Emergency Actions

October 2024

Hundreds if not thousands of animals will be affected by Hurricane Helene, just as their human companions, who continue to reel from the monster storm. Already, reports indicate hundreds of animals have been received in Virginia and as far away as Ohio, Wisconsin and elsewhere from affected states, and many more are likely to come.

Initial influx came from humane societies already looking to find homes for displaced animals. But now, most of us can only imagine all the other pets that have been lost in the storm who have yet to be reunited with their families. The ASPCA and other organizations are certainly busy with the response, looking to save what animals they can, feeding and housing them in original and newly improvised shelters, and coordinating reunifications and transportation to other locations where animals can be better cared for.

“Of course, many of us are getting out dollars to these organizations and doing what we can to be a part of the Hurricane Helene recovery,” said Fox Terrier Network (FTN) President Evelyn Colgan. “Our thoughts and prayers are out to all that are helping in the effort and those who have been so gravely affected by the disaster.”

Evelyn noted that FTN is preparing to relaunch its website and restart fundraising and coordination efforts. “We are not ready to help directly with the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts,” she said. “It is my hope that, in the future, we are ready to engage with committees to help assist fosters. It would also be a dream to send a team of people to help with rescues that are required with such disasters.”

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Anyone who would like to volunteer to be on a committee or be listed in a stand-by capacity can click this link.

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Although an updated emergency preparedness check-list specific for Fox Terriers has yet to prepared by FTN, watch for a future blog that may assist with your own plans. “So much is going on with climate change. We have fires in the west, hurricanes in the south and all sorts of other issues to worry about. Hopefully a well thought out check-list will help you if you ever have need,” Evelyn said.

Thanks to the ASPCA for permission to post the above photos.

For immediate reference, here is a link to the ASPCA’s “Pet Disaster Kit” checklist: https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/blog_disaster-prep_090220_info.png.