More than two weeks after Hurricane Sandy mowed over the Eastern Shore, The Human Society of the United States is still hard caring for pets separated from their owners.
Currently, the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) has rescued more than 250 animals from New Jersey and New York and they are sheltering over 480 animals in three emergency shelters for people who cannot keep their pets with them while they cope with the cleanup.
The good news is the HSUS has reunited over 200 pets with their families. However, there is still a lot of work to do.
Here are current stats from the HSUS:
- Handled more than 1,000 calls for pet assistance on hotlines in New Jersey and New York City.
- Took in more than 400 pets while their owners worked on recovery.
- Currently care for over 450 pets – cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, birds and others – in emergency shelters.
- Rescued over 250 from the hardest hit communities.
- Returned over 200 pets to their owners.
- Sent over 50 staff members and volunteers to New Jersey and New York City.
- Partnered with over 30 agencies to help animals.
- Set up three distribution centers in New Jersey to provide pet food and supplies to families and shelters.
- Currently operate two emergency animal shelters in New Jersey and one emergency shelter in cooperation with a local agency in New York.
For those who still need help for their pets there are two rescue hotlines available. In New York City call 347-573-1561 and in New Jersey call 855-407-HSUS.
Full recovery from Hurricane Sandy is still months away and the HSUS, along with local partners, continues to need help rescuing and caring for animals during this crisis. Ways to help include volunteering (see their special requirements for volunteering), donating supplies or donate money.
Carrie Dow is a freelance travel writer whose work has appeared in Islands, International Living and Go World Travel. She also published a children’s book about her annoying cat called Morning, Miss Moo, available in hard copy and digital format from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and iTunes. Mom to an English lab, a Queensland healer mix and a reformed alley cat, she hopes to make the world a little smaller by reporting on its companion animals.
