Delaware Humane welcomes dogs saved from extreme Tennessee flooding
Delaware Humane Association had a particularly busy start to the week Aug. 30 as staff welcomed a transport of dogs from flood-ravaged central Tennessee.
DHA, a statewide animal welfare organization with adoption centers in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, was able to transport 14 dogs and puppies from Waverly, Tenn., a town hard hit by the flooding. Transport programs are just part of DHA’s work, but the stories of animals that travel thousands of miles to find safety and loving homes are always awe-inspiring.
The flooding that struck four counties in middle Tennessee was due to record rainfall, at times exceeding three inches per hour, and overflowing waterways that destroyed homes, cut off power and cellphone service, and washed away roads and bridges. Extreme weather like this not only endangers people’s lives, but also animals. Pets can sadly be an afterthought as people are struggling to survive in life-threatening situations.
The dogs saved, including several litters of puppies, came from Humphreys County Humane Society in Waverly and arrived safely at DHA’s Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Animal Care Center in Wilmington. They will spend a week or so recovering and receiving care from DHA’s dedicated veterinary staff before being made available for adoption.
“When tragedy occurs throughout the regions where we routinely identify and transport animals for rescue, our first line of thought is always, ‘What can we do to help?’” said Courtney Anderson, DHA director of animal welfare. “Every animal’s life we save through transports like this one means more space for the rescue and care of additional displaced animals in local shelters. We will continue to work closely with our transport partners to save as many animals as possible that are currently displaced or in harm’s way due to the extreme weather across the South.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Delaware Humane Association community, DHA is able to continue to rescue cats and dogs in danger of extreme weather, neglect, euthanasia and more by supporting their journey to finding a loving home.
For more information or to donate, go to delawarehumane.org/give.
