Oct 3, 2024 - News

Virginia shelters rescue 140 animals from Hurricane Helene flooding

Sabrina Moreno

two side by side pics on a gray background showing one dog smiling and another dog holding a toy in his mouth — Echo (left) and Ruby with Alyce Householter, who works at the Mitchell County Animal Rescue in North Carolina. Photo: Courtesy of the Richmond SPCA

Virginia animal shelters are helping rescue cats and dogs from flooded areas in western North Carolina.

The big picture: Earlier this week, the Richmond SPCA served as a hub for 140 animals — 50 dogs and 90 cats — evacuated from Yancey County Humane Society and other towns reeling from Hurricane Helene.

Parts of Yancey faced more than nine inches of rain last Thursday, per the North Carolina State Climate Office.

Zoom in: After Asheville-based Shelter Dog Transport Alliance drove the pups and kittens to RVA, they were placed with multiple animal rescues across Virginia.

Richmond took in 12 dogs and 30 cats, said Tabitha Treloar, the local SPCA's director of communications.

What's next: Treloar tells Axios they'll be available for adoption in about a week.

Go deeper: How to support western N.C. communities devastated by Helene

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Virginia shelters rescue 140 animals from Hurricane Helene flooding

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