Forsyth County, Ga. Animal Shelter Comes to the Rescue Post-Hurricane Milton
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, a metro Atlanta animal shelter is stepping up in a big way to help pets that have been displaced. The heroic efforts are being led by Furkids, a renowned no-kill shelter based in Georgia, who is sending dedicated volunteers and essential supplies over to Central Florida.
The Mission to Save Displaced Pets
After the hurricane’s aftermath left many areas without power and with severe flooding, the need to assist affected animals became urgent. With shelters in central Florida overwhelmed and in crisis, Furkids quickly responded. They are now on a mission to rescue pets whose families have been displaced by the hurricane. The volunteers have packed vans with all they could carry – from crates to pet food and medical essentials.
“Each one of these crates is probably going to have three or five cats in it,” shared David Garrett, a dedicated Furkids volunteer. “We’ll have food, we’ll have water, they have a litter box in the back and bedding that they’ll be on.”
Challenges on Ground Zero
The trail of devastation Hurricane Milton left has not spared animal shelters. One shelter almost reaching Tampa even reported getting flooded, with their food and litter supplies rendered completely unusable. In such dire conditions where power has been cut off, Furkids knew they had to act on the double. The team decided to hit the road immediately after the call for help was acknowledged.
Samantha Shelton, Furkids’ CEO, mentioned how rapidly they mobilized their resources after understanding the gravity of the situation. “They’re out of power. They’re running out of food. Our team said, let’s do it, let’s go help,” she emphasized.
Plans and Hopes
Furkids has a goal of rescuing at least 50 cats and dogs during this mission, with hopes to accommodate even more should they discover litters of puppies or kittens. Currently managing over a thousand animals in their care, Furkids acknowledges their space challenges but remains deeply committed to this rescue endeavor.
Shelton hopes that they will see many adoptions this month. “We would love to see 300 adoptions this month to open the door for us to be able to bring in more from this natural disaster,” she expressed. Undoubtedly, this would provide the dual benefit of creating new space and offering new forever homes to displaced pets.
A Continuing Commitment
In these trying times, Furkids may undertake multiple trips depending on how the evolving circumstances unfold. The pressing need for intervention following the devastation wrought by the hurricane serves as a reminder of the shelter’s unyielding dedication. “They’re in desperate need because of the storm’s impact,” Garrett poignantly added.
If you’re touched by their efforts and want to be a part of this impactful initiative, consider lending a helping hand or even providing a loving home to these animals.
