, food, industrial fans and other necessary supplies. The team also set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the polluted flood water can be washed and cleaned.

"The temporary shelter has helped ease the strain on the already full humane society," says Allison Cardona, the ASPCA Director of Operations. "The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the animals in their community during this life-threatening event."

The ASPCA has also worked with local authorities to implement a water rescue team, with volunteers navigating some areas in small motor boats to access abandoned pets. Most of the animals in custody have been removed from homes at the request of pet parents forced to evacuate and will be housed at the temporary shelter until they are claimed. All incoming animals will recieve a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, will be vaccinated as a precaution. The Humane Society is not charging for the emergency boarding or medical care.

"Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated," says Dr. Carol Feather, President and Co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. "We're grateful for the ASPCA's assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can—that's our job."

In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.

"The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area for as long as we're needed," says Cardona. "We are glad to be in a position to provide relief."

Please stay tuned to the ASPCA blog for breaking news on this disaster and our efforts to aid.