Dog boarding business flooded, quick actions save the dogs

TOWN OF BRASHER, New York (WWNY) – Friday night, Ed Russell was in his house which sits a thousand feet away from his business Russell’s Groom and Board.

“We’re a little higher back there apparently, there was nothing back there at all, no water at all,” said Russell.

But at the business, it is a different story. 30 dogs were boarded inside and flood waters were rising. When discovered, there were 2 feet of water inside. That’s taller than some of the dogs.

A call was made to 911.

Fire departments from North Lawrence, Lawrenceville, and Hopkinton-Fort Jackson helped to rescue the dogs.

“They were arm and arm right here helping us, in the pitch dark, waist-deep water, and we completely plan to donate to all three of them because they were over the top,” said Kimberly Russell.

Saturday, more volunteers came to clean the mess.

“You call somebody, they call somebody, next thing you know, they’re showing up,” said Ed Russell.

The business has lost its washer, dryer, food, and treats. But it didn’t stay closed for long.

“Literally only shut down Saturday, Sunday we had people bringing dogs,” said Ed Russell.

Ed Russell says they are in contact with the owners of the dogs who were boarded during the flooding, but he says that some still do not know that the flood even happened.

“A lot of people don’t even know about it because they are out of the country, on vacation, or whatever you know,” said Ed Russell.

When Russell’s wife Kimberly started making calls to the owners, she said they were all very thankful that the dogs were safe.

“Everything that we lost as far as equipment means absolutely nothing as long as the dogs were safe. We can replace grooming tables and equipment and dog food and treats but you can’t replace a pet,” said Kimberly.

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