Anti-Cruelty in Chicago takes in dogs from shelters impacted by Hurricane Helene
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's Anti-Cruelty welcomed more than two dozen dogs from pet shelters in Florida Wednesday morning.
They were sent here as shelters in the sunshine state struggle to recover from Hurricane Helene.
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Twenty five dogs from Florida arrived at the Anti-Cruelty on North LaSalle Wednesday after Hurricane Helene.
Anti-Cruelty's president Darlene Duggan said she's hoping some generous residents will look into adopting one of these pups in need.
Man's best friend has a new home at the Anti-Cruelty in Chicago after a more than 1,000 mile drive from Pasco County, Florida days after Hurricane Helene made landfall.
"This is one of the reasons I love doing this job," Duggan said. "It is about the animals but it's just as much about the community as well."
RELATED: Helene death toll now at least 166 as Biden plans to visit ravaged Carolinas
Duggan says even before the monstrous category 4 storm made landfall Thursday night the nonprofit knew it would be taking in dogs from the Sunshine State to help open up shelter space in Florida.
"We're taking animals from their existing kennels and putting them up for adoption here so that that shelter in Florida can be available for whatever the community needs down there," Duggan said.
Duggan said the 25 dogs will be checked out by Anti-Cruelty's veterinary team and receive some much needed tender loving care...after a tiring cross country road trip.
For those looking for a way to lend a hand after the storm, "This is a perfect way for anybody whose heart goes out to that community, who's been inflicted or affected by the storm, this is a great way to help," Duggan said.
Once the dogs are checked out they will be placed up for adoption. You can check Anti-Cruelty's website for real-time updates on dogs that are ready to be taken home.
This effort comes as we are hearing from a member of the Illinois 'Swiftwater' Response Team helping with search and rescues in North Carolina.
Chuck Gros calls the damage from Helene some of the most devastating his team has ever seen.
"Being on a handful of deployments in the past, this has by far been the worst," Gros said. "Talking to the individuals that we've worked with day-to-day and the people that are here, they have expressed to us as well that this is the worst thing that they have ever seen in their whole life."
The Swiftwater teams say their biggest priority is locating people and getting them to safety.
They say it's heartbreaking seeing so many people isolated, without water, power access to limited food and sometimes without medications.
