Shelter animals are being saved from rural North Carolina shelters that have had no food, no water, no power, and no supplies to sustain.
WINSTON-SALEM, Forsyth County — We’ve been talking about the work our community is doing to help Helene victims.
The Forsyth Humane Society continues to collect pet food, beds and toys all going to impacted animals, but it’s not just donations that are needed, they are also looking for fosters to help clear space for incoming animals.
Nearly 700 pets that were already in animal shelters not impacted by Helene are being moved so those animals who were impacted by the storm can have a place to stay.
Director of Field Operations, Kim Alboum with the Bissell Pet Foundation says on top of donations, a need now is fosters.
“The one thing that I would ask all North Carolinians, right, now is to please foster or adopt a pet from your local animal shelter. It doesn't matter where you live in North Carolina, we need to make room for pets that are going to continue to come in from western North Carolina,” said Kim Alboum.
Helping to pack supplies is volunteer and dog mom Jillian Tate who called out from work just to lend a hand.
Tate says her social media has been flooded with pets impacted by Helene.
“Thinking about all of the humans finding support in their pets it's kind of a small piece of mind to help out in that way,” Tate said.
Forsyth Humane Society is one of many shelters assisting the Bissell Pet Foundation.
And the help is continuing to come in from shelters around the state making a difficult time—bearable.
“It's been really incredible here in North Carolina because the North Carolina has shelters has stepped up for their fellow shelters that have been impacted. it is, it has just been absolutely incredible to see,” Alboum said.
Alboum says the Department of Agriculture has put out a recommendation that impacted pets coming in should be held for at least 30 days that way they can try to find their owners.
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