Over 100 cats and dogs from Florence-area shelters were airlifted from Florence Regional Airport to Waukesha, Wisconsin on Wednesday.
The pets were moved from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue’s South Carolina campus, as well as nearby affiliate shelters, to make room for pets coming in from hard-hit areas in Florida and North Carolina.
Many shelters in Helene’s path have been without food and water, according to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue’s South Carolina Team Lead Stephanie Moore. She said others are overwhelmed, due to having to treat pets injured or abandoned during the storm.
The flight, coordinated by Greater Good Charities, aims to lighten the load of those shelters by temporarily relocating some of their pets to Florence.
“Without space, they have to make very difficult decisions,” Greater Good Charities’ Vice President of Pet Programs Erin Robbins said. “It’s the shelter pets that were there before the disaster hits that are the ones that have to be sacrificed, unfortunately, for space.”
Volunteers and staff from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue spent hours on Wednesday morning moving crates from vans to the tarmac, and then onto a charter plane.
While it was bittersweet for some to say goodbye to pets they have cared for, Moore said the work is worth it.
“Our staff is excited, they’re sad, they’re tired,” Moore said. “It’s been a very busy couple days getting all this together. But they’re excited and they’re ready to welcome new dogs.”
To help Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in their Helene rescue efforts, you can donate here.