Happy Louisiana homeless dogs relocated to North Texas in advance of Hurricane Sally
Sage seemed happy to land in North Texas on Monday.
And he had good reason because his other option was to face slow-moving Hurricane Sally in Louisiana. Hurricane Sally — with winds of 85 mph — crept toward the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday as forecasters warned of potentially deadly storm surges and flash floods with the heaviest downpours dumping nearly 2 feet of rain.
Hurricane warnings stretched from east of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Navarre, Florida, and forecasters said Sally should reach land near the Alabama-Mississippi state line by late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
And Sage wasn’t alone in his joy. There were Jojo, Peanut, Sammy, Flora, Sade, Hades, Sandy Lou, Goldie and others.
In all, 46 homeless dogs from Louisiana — mostly from the New Orleans area — arrived Monday in North Texas by plane as part of rescue efforts by Wings of Rescue, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“The ASPCA is grateful to be in a position where we can sponsor this lifesaving flight and partner with shelters including the Humane Society of North Texas that are opening their doors for homeless animals in need,” said Karen Walsh, director of ASPCA animal relocation, in a news release.
Fifteen staff members from Humane Society of North Texas and a flight crew received the dogs to keep the shelter animals safe and out of Hurricane Sally’s path.
Nine of the dogs tested positive for heartworm, but HSNT officials will be treating the dogs.
“They’re sweet and loving — with tails wagging, said HSNT spokeswoman Cassie Davidson in a news release. “They’ll all be available for adoption soon, once our veterinarian has reevaluated all of these pooches. Right now they’re all setting into their temporary runs, with lots of blankets, food, water, treats and toys.”
The Monday transport was part of continued collaboration between the ASPCA and Wings of Rescue to move nearly 300 animals impacted by Hurricane Laura or in the path of Hurricane Sally to shelters across the country such as in Texas, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine, Delaware and Alabama.
“The Humane Society of North Texas will continue to assist neighboring states in need when catastrophes occur putting the lives of numerous pets at ricks,” Davidson said.
Sally’s arrival comes just weeks after Hurricane Laura hit southwest Louisiana including the Lake Charles area.
“Wings of Rescue would to thank Louisiana shelter workers — many of whom had their own personal lives impacted by Hurricane Laura’s devastation and are now preparing for a second storm — for banding together to care for and save these highly deserving pets,” said Ric Browde, Wings of Rescue president and CEO, in a news release.
For more information on when the dogs will be made available for adoption visit hsnt.org or call 817-332-4768.
