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Two people and more than 120 animals were rescued from a shelter that flooded during Hurricane Florence on Friday.
A pair of workers, 80 cats, 43 dogs, and approximately 15 chickens were trapped in the Carteret County Humane Society (CCHS) in Newport, North Carolina as a result of the flood.
Emergency
The Cajun Navy and a number of boat-owning volunteers came to the rescue of those trapped in the building – bringing out the workers first, then most of the animals.
At the time they arrived, the roof of the shelter had started to collapse on the group inside, and the flood had reached the top floor of the building.
Unfortunately, the rescuers could not retrieve the chickens, who were in a different part of the shelter.
Disrepair
The shelter was reportedly already in disrepair, and in need of supplies – which were requested in a Facebook post – before the storm hit.
Writing to USA Today, Manager Cassandra Tupaj wrote: “The shelter is old and needed repairs before the storm.
“Also the roof over dog kennels is saturated and not looking like it will hold up the whole storm.”
Other shelters
Unfortunately, a number of shelters in the Carolinas are reaching maximum occupancy, and at least one has warned that euthanization may be the next step.
With people leaving animals behind, and many residents fleeing the state, there are too many animals coming in and not enough being rehomed.
