“Things are fluid in Florida, so ARL has offered any help we can to make it easier for local shelters to absorb the influx of displaced owned and stray animals due to the storm,” DeFina said.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston is preparing to take in 10 dogs as soon as Thursday from parts of Florida that will be affected by the storm, spokesperson Mike DeFina said.
After Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States , animal rescue agencies in Massachusetts took in dozens of displaced dogs and cats. Now, they are preparing to offer more help as Hurricane Milton closes in on the west coast of Florida .
On Wednesday, Hurricane Milton churned through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida as steady rain fell and winds began to gust in the Tampa Bay area. The category 4 storm is expected to produce destructive surges, flooding rain, and ferocious winds.
With the help of a fellow nonprofit, Best Friends Animal Society, the animal league said it will rely on staff, volunteers, and donors to take in the displaced animals.
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“With limited resources and no government funding for this important work, donations are critical to providing shelter, medical care, and homes for these animals,” DeFina said.
MSPCA-Angell in Boston has taken in 83 dogs and cats from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida since Helene hit the South, said spokesperson Sara-Rose Brenner.
Helene unleashed catastrophic floodwaters and relentless winds across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia at the end of September. The Category 4 storm killed more than 200 people, knocked out electricity for millions, and left communities in ruins.
Brother Wolf’s facilities were destroyed by the hurricane Brother Wolf’s Facilities
In Salem, the Northeast Animal Shelter took in 10 dogs and 24 cats over the weekend from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in North Carolina, a shelter that was destroyed during Helene, MSCPA-Angell said Tuesday on X.
“Luckily, they were able to get their animals into foster homes, but now those animals need to move in order to find permanent homes, and we’re really grateful to be in a position to help with that,” said Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell’s vice president of animal protection.
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MSPCA-Angell is prepared to take in more animals as Hurricane Milton charges toward Florida, Brenner said. The organization is planning to send veterinary and community outreach staff to North Carolina on Friday for support, she said.
“Given everything that they’re dealing with, we want to help in any way possible,” Keiley said. “We’ll be ready to take in as many animals as we can, whenever they’re able to get here.”
Sabrina Lam can be reached at sabrina.lam@globe.com.