3.5 Million Meals Donated to Pets Impacted by Hurricane Helene & Milton
Historic Hurricane Helene devastated several states at the end of September and then Hurricane Milton made landfall about a week later causing even more destruction.
Homes and animal shelters were flooded, damaged, and some completely destroyed. We asked for your help to feed shelter and displaced pets and you stepped up in a big way.
Greater Good Charities (GGC) has been on the ground delivering much-needed pet food and supplies to shelters and people in need. Thanks to your generous donations, 3.5 million meals have been donated to pets impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Thousands of people and pets lost their homes and everything they own. Your donations have not only helped feed and care for these people and their pets but you have kept them together.
Shelters and rescues opened their doors to displaced pets. The animals are safe and will be cared for until their families rebuild or find a new place to live.
Animal shelters and those impacted are beyond grateful for your support. Truckloads of nutritious pet food were delivered to the hardest hit areas. Read how your donations are making a difference.
SPCA Florida
SPCA Florida not only fed the animals in their care but handed out cat food to Polk No Kill/The Street Cat Project who cares for community cats. They told us, "After the storms, they received more calls for help feeding colony cats and trapping and altering community cats. They not only trap, but hold the cats overnight to ensure proper time to recover from surgery. They also help provide colony caretakers with food for their population."
Southern Comfort Animal Rescue (SoCo Rescue)
A heartbreaking story from a Georgia rescue that was contacted to help a man named Randall who had endured unimaginable heartbreak before and after the hurricanes. SoCo Rescue shared that your donations not only allowed Randall to feed his dogs that he was worried he would have to euthanize so they wouldn't suffer, but also his brother's rescue dogs.
Prior to the hurricane, Randall's brother who was an avid animal lover rescued several stray dogs. Sadly, his brother committed suicide and Randall vowed to find homes for all the dogs.
The hurricanes damaged Randall's home and left him unemployed. He was struggling to find food for all the dogs and reached out for help. SoCo Rescue and GGC came to the rescue.
Large bags of dog food were delivered to Randall so he can feed the dogs until they all find homes. This generosity has inspired Randall to join the SoCo Rescue team as their maintenance man and give back to those in need.
The rescue shared with us, "Randall has stated that the kindness shown to him has not only inspired him to becoming a help to others, it’s also helping him deal with the loss of his brother by giving his own life a greater purpose. Thank you to Kerri and the entire Greater Good Charities team for helping make this story have a much happier ending."
Paws, Hearts and Hands of Candler County
This Georgia rescue is making sure that both shelters and impacted pets have full bellies, thanks to pet food you donated.
They told us, "We have distributed 25,000+ pounds of pet food to pet owners and animal welfare groups in Candler County and 12 other hard-hit neighboring counties. Most recently, we focused on getting food out to individuals by holding two Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Pet Food Drive-Thru Events."
Cats In The Cradle New Life Sanctuary
TiggerTown, an animal rescue in Tennessee, shared donated cat food with Cats in the Cradle New Life Sanctuary to feed over 72 fostered cats. The rescue shared with us that many of the foster homes were damaged or without water. The founder of the sanctuary, Jammie, was hauling water to town to help and taking in lost and displaced cats.
She is heavily involved in local TNR and spay/neuter clinics. She transports pets to the clinic and saves cats from high-kill county shelters. She vets the cats and then send them north to be adopted. Her rescue was already strained prior to the hurricanes and desperately needed help.
According to TiggerTown, your donations, "allowed her to not only replenish the food lost in the floods her fosters sustained, but it has also allowed her the opportunity to increase her intake counts to help with all the displaced animals."
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
Dogs in South Carolina are devouring the nutritious pet food and send their thanks. You also helped fly dozens of homeless dogs and cats out of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue after the hurricanes to make room for displaced pets.
Asheville Humane Society
Truckloads of pet food and humanitarian supplies were delivered to Asheville Humane Society to care for pets and people. The staff have gone above and beyond for the animals in their care and the people in their community. There are so many who are benefiting from your generosity.
"The Asheville Humane Society isn’t just a shelter, it’s a community. It’s a broad effort dedicated to keeping people and their pets together. It’s ensuring no pet goes hungry or without the medical care they need. The hurricane has only emphasized the importance of our work in the greater community," the shelter posted. "Thank you to Greater Good Charities for providing us with the supplies (and emotional support!) We needed to make this happen. We are so grateful!"
The shelters and rescues can now focus their efforts on rebuilding thanks to your donations. We want to thank you for helping those in need.
While 3.5 million meals will go a long way in feeding hungry pets, more help is needed. GGC and The Animal Rescue Site are still sending aid to areas hit hard by the hurricanes and will continue to do so with your support. Donate now.
Andrea Powell is an animal enthusiast who resides in West Michigan. When not writing, she is exploring the great outdoors with her dogs and horses.