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More than 150 people, animals seeking shelter at Cape High

10 dogs, 7 cats and four birds
SPCA volunteers Colleen Gause and Brenna Gause help take care of Binny - one of seven cats brought to Cape High where special facilities have been arranged so people seeking shelter from Sandy can also bring their pets. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Dennis Forney
October 29, 2012
Among the volunteers helping at the Cape High shelter are, left to right, Angus MacLennan, Carol Lewis, Laura Unruh, Patricia Herrgott, Steve Thomas and Rick Peterson.  All are Red Cross volunteers except for Thomas who is a member of Americorps and the National Civilian Community Corps. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Bob Bender and his wife Doris - to the left - left their home on the shores of Indian River in Oak Orchard to escape rising waters there. "We're in a flood plain and we have flood insurance and high wind protection but we're not taking any chances," said Bob Bender.  George Canakis and his wife Wanda live in Quakertown in Lewes and they decided to come to the high school rather than taking their chances with what the hurricane might bring. BY DENNIS FORNEY
These are some of the kennel facilities that have been set up at Cape High to handle pets who come in with their owners. BY DENNIS FORNEY

Red Cross volunteer Penny MacLennan said more than 150 people and animals were taking shelter at Cape Henlopen High School as of 2 p.m. Monday afternoon.  Hurricane Sandy continued to bear down on the Delaware coast and MacLennan said she expected many more people to show up as the storm neared.

MacLennan said the high school, an official Red Cross shelter set up in cooperation with Delaware State Police and other state agencies, is stocked with food to supply three meals each day and snacks.  There are also blankets and cots lined up in the high school gymnasium with people sleeping and passing the time with games and books.  "When we run out of cots we have mats to place on the floor," said MacLennan.

Shelter manager for Red Cross, Rick Peterson, said eight Red Cross volunteers were signing people in and helping them.  He said they were also being assisted by Cape Henlopen High School cafeteria and custodial staff.  In addition, a medical unit from the Delaware Air National Guard is on hand.  "That allows me to accept medical patients we wouldn't be able to otherwise."  He said most of the people coming to Cape are from the Lewes, Frankford and Millsboro area.  "99 percent of them are from east of 113 and south of Route 9," said Peterson.  He said he was told that Indian River High School, another Red Cross shelter, had 225 people seeking shelter as of 2 p.m.

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