East End-Based Animal Shelters Spring Into Action To Assist Hurricane Florence Rescues

When Hurricane Florence devastated the Carolinas, several local animal shelters stepped in to assist animals that were displaced by the natural disaster.

Kent Animal Shelter (2259 River Road, Calverton, www.kentanimalshelter.com) has already taken in 27 dogs that were transported from North Carolina, and the Calverton-based shelter reached out to Brother Wolf Rescue in Asheville, N.C. to coordinate additional transports.

“The first of many animals have arrived at Kent Animal Shelter,” noted Pam Green, Director of Kent Animal Shelter. “Many more will come to us over the next several weeks from the areas of the Carolinas ravaged by the hurricane.”

Coincidentally, Kent Animal Shelter is hosting Wines and K-9’s, its signature fundraising event, on Sunday, October 7 at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, and proceeds will go towards providing medical care, vaccinations and spay/neuter for these new Kentans.

Hall and Oates are awaiting their forever homes at Kent. (Courtesy Photo)

The breeds of the rescues vary, as does the ages – which range from small puppies to adults (1-4 years). Hall and Oates, 6-month-old brothers, were among the first group brought in from North Carolina. These sweet, lovable boys are now at Kent, hoping to find their forever home.

“Kent Animal Shelter is currently focused on transporting and receiving displaced animals from Hurricane Florence. We are coordinating with other rescue groups and shelters and will be receiving animals over the next several weeks,” Green added. “Please help us with this crisis situation by making a donation today that will fund food, medical supplies, vaccinations and veterinary care.”

For Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) (102 Old Riverhead Road, Hampton Bays, southamptonanimalshelter.com), their goal was to remove shelter dogs from dangerous flood zones and to also boost adoptions to make space at the shelter for these displaced animals.

“When natural disasters occur, the Southampton Animal Shelter stands ready to lend a hand to help out,” Jerry Rosenthal, SASF Executive Director, explained. “We may be a small shelter but by partnering with other animal welfare organizations we can have a significant impact in ensuring these helpless animals are kept from harm’s way.”

After Second Chance NYC President Jennifer Brook heard about Wilson County Humane Society in North Carolina, a shelter that was becoming increasingly overcrowded because they were the only shelter able to accept dogs and were taking the overflow from the other shelters, she teamed up with SASF’s Kate McEntee to quickly put together a plan of action. Flying Fur Animal Rescue pilot Paul Steklenski volunteered for the mission and he arrived at Morristown Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday, September 19 with the rescues – including Clarabelle who rode in the plane’s passenger seat during the trip. Her smiling face greeted volunteers as the plane landed.

Once at SASF, Adoption counselor, Christina Ragone welcomed the new SASFans to the Hamptons-based shelter.

SASF staff and volunteers with some of the new SASFans. (Courtesy Photo)

The new SASFans were animals that resided at shelters in the Carolinas. Unfortunately, as many of these shelters can’t handle the high volume of animals that are being brought to them on a daily basis, some shelters are euthanizing these innocent animals due to lack of capacity. SASF’s mission is to save these at risk animals.

On Wednesday, September 19, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc. (ARF) (124 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton, arfhamptons.org) welcomed 25 dogs from Camden, South Carolina and took in another 27 dogs on Sunday, September 23. The dogs range in age from puppies to adults. ARF joined forces with its rescue partner, Fostering Foster, to extract these dogs from Horry County, an area in South Carolina that was greatly impacted by flooding after the hurricane.

As there are still many, many pets in need of assistance in the Carolinas, ARF stresses that finding ARFans their forever home ASAP is critical to allow the animal rescue to provide sanctuary to even more rescues. In addition to visiting the ARF Adoption Center, several ARFans will be onsite at the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons’ 25th annual “Stroll to the Sea” Dog Walk on Saturday, October 6, which begins and ends at East Hampton Historical Society’s Mulford Farm.

With the influx of animals, there is also a great need for donations of adult dog food, baby formula, baby wipes, batteries, bleach, bungee cords, can openers, Capstar/ flea preventative, cat food, cat litter, Clorox wipes, Dawn dish soap, diapers, first aid supplies, garbage bags (heavy duty), hand sanitizer, ibuprofen, insect repellent, Neosporin, paper food bowls, paper towels, permanent markers, spray bottles, tarps, temporary paper collars, toilet paper, towels, water (gallons and bottles), and wee wee pads.