KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Animals from a shelter in southern Louisiana were brought to Kansas City by Wayside Waifs’ Animal Rescue and Response Team Thursday morning.
These animals were available for adoption before Hurricane Harvey made landfall. The ASPCA asked Wayside Waifs to take them in to make room for animals that will be displaced in the storm – that way it’s easier for their owners to reunite with their pets.
The president of the organization and a volunteer drove more than 25 hours in heavy rain to get there.
“When they got down there it was raining. They got there right before it was ramping up in Louisiana - we were able to get in and out very safely,” Trish Stinger, digital marketing and brand manager of Wayside Waifs, said.
They brought back 44 pets including dogs, cats and one bunny which will soon be available for adoption – potentially as early as this weekend.
The Wayside Waifs Animal Rescue and Response Team is composed of 12 FEMA-certified members. The shelter said they will likely head to temporary shelters in the south as they need assistance.
Wayside Waifs also said it is calling this week Wet Nose Week, meaning they are encouraging people to adopt dogs so the rescue team can make more trips to help southern shelters.
