SALEM, MA — Thirty dogs from a shelter in Alabama were set to arrive in Salem on Friday ahead of Hurricane Isaias making landfall along the Gulf Coast.
The MSPCA-Angell's Natural Disaster Relief program, in an effort with the Bissell Pet Foundation, took the dogs from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to open more shelter space there for animals that may become homeless following the storm.
"This is a multi-faceted operation ahead of the storm," explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. "Animals are being evacuated from shelters in the projected hurricane path and moving to Greater Birmingham, but they can't house those animals unless they move some of their own population out.
"That's where we come in."
The dogs were expected to arrive at Beverly Regional Airport on Friday afternoon, where MSPCA-Angell vans will meet them and bring them to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem.
The dogs range in age from roughly two months to 11 years old and include breed mixes of German shepherds, terriers, poodles, pit bulls, chihuahuas, huskies, and Labrador retrievers.
They were expected to be ready for adoption following their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after receiving any medical or behavioral care they may need.
"This is phase one of our response," Keiley said. "It's important to free up space prior to a storm, but impacted shelters may also need assistance after the hurricane moves out."
Keiley said that could include sending MSPCA-Angell staff to impacted areas or bringing up additional animals that were already in shelters to ensure local staff have resources to care for animals impacted by the storm.
"Our mission is to protect animals and relieve suffering, whether here in Massachusetts or elsewhere in the country, and we're grateful to have the resources to help in situations like this," he said. "We wouldn't be able to do so without support from the community."
Those who would like to donate to help support the recent arrivals and the MSPCA-Angell's Natural Disaster Relief program are asked to do so here.
"We're also always in need of adopters and fosters," Keiley added. "The more space we have in our shelters, the more animals we'll be able to help as hurricane season continues."
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