18 Mississippi Rescue Dogs Flown To Salem Ahead Of Massive Winter Storm

MASSACHUSETTS — Eighteen rescue dogs were flown from a Mississippi shelter to Worcester Regional Airport, from where they will then be taken to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem for adoption, as part of the MSPCA-Angell's efforts to alleviate what is expected to be a shelter crush amid the massive winter storm hammering the eastern half of the country this weekend.

"The ASPCA reached out to us when the trajectory of the storm became clearer because it was apparent that many of our regular transport partners were in areas expected to get hit hard," said Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division Mike Keiley. "One of those partners is Oktibbeha, which was desperate to clear kennel space so they’d be in a better spot to help animals impacted by the storm.

"When these kinds of events happen, shelters often need space for owned pets that get lost or need temporary housing because their homes are damaged or without power. That's why it's important to help not just after a natural disaster, but before, and we're grateful to be in a position to do so."

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Massachusetts-based Second Chance Animal Services and Animal Rescue League of Boston were also set to take in animals from the Friday transport.

"Given how many areas (the storm) is supposed to hit, we know that a lot of animals will be impacted," Kieley said. "That being the case, it's vitally important that any organizations able to help step up, which is what we're doing — not just now, but also following the storm."

MSPCA-Angell said the dogs headed to Salem range from 3-month-old puppies to 3 years old, and include mixes of Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, poodles and Great Pyrenees.

Following their arrival, the dogs will serve out their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and be assessed for any medical or behavioral treatment they may need prior to adoption.

Kieley said further transports from Mississippi and other areas affected during the storm may be forthcoming.

"Those areas aren't as well-equipped to handle winter storms as we are in New England," he elaborated. "In the past, we've seen even a few inches of snow impact travel and power grids, among other things, and humane organizations aren’t immune to that.

"There are major concerns for the safety of animals in this weather — those in shelters, those that are free-roaming, and those in homes that may be impacted — which is why we're ready to help now and following the storm."