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Last week, as devastating Hurricane Dorian barreled towards the southeastern states, Pets Alive, a no-kill animal rescue organization in Middletown, N.Y., worked around the clock to prepare for an intake of dogs from affected areas. Their effort was done in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, ASPCA, and Wings of Rescue, who coordinated a massive animal rescue operation by both land and air. These groups transported animals in shelters at high risk of being impacted by the storm and got them to safety ahead of the affects of Dorian.
Early Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, a team of four Pets Alive staff members left for the Brandywine Valley SPCA in Delaware and transported dogs back to their shelter in Middletown. Brandywine Valley SPCA is a staging area for animals coming in on the mass transports. The team got back to Pets Alive very late Wednesday evening with 10 dogs, now known as the “Dorian 10."
We’ve had a very busy summer, having taken in 546 cats, dogs and farm animals so far this year, and we are close to capacity,. But it was important that we help these dogs, so our team worked through a plan to make this happen.
Pets Alive anticipates some level of "vetting" will be required including vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchips and any medical attention needed. Three of the dogs have already tested for tick-borne diseases and one dog is particularly emaciated, requiring a special feeding plan so she gains weight at a healthy pace.
Our medical fund is already stretched and is dwindling as a result of a summer full of animal rescues. We anticipate this could be one of several emergency rescues we will be involved in as the storm season progresses. The community can help Pets Alive by making a monetary donation online by going to http://bit.ly/DorianDogs or mailing them a check to Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown, NY 10940. The community can order supplies from their Amazon wishlist at http://bit.ly/StormWishlist and have the item(s) shipped to Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown, NY 10940 or buy locally and drop off the items at the shelter.
For information on adopting one of the Dorian 10 dogs, contact adoptions@petsalive.org. The dogs will be available for adoption in one to two weeks.
Pets Alive also has hundreds of dogs, cats and farm animals available for immediate adoption found on their website at petsalive.org. Contact Pets Alive at info@petsalive.org or call them at 845-386-9738 for additional information about adoptions or volunteering for the organization.
Becky Tegze, Executive Director
Pets Alive
Middletown