Anderson Animal Shelter to receive Hurricane Harvey displaced shelter pets

Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin, Illinois, will be receiving shelter animals from flood-affected shelters in Texas.

Shelters throughout southern Texas and parts of Louisiana were hit hard by hurricane Harvey, with floodwaters rising faster than anyone expected. Many of these shelters were forced to evacuate all of their animals to other shelters, most of which were already full.

The Humane Society of Tulsa received over 300 dogs and cats from flooded shelters, and they soon found themselves in need of assistance, with more animals arriving daily from the Houston area. Some of the animals needing help were lost pets or pets left behind during evacuations. Others, were homeless pets that were already at the shelter when the hurricane hit.

"One lesson we learned from Hurricane Katrina is the importance of keeping pets lost in the storm, local to the area. In the confusion immediately after Katrina, animal shelters were so overwhelmed with animals, that they transported vast numbers to other shelters throughout the country. Some of these animals were family pets that had been lost during the hurricane, and owners had a tough time locating them when the storm was over," said Beth Drake, Anderson Animal Shelter's executive director.

Drake was deployed to assist with emergency rescue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and remembers well, the devastation.

"When we arrived five days after the hurricane, pets had been trapped in flooded homes for days, with no food or clean water to drink," she said. "Many of them were in bad shape by the time they were finally rescued. This storm is far larger and therefore far more devastating. Recovery will take years, and people will need help for a long time."

"We want to do what we can to assist the shelters closest to the disaster, by taking some of the homeless animals that were already in shelters when the hurricane hit. This will free up space for lost pets and temporary housing of pets while their families recover," Drake continued.

Anderson Animal Shelter is planning an adoption event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Petco, 702 S. Randall Road in Algonquin.

The shelter hopes to have some of the hurricane-displaced shelter animals available for adoption at this event.

The first group of approximately 30 dogs and cats will arrive Monday, Sept. 4. Those wishing to help can donate funds or supplies to Anderson Animal Shelter. Anderson is also looking for foster homes for the rescued dogs and cats.

Those interested in fostering can contact Lynne Smith at lsmith@andersonanimalshelter.org. More information is available online at www.andersonanimalshelter.org.

Anderson Animal Shelter collaborates with public and private organizations and individuals to shelter, care for and promote the adoption of homeless, stray and unwanted companion animals. The shelter is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and does not receive any federal or state funding. The shelter advocates for the compassionate and humane treatment of these animals through direct care, humane education and community outreach programs.

For more information on Anderson Animal Shelter, including adoption, volunteering, donation drives and membership opportunities, contact info@andersonanimalshelter.org or (847) 697-2880 or visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org.

The shelter is located at 1000 South La Fox Road, South Elgin, IL 60177.