Shelter in hurricane's path warns it will euthanize animals if it can't find people to adopt them

[Stonepounder]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2018/09/13/desperate-scramble-save-abandoned-animals-florences-path-euthanasia/?utm_term=.c5f67ddf5739

Shelter in hurricane’s path warns it will euthanize animals if it can’t find people to adopt them

Kevin Raffee had waited until nearly the last minute. His wife, Julie Lamacchia, had already left their seaside home in Wilmington, N.C.

But on Wednesday morning, the “life-threatening” force of Hurricane Florence churned closer, and it was time to leave.

So Raffee started packing the nine-foot moving van in the driveway — dubbed the “Fluffy Bus” — with what really counted: nearly two dozen cats and dogs the couple saved from possible euthanasia.

For many pets that have been left behind or abandoned after their owners fled this coastal county and surrounding communities, the final days before the storm hits could mean life or death.

Local, government-run animal shelters were filling up fast, and in many jurisdictions, such as Pender County, shelters that hit capacity must “make space,” Jewel Horton, manager of Pender County Animal Shelter, told The Washington Post on Wednesday.

This means putting down animals to reduce overcrowding.

“We are avoiding euthanasia at all costs,” Horton said. “That’s why we’re begging for assistance.”

Just to let y'all know. If you or anyone you know, or if you know any rescue organization that can get to these pets, do it now.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. As sad as that is, the brutal reality is that shelters have limited room.

And being humanely put down is a far better alternative than being left to starve or drown.

I not only live several thousand miles away, but at this point in my life it would be irresponsible of me to own more than the one plant I have.

[Doreen]

2. I would never leave my animals behind.

If no one will take them with me then I will stay with them. They are not going to face one of the most horrible things in their life without me there.

[Stonepounder]

3. You and me both!

Our furkids are family!

[Doreen]

4. At this time I only have two cats but I would not even leave a goldfish behind.

[Stonepounder]

5. We have 5 dogs :)

We'll leave them for a couple of hours to go shopping or visit one of the kids. Longer than that if we can't take them all we just don't go.

[Doreen]

7. I have left mine for several days but there was a sitter who came to feed and love them.

I have left them for two nights by themselves all set up so they would be comfortable. To leave them during a storm or earthquake I would never do that.

[chillfactor]

6. I wish I wasn't so far away.....

I would take some of the dogs.

[Duppers]

8. I pm'd DUer MiniMe

Who is well connected to Lab Rescue of the LRCP that rescues, fosters and places homeless, abused and / or abandoned Labrador Retrievers in the Mid-Atlantic region. That's where we got our precious furkid. But they only take retrievers. (We have 2 Lab rescues now.)

Wish I could talk my hubs into a road trip at this late date but that'd be a no-go.

Thanks for posting this. Just how the hell can people desert their pets?!!

[MiniMe]

9. The rescue I volunteer for is already at work for this

They have been at it all week.
From our Facebook page:

With Hurricane Florence headed to the East Coast, a LOT of behind the scenes work has been happening at Lab Rescue! And while we're really busy right now we wanted to take the chance to say thank you to:
- Our Fosters who stepped up to take in more dogs so we can get them moved from our vets and boarding facilities.
- Our Transporters who moved our dogs up from the south Virginia area to clear up space for shelter dogs from the Carolinas to move up.
- Our Intake Team working to move dogs from shelters in North Carolina to make space for the dogs that will be left behind.
- Our Adoption Coordinators working overtime to match families with the labs we have to make room for the ones who will need our help after the storm.
- The Richmond (RVA) team who are preparing to be the safe haven for labs that will need help.
- Our Medical Team helping to get our labs the care they need so they can move to foster homes.
- Our Donors who truly make all this work possible and allow us to say YES to labs after the storm.

Our work is just beginning and we will continue to work around the clock to be prepared to help the labs that we know will come after the storm. If you'd like to help or donate to our hurricane work, please give at www.lab-rescue.org.

[Duppers]

10. You folks are the BEST!

🙏

Sent donation.

[MiniMe]

11. I'm sure a lot of the other rescues are doing the same thing, I only know about this rescue

And we are stepping up. We took dogs from Harvey too. The rescues step up when and where they can.