We Were There

After a state of emergency was declared in the area, the ASPCA deployed to Schoharie County, New York, to assist with the emergency rescue and sheltering of animals stranded by severe flooding. Small towns are engulfed by water, and roads and bridges have been closed across the county.

“We’re providing emergency water rescues for pets trapped inside flooded homes,” says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “People can’t get home; the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene is just devastating.”

Rescued animals will be taken to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley where they will be triaged and housed until they can be reunited with their families. PetSmart Charities has supplied much-needed provisions such as crates, blankets and bowls.

“We’re committed to helping families and pets impacted by Tropical Storm Irene,” says Rickey. “We’ll be here for as long as they need us.”

Schoharie County residents looking to rescue or shelter their pets or wishing to report lost pets should contact Animal Services at the Schoharie County Emergency Operations Center at (518) 231-2718.

Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for more on this breaking story.

Every single day people arrive to view the hundreds of rescued and displaced animals being cared for at the ASPCA Emergency Shelter in Joplin, Missouri. For nearly 400 families—many of whom lost everything in the May 22 tornado—those visits have led to heartfelt reunions. But for others, it takes hope and a little patience.

With animals being rescued each day, many families return regularly in hopes of finding their beloved pets. One such family was the Freys. The Freys suffered broken bones and bruised spirits, but survived the tornado that demolished their home. But as the dust settled, their cat, Baby Girl, was nowhere to be found.

Reunion
Meanwhile, ASPCA responders began a program to rescue animals in the tornado zone at night. A few nights in, our team found a large calico cat with a sweet face. The next afternoon, as usual, the Freys visited the shelter.

“I saw her and it was instant—I knew it was her,” says Mrs. Frey.

Baby Girl is going home just as the Freys move into their new house. “We’re just so happy to have her back," Mrs. Frey tells. "Without you guys, we would not have known where to even start looking for her—thank you for taking care of our baby."

Learn more about our efforts in Joplin. And please help us continue to support the animal victims of Joplin. Text PLEDGE to 25383 to donate $10 today!

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team is in Joplin, Missouri, following a lethal tornado that devastated the area last weekend. The deployment is especially meaningful for ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response Tim Rickey, who is himself a native of Joplin.

“The destruction caused by the tornado is indescribable, and our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by this disaster—pets and people alike,” says Rickey, who began disaster relief work in Joplin the day after the tornado.

At the request of the Joplin Humane Society, we’re heading up emergency sheltering operations and assisting the Humane Society of Missouri with field rescues. On Monday, Rickey helped the city establish a temporary shelter for family pets near the Joplin Humane Society.

“We hope to alleviate the stress for pet parents by temporarily caring for their animals,” says Rickey.

PetSmart Charities is assisting in this effort, providing two Emergency Relief Waggin' vehicles filled with sheltering supplies like crates, blankets and bowls.

The ASPCA has also coordinated the transport of nearly 150 animals from the Joplin Humane Society to Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield. This move will allow Joplin Humane to accept more animals affected by the tornado.

“We’re ensuring that existing shelter animals are out of harm’s way,” says Rickey, adding that many of the dogs and cats rescued so far are suffering from lacerations, broken bones and eye injuries that appear to have been caused by the storm.

Adds Rickey: “The ASPCA will provide ongoing assistance, personnel and resources in Joplin as long as we’re needed.”

Please help us support the animal victims of recent disasters in the South and Midwest. Text PLEDGE to 25383 to donate $10 today!

The devastation is heartbreaking. Homes have been reduced to rubble, streets transformed into flowing rivers, hundreds have lost their lives—and it’s far from over.

"We see entire communities flooded—animals are stranded on dog houses, in trees and other small patches of dry space," says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. "For many of these victims, rescue is their only hope."

As emergency responders work to help countless families evacuated from their homes due to severe storms, teams of ASPCA responders have been deployed to Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee to rescue and care for animals who have been displaced, stranded and even abandoned.

“Our team is specially trained in water rescue and emergency sheltering for animals in crisis,” says Rickey. “We are doing everything we can to help, and hope families find comfort in knowing their pets are safe.”

Take Action!
To date, the ASPCA has assisted nearly 4,000 animals in these affected areas—but we can’t do it alone. Please help us make sure that no animal is left behind.

Learn how you can help today.