Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction that didn't just affect people but also thousands of animals.

From North Carolina to Florida, shelters are overwhelmed, infrastructure is destroyed, and the need for resources is dire. As communities begin to rebuild, animal rescue organizations have stepped in to provide critical support.

Animal Shelters Struggle Amid Widespread Destruction

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many animal shelters across the Southeast have faced unimaginable challenges. In North Carolina, shelters were particularly hard-hit. Organizations like the Asheville-based Brother Wolf Animal Rescue saw their facilities completely destroyed by rising floodwaters.

The shelter's executive director, Leah Craig Chumbley, told Animals 24-7 that had it not been for the quick evacuation of animals, the tragedy could have been much worse.

“If we hadn’t gotten those animals out the day before, hours before that storm hit, all of our animals would have perished in that building,” she said.

In response, 50 of Brother Wolf’s animals were transported to the Humane Society of Charlotte, which is now housing these displaced pets while Brother Wolf regroups. Meanwhile, in other areas, shelters that remained intact but were inundated with water and without power scrambled to maintain even basic operations.

Transporting Animals to Safety

Efforts to rescue animals from flood-ravaged shelters have been extensive. Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, based in the Washington D.C. area, took in over 90 dogs and cats from North Carolina shelters affected by the storm.

Sue Bell, the organization’s executive director, noted that these animals had been living without electricity or running water for days. “It felt really, really good because we cleared out two entire shelters,” she told Homeward Trails.

These rescues were not easy, with volunteers working late into the night to settle the animals into temporary homes.

In Tennessee, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been transporting animals from affected shelters to its care and rehabilitation centers. This helps free up space in local shelters for pets that may be displaced or separated from their families as a result of the storm. According to HSUS, over 40 adoptable animals have been relocated from Cocke County and Unicoi County shelters, where loss of power and severe flooding made conditions untenable.

On-the-Ground Rescue Efforts Continue

With hundreds of thousands of people and pets still without power and clean water in places like North Carolina, rescue teams continue to work tirelessly. The North Carolina National Guard has deployed alongside search-and-rescue teams from other states, rescuing not just people but also pets left behind in the chaos. According to the NCNG over 500 people and 64 animals have been saved, with efforts ongoing as roads and bridges remain impassable.

In Florida, which was also hit hard by Hurricane Helene, the situation is similarly dire. As the Humane Society reports, pop-up veterinary clinics have been established in areas like Taylor County, where local services were severely disrupted. These clinics are providing critical care to animals, including treatment for injuries sustained during the storm. Local animal rescue groups, such as the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, have also set up distribution points for food and supplies, helping to keep pets fed in the storm's aftermath.

How the Public Can Help

The need for help is overwhelming. While shelters are doing everything they can to care for displaced animals, they are running low on supplies. Organizations across the region are asking for donations of pet food, crates, and blankets to help care for the influx of animals, WBTV reports.

Fostering is another critical way to help. By fostering a pet, individuals free up space in shelters, allowing more animals to be rescued. As Leah Chumbley of Brother Wolf explained, “You are not only saving the life of the animal you are taking in, but you are also saving the life of another by allowing more space in the shelters.”

In this time of crisis, the work of animal shelters and rescue organizations has become a lifeline for pets in need. But they can’t do it alone. As the recovery from Hurricane Helene continues, the support of communities and individuals will be key in ensuring that every animal gets the care and protection they need.

Click below and pledge to support the work of animal shelters impacted by Hurricane Helene!