(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Camden County Animal Shelter has committed to help animals from the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. As a network partner of Best Friends Animal Society and collaborating with local rescues, Camden County Animal Shelter anticipates its first transport of dogs early next week. Over the next few days, we are asking the community to adopt and/or foster pets from our shelter so we can make room for more animals in need from Texas.
New Jersey animal welfare rescues were the first to receive animals from the area affected by Hurricane Harvey. The recovery efforts will take years from the impact of this historic storm that dumped more than 50 inches of rain in Houston and the surrounding suburbs.
“Our hearts are with the families and pets of the Houston region and all of the affected areas,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Animal Shelter. “We are joining national, regional, and local animal rescues helping with the relief efforts for people and their pets. And now we are asking for the public help to set up and provide homes for these displaced animals.”
The emergency response efforts involve transporting animals available for adoption from shelters in Texas to New Jersey. Animal welfare agencies are in desperate need to clear shelters in the Houston area. This allows the shelters in surrounding cities including Houston to house owned and stray animals so they may be reunited with their families.
“We have been watching with compassion as the people in Texas rescue their pets from the flood waters with boats, shopping carts and even carrying them on their shoulders,” says Vicki Rowland, Executive Director of Camden County Animal Shelter. “We have the ability to help. By taking animals already in the overcrowded Texas shelters and finding new homes in New Jersey we are creating space for families in Texas to find and keep their pets with them.” Visit www.ccasnj.org to view pets available for adoption and for updates on Texas pet rescue.