Nonprofit delivers cats and dogs rescued from hurricane-ravaged states to NYC shelter

Cats and dogs impacted by recent hurricanes that hit southern states have arrived at Best Friends Animal Society’s New York City center, where they will either stay and be put up for adoption or be transported to a safe shelter in Massachusetts.

The national animal welfare organization delivered 10 dogs and 20 cats to the center on Oct. 10, from shelters following Hurricane Helene and later the impending Milton. Due to the devastation caused by the hurricanes, shelters have gone without electricity, water or supplies, leaving the welfare of the sheltered animals at risk. Cats and dogs brought to New York City will be treated and then put on the path to finding a new home. 

“Since North Carolina has already happened, we have transport teams on the ground helping get animals out,” said Amy Gravel, marketing manager for Best Friends Animal Society. “We also have teams on the ground helping to provide generators, food, water, anything that they can provide for the shelters to keep running, for pets that maybe they can't get out, or some pets that need to stay.”

Best Friends Animal Society has been working in Florida, North Carolina and Georgia getting animals to safety. They have opened three Pet Resource Hubs in western North Carolina to expand their work saving displaced animals from natural disasters. Once the animals arrive at a Best Friends Animal Society lifesaving center, they are screened for any medical or behavioral issues, treated, microchipped, then put up for adoption. 

“The next stop for these animals is to find them loving homes,” said Darryl Moore, senior manager of lifesaving programs at Best Friends Animal Society.

“Our hard-working staff and volunteers are going to assess these animals, make sure they are properly cared for and make sure they get all the medical attention they need,” Moore said. “Essentially, once they get that clean bill of health, we'll put them up for adoption and continue our mission, along with saving awareness.”

Best Friends Animal Society started in 1984 with the mission to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters. In the United States, there are 3,964 shelters across the country, according to data reported by Best Friends Animal Society on its website. The total population of cats and dogs that entered the shelter system in 2023 was 4.76 million, but only 3.97 million were saved. In the same year, 415,000 dogs and cats were killed across the country. Best Friends Animal Society has a goal of ending the killing of animals at animal shelters by 2025.