SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Seattle Humane taking in hundreds of pets after Hurricane Harvey
Aug 31, 2017, 5:24 AM | Updated: 10:17 am
One of at least 35 dogs makes its way to Seattle Humane, where it'll undergo a checkup and begin the adoption process. (Photo courtesy Jenna Pringle)
(Photo courtesy Jenna Pringle)
Nearly 300 dogs and cats will make their way from Texas to Seattle in the coming days. Seattle Humane is one of many shelters helping to make room for pets displaced by Hurricane Harvey.
Jenna Pringle, marketing and communications director with Seattle Humane, told KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don Show that they rescued at least 35 dogs on Wednesday, but are prepared to bring in many more. The Seattle Times reports another plane with cats will arrive in Seattle on Friday.
Pringle said they’re working on taking in animals that were already at shelters in the Houston-San Antonio area to make room for pets caught in the floodwaters.
“We are not taking in stray pets, lost or abandoned because we want to keep them close to their home so they can be reunited,” Pringle said.
Wings of Rescue provides the funding to help overcrowded shelters around the country disperse animals to shelters with space. The organization says it’s all-volunteer and most pets are flown to their new homes within 3-4 hours, versus the long trip via ground transport.
The next step for the 35 dogs flown into Boeing Field on Wednesday is a checkup and then the adoption process.
Pringle said if you want to help and can’t adopt, shelters or organizations like Wings of Rescue prefer monetary donations over supplies. Most of the shelters in south Texas don’t have the room.
“It’s better if they buy (supplies) as they need them,” she said.
As for actually reuniting pets with their owners, Pringle said the internet and microchips are a powerful combination.
“Also, those shelters in south Texas will be working to communicate with the public to let them know which shelters are housing their pets and which Good Samaritans are helping to house pets,” Pringle said. “It’ll be a very holistic effort to make sure these animals are getting back to their families.”
You can email emergencyfoster@seattlehumane.org to help or donate supplies on the wish list at SeattleHumane.org. Houston SPCA is the lead agency coordinating the rescue efforts, if you’re interested in helping that way.
