LI Group Working To Save Animals Left Behind By Florence

SMITHTOWN, NY - The devastating storm that hit the south has forced many evacuating families to leave behind their pets.

Earlier this week, Hurricane Florence hit Wilmington, North Carolina and the surrounding areas, causing severe flooding and millions to evacuate.

Many people find it difficult enough to get themselves and their family evacuated when a hurricane is headed their way. Add to the stress that they may have pets and often times they simply have no idea what to do with them, opting to leave them behind.

However, the Smithtown-based Guardians of Rescue are doing their part to help. Members of the animal rescue group are working in the areas hit hard by the storm to help save the many animals that were left behind.

The rescue group is assisting the Pender County Humane Society, based in Burgaw, North Carolina. The city has been hard hit by the hurricane and is now completely cut off as all roads leading into it have been flooded.

"We’ve helped rescue animals in many hurricanes, but this one has to be one of the worst hurricanes to get access to the animals in need," Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue, said. "So many animals were left behind. We are getting calls about dogs left in kennels in backyards that are completely flooded, cats on rooftops, and horses in flooded fields etc."

Many animals have already been rescued with many more still waiting to be.

The rescue group has been getting many phone calls from people who have left behind animals or who have seen animals in dire situations in need of help.

Road closures all around the area are making it extremely challenging and dangerous to reach the animals in need, but the group continues on, making as many rescues as possible.

That is why the local group are still seeking financial assistance, volunteers, pet food, and medicine.

"What we are seeing out here is nothing short of heartbreaking," Misseri said. "We are doing everything we can to help these animals who are in desperate need of being rescued. We need the help of the public to provide the support that is needed to make this mission a success. It’s something we can’t do alone."

Guardians of Rescue is also working to raise a total of $80,000 to help with the animal rescue from Hurricane Florence. As of Tuesday, the group has raised over $13,000.

Click here to learn more or to donate.

Photos via Guardians of Rescue