'Adopters Needed': More Hurricane Ian Rescue Pets Arrive In Salem

SALEM, MA — Nine dogs will join those that remain of the nearly 100 cats up for adoption in Salem after being rescued from Hurricane Ian-ravaged areas of Florida in recent weeks.

The Northeast Animal Shelter of Salem and MSPCA-Angell picked up 31 more cats and nine dogs at Bradley International Airport on Wednesday and took the to Salem where they will serve their 48-hour state-mandated quarantine.

"The need in Florida is great right now," said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs and NEAS Executive Director Mike Keiley. "We evacuated cats prior to the storm, and we'll continue to transport animals (to Massachusetts) for as long as we're able to, in order to open up critically needed space in the Florida shelters."

Keiley said staff workers were also sent to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help recovery efforts in Lee County.

"Our first team deployed to Florida this week," Keiley said. "We're planning to have teams there until at least the beginning of next month. Shelters hit hard by the hurricane were already at capacity, and they've been inundated with more animals.

"We're committed to doing everything we can to help them, and that includes sending people to help with on-the-ground operations, as well as taking animals to Massachusetts to help open up desperately needed shelter space."

Keiley said about one-third of the 91 cats brought to Massachusetts thus far have been adopted with dozens remaining available.

"We need more adopters to step up and give those animals, as well as the ones that come to Massachusetts today, the loving homes they deserve," he said.

Profiles of kittens and cats up for adoption in Salem can be found here.

The cats and dogs brought to Rhode Island, and then to Salem, on Wednesday will be assessed for any medical care they need after their quarantine, spayed or neutered, and then be available to find their forever homes.

The MSPCA is seeking donations for the ongoing cost of all the pets rescued from Florida in recent weeks. Those seeking to donate to their care can do so here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)