Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - After losing their homes to Hurricane Helene last month, dozens of dogs and cats are looking for a fresh start in Western New York.
The BISSELL Pet Foundation's Animal Incident Management (AIM) team led a rescue mission in coordination with multiple local rescue groups. They also funded the transport of 37 dogs and 25 cats via flight from Georgia shelters. All of the pets were available for adoption prior to the hurricane.
Chief Communications Officer of SPCA Serving Erie County, Gina Lattuca praises BISSEL for recusing these animals, and says they spend millions of dollars every year rescuing animals.
"They are very set on helping animals throughout the country, especially after disasters like this. BISSELL Pet Foundation contacted the SPCA about two weeks ago asking if we could accept animals. At that point, we were at capacity. We had to say, no. We featured an animal adoption special, four days of animal adoption discounts. This community backed it up," Lattuca stated. "69 animals were adopted in four days. Because of that, we were able to clear room and we were able to say yes to this transport."
The SPCA Serving Erie County will be receiving eight dogs and five cats, which will be available for adoption at 300 Harlem Road in West Seneca.
Lattuca says they don't know much about the animals or their backstory, however, most of that will be determined once they arrive at the SPCA.
"We'll see what the animals have been exposed to. What kind of assessment happened for these animals. Do we know, for instance, if any of these drugs are not good with cats? Do we know if these dogs are good around other dogs? Once we know a little bit more about those animals that we're receiving, we'll be able to put them up for adoption and educate potential new adapters on the specific animals," Lattuca stated.