In the midst of the terrible and tragic news about Tropical Storm Ian, Edgewater received a heartwarming story featuring the rescue of neighborhood dogs.
Volusia County Animal Services teamed up with the Southeast Volusia Humane Society and the Halifax Humane Society to rescue 71 cats from the Edgewater Animal Shelter, Mango Tree Drive, on Thursday evening.
Adam Leath, Director of Volusia County Animal Services stated that the division was in touch with Edgewater shelter and other county shelters to monitor its situation.
They also mentioned the rising water level in a nearby retention pool. They weren’t prepared for the pond to overflow three hours later, splashing over their front door and endangering the lives of the animals.
Rescue Operation
“We mobilized a team very quickly,” Leath said. “We had four large vehicles, as well as a box truck, and the staff to accompany them to rush immediately, remove and then safeguard, and provide safe housing for all of the animals that were removed.
“Nothing can be closer to the tip of the spear for animal welfare, for Volusia, than it was last night,” Leath said. “Seeing those pets in peril, seeing those shelter volunteers employees, who had done nothing but provide excellent care for these pets, suddenly found themselves in quite a dangerous situation.”
The division is “prepared” and “trained” for this eventuality, according to Leath, who noted that getting to the refuge over flooded roads, especially at nightfall, was the toughest obstacle.
“But when the moment happens, there is a huge flux of adrenaline,” Leath said. “We’re all quickly trained to get the resources — people were in the right place at the right time.”
He added: “To be able to see those pets bed down for the night, to able to get the resources that they need and know that they are on the road to recovery, there is nothing better.”
The canines went to the Halifax Humane Society’s Ormond Beach branch, while the cats went to the Southeast Volusia Humane Society in New Smyrna Beach.
Many animals are available for adoption. These animals can be adopted by residents who call the Southeast Volusia Humane Society on 386-428-9960 or the Halifax Humane Society on 386-274-44703 respectively.
Some pets are left behind
According to Leath some people have decided to leave their pets home.
“Pets are priority here for Volusia,” Leath said. “I can’t imagine what it might be like for someone who is facing the decision to leave without their pets. We don’t want to see that happen. Unfortunately, those who make that decision are not our friends.
Leath advised locals that they should contact animal services if there are any pets being abandoned or neglected by their neighbors.
“All of these things we can help with,” he said. “Provide resources, help shelter those pets in place, and that can be coordinated directly with our citizen information center.”
SOURCE: Yahoo! News
