BOSTON and Salem Mass., Oct. 12, 2022 – The MSPCA-Angell and Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS) have rescued nearly 100 cats impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida over the past few weeks, and now the two organizations are joining together to rescue more pets. Today [October 12], they had vans on the ground at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to receive 31 cats and 9 dogs on a flight funded by the Bissell Pet Foundation. The animals were immediately brought to NEAS in Salem to serve out their 48-hour state-mandated quarantine.
“The need in Florida is great right now,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs and NEAS Executive Director Mike Keiley. “We evacuated cats prior to the storm, and we’ll continue to transport animals [to Massachusetts] for as long as we’re able to, in order to open up critically needed space in the Florida shelters.”
In addition to taking in animals impacted by the hurricane, the two organizations are also sending staffers to help the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) with recovery efforts on the ground in Lee County.
“Our first team deployed to Florida this week,” Keiley explained. “We’re planning to have teams there until at least the beginning of next month. Shelters hit hard by the hurricane were already at capacity, and they’ve been inundated with more animals. We’re committed to doing everything we can to help them, and that includes sending people to help with on the ground operations, as well as taking animals to Massachusetts to help open up desperately needed shelter space.”
Adopters Needed!
Prior to today’s transport, the organizations had already taken in 91 cats from Florida since late last month, beginning with the evacuation of cats September 27, prior to when Hurricane Ian made landfall.
“About a third of the Florida cats in our care have been adopted so far,” Keiley said. “But we need more adopters to step up and give those animals, as well as the ones that came to Massachusetts today, the loving homes they deserve.”
The majority of the cats transported over the past couple weeks are available for adoption. Interested adopters may learn more about them and apply to adopt at neas.org/adopt. The dogs and cats transported today will be available after their quarantine and after they receive any medical care they need, including spaying and neutering.
The MSPCA is seeking donations to help offset the cost of caring for all the animals rescued from Florida. Those able to donate are asked to do so at www.mspca.org/ian.
