HELP: Pets In Need After U.S. Tornado Outbreak

(EMERGENCY ANIMAL RESCUE) Early last week, a ferocious storm system tore through Central and Southern U.S., killing at least 38 people and destroying hundreds of homes across six states.

For three days, dozens of tornadoes and widespread flooding with hurricane force winds moved through parts of the Plains, Midwest, and South.

Arkansas and Mississippi were among the hardest hit states. Northwest Little Rock witnessed a massive EF-4 tornado, with winds up to 200 mph, that remained on the ground for 42 miles, causing heavy damage to Mayflower and Vilonia.

The deadly storm also spawned at least 14 tornadoes in Mississippi, including one EF-4 tornado that ravaged the city of Louisville in Winston County.

Oklahoma, Iowa, Alabama, and Tennessee were also severely impacted by the storms.

Amid tornado recovery and search and rescue efforts to ensure human safety, animal rescue operations are ongoing.

Several agencies are lending their services to help out however they can—whether by bringing in search dogs, providing food assistance and veterinary services for lost and/or injured animals, or reuniting families with their four-legged loved ones.

While many animals are being found with broken legs, lacerations, and other trauma, the Vilonia Animal Clinic has been caring for patients (claimed and unclaimed) free of charge.

The clinic is partnering with the Faulkner County Humane Society (HSFC), which will pay for the clinic’s services through donations—“so owners don’t even have to think about it,” according to Melanie Gentry, practice manager for the Vilonia Animal Clinic.

“I would say 95 percent of the people coming in the clinic with animals that need help have lost everything,” Gentry said. “It’s important for them to not have to worry about this.”

However, Vilonia Animal Clinic cannot physically take in animals unless admitted to hospital and authorized by HSFC.

Gentry also said several animals separated from their families in the tornado have been reunited at the clinic.

HSFC is mainly focusing on injured animals at this point, but board member Shirley Jarman said many lost pets should continue to emerge from hiding.

“We know when things like this happen, they usually hide for several days. We think we will see more coming out,” said Jarman.

After the storm struck Tupelo, Mississippi, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) rushed a disaster response team to assist the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society (TLHS).

According to IFAW, Donna Jarrell, TLHS Executive Director was with her team performing an emergency operation on a Boston terrier named Lulu at the time of the storm.

“As the tornado sirens went off, the team had a choice, head to the storm shelter or stay and finish Lulu’s operation. The thought of leaving her never crossed their minds, and armed with flashlights in case of a power-loss, they finished operating on her. Now, just a handful of days after the tornado, Lulu is back to her energetic and happy self, completely unfazed,” IFAW writes on its website.

Thanks to Jarrell and the TLHS’ commitment to saving our furry friends, another 184 or so survival stories have since transpired at the Humane Society.

Rescuers throughout multiple states are on site in disaster zones searching for missing pets and taking them to area locations where they can receive care and housing while they wait to be identified and reclaimed by their families.

Here at Global Animal, we believe that helping injured and displaced pets is a profound and direct way to support the people in the throws of a natural disaster. It’s not an either/or. All animal lovers can relate to what it would feel like to be reunited with a pet after a disaster.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: