RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond SPCA has taken in 30 cats and 12 dogs from North Carolina shelters damaged by Helene.
The evening of Tuesday, Oct. 1, a BISSELL Pet Foundation transport carrying 140 dogs and cats from the Yancey and Michell county animal shelters arrived at the Richmond SPCA.
“Both of them are experiencing no power, no water — and this is just an emergency effort to get these pets to a safe place [where] they can be comfortable and then ultimately find loving homes,” said Richmond SPCA assistant manager of admissions Nicole Harrig.
Harrig told 8News that the Yancey shelter in particular is experiencing incredible hardship.
“Their shelter director’s home is completely gone,” she said. “It’s been really impactful for their team.”
Many of these animals were taken to partner shelters, with said partner shelters coming together Tuesday night at the Richmond SPCA to coordinate that distribution. The Richmond SPCA previously announced it would serve as such a “hub” during this transfer.