Dozens of animals find shelter at Richmond SPCA after Helene devastates North Carolina

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond SPCA has taken in 30 cats and 12 dogs from North Carolina shelters damaged by Helene.

The evening of Tuesday, Oct. 1, a BISSELL Pet Foundation transport carrying 140 dogs and cats from the Yancey and Michell county animal shelters arrived at the Richmond SPCA.

“Both of them are experiencing no power, no water — and this is just an emergency effort to get these pets to a safe place [where] they can be comfortable and then ultimately find loving homes,” said Richmond SPCA assistant manager of admissions Nicole Harrig.

Harrig told 8News that the Yancey shelter in particular is experiencing incredible hardship.

“Their shelter director’s home is completely gone,” she said. “It’s been really impactful for their team.”

Many of these animals were taken to partner shelters, with said partner shelters coming together Tuesday night at the Richmond SPCA to coordinate that distribution. The Richmond SPCA previously announced it would serve as such a “hub” during this transfer.

In the end, 42 of the 140 animals remained with the Richmond SPCA — 30 cats and 12 dogs.

“A van of supplies actually went to North Carolina today in efforts of supporting the community down there,” Harrig said of what else Richmond SPCA is doing to aid shelters hurting after Helene. “But, [if people want to] support us, we definitely are looking for assistance with our pet pantry, which does help our community.”

Donations of things like dry dog and cat food, towels and similar items are always welcome — but, in the wake of this disaster relief transfer, the Richmond SPCA needs your help in another way.

“Any help [in] bringing adoptions into our building [helps] us bring more pets into our care — from disaster relief and the community in need,” Harrig said.

In the upcoming days, the shelter will go through the intake process for each animal.

When the animals are ready for adoption, they will be posted on its website with a blue heart next to their photo.

“Disaster relief is just an amazing effort,” Harrig said. “It gives a voice to those that can’t speak for themselves — and that’s just really important to me and our organization as a whole.”

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