Animal shelters in the Upstate have reported increased numbers of animals following Hurricane Helene.
Anderson County PAWs shelter currently has 100 dogs in its care.
“Many of these animals are strays who became separated from their owners during the storm, and a few are injured animals with various injuries that were obviously out there during the storm,” said Dr. Kim Sanders, a veterinarian and director of Anderson County PAWS shelter located at 1320 Highway 29 South in Anderson.
“A lot of people lost their homes or fencing, or they lost the ability to take care of their pets during this time,” she said. “So we are seeing a lot of stray animals.”
On October 8, the Greenville Humane Society assisted the Anderson County PAWS shelter by transporting and caring for 12 dogs. These included two puppies, four young dogs, and six large adult dogs. Sanders expressed gratitude for the additional support provided by their rescue partners.
This collaboration has helped manage the overflow and ensure these animals receive attention and resources. The Greenville Humane Society’s efforts have helped reduce overcrowding and increased the chances of these pets being reunited with their families or finding new foster homes.