Latest Update: October 25, 2017, 5:04 PM ET

We’ve joined forces with Wings of Rescue to transport 51 homeless cats and dogs displaced by Hurricane Maria to animal shelters throughout Florida where they will be made available for adoption. The three destination shelters in Florida are Humane Society of Broward County, Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, and Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.

The animals have been cared for at an ASPCA emergency shelter on St. Croix for over a month and will be airlifted by Wings of Rescue on October 26. The ASPCA and Wings of Rescue have worked to help relocate shelter animals affected by the series of hurricanes and wildfires that destroyed many homes and shelters, leaving many animals displaced and homeless.

“The ASPCA’s disaster response team in St. Croix is working tirelessly to care for displaced animals at our emergency shelter, and we’re pleased to partner with Wings of Rescue to relocate homeless animals to safety,” said Jessica Rushin, Partnerships Senior Manager for ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “The ASPCA has deployed more than 300 responders this year to assist communities impacted by hurricanes and wildfires throughout the U.S. and the Virgin Islands, and our collaborative efforts with partners like Wings of Rescue allow us to find safe and loving homes for homeless animals impacted by Hurricane Maria.”

To date, more than 100 animals have received care at the ASPCA emergency shelter, and approximately 8,000 animals impacted by Hurricane Maria have been assisted by the ASPCA through the distribution of pet supplies.

Latest Update: October 19, 2017, 3:48 PM ET

Working at the request of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the ASPCA continues our ongoing disaster response work in St. Croix by conducting field rescues and managing an emergency shelter to provide critical care for more than 100 animals displaced by Hurricane Maria. 

The life-threatening Category 5 storm that plummeted the U.S. Virgin Islands in September put thousands of people and animals at risk and severely damaged St. Croix’s largest animal shelter. More than 20 ASPCA responders have been working around the clock on the ravaged island to rescue companion animals including cats, dogs and horses in the field, and veterinary experts are providing much-needed medical support for displaced and homeless animals. The ASPCA is also distributing critical pet supplies to pet owners on the island and will be relocating homeless animals to the States and placing them with rescue groups and animal shelters where they can be made available for adoption. 

“Many of the animals in St. Croix that were in the path of Hurricane Maria require veterinary attention and daily care to prepare them for the next chapter of their lives,” said Tim Rickey, Vice President of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response. “The ASPCA’s disaster response team is working tirelessly to support pet owners in need while rescuing and providing essential care for displaced homeless animals until they can be transported off the island and placed into loving homes.” 

The ASPCA has worked closely with the Petco Foundation who donated much-needed pet supplies for animals impacted by the storm and Wings of Rescue who provided transportation of critical resources to St. Croix. To date, more than 6,000 animals impacted by Hurricane Maria have been assisted by the ASPCA through the distribution of pet supplies.

Our life-saving efforts depend on the support of animal-lovers across the country. Please give today, and 100% of your donation will go toward the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Fund, to support all of our efforts for animals in disaster and cruelty situations.

Latest Update: October 10, 2017, 05:00 PM ET

At the request of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the ASPCA is establishing an emergency shelter in St. Croix to provide much-needed housing and care for hundreds of animals displaced by Hurricane Maria.

Since late September, our responders have been on the ground assessing the needs of animals impacted by the storm. We’ve mobilized small and large animal search-and-rescue operations and deployed sheltering teams, while providing critical supplies for owned pets and shelter animals. The ASPCA is also coordinating and overseeing veterinary response efforts for displaced animals on the island. 

“Hurricane Maria threatened the lives of thousands of animals across the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it’s going to take dedication and a lot of hard work to help St. Croix get back on its feet,” said Tim Rickey, Vice President of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response. “As we work to establish an emergency shelter, the ASPCA is also shipping essential supplies to the island and is committed to doing everything we can to support the community and provide life-saving care for animals in need.”

In the past month alone, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team has assisted more than 18,000 animals in communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. We thank all of our members, partners and supporters who have helped us come to the aid of animals in peril.

September 27, 2017, 10:15 AM ET

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the ASPCA has deployed its disaster response team to help assess needs for animals impacted by Hurricane Maria in St. Croix, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands devastated by the catastrophic Category 5 storm. This comes on the heels of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, where our team has spent the last month deployed to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. 

Hurricane Maria pummeled St. Croix—home to approximately 50,000 residents, comprising roughly half of the U.S. Virgin Islands population—just days after the island was hit by Hurricane Irma, which left a trail of destruction on several Caribbean islands. 

“Hurricane season is in full force, and we’ve assisted thousands of displaced animals in communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and now we’re focusing on helping communities demolished by Maria,” said Tim Rickey, Vice President of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response. “The ASPCA is committed to supporting FEMA and providing much-needed resources and support to help animals and pet owners on the island of St. Croix as people work to get back on their feet.” 

In addition to sending a team of responders, the ASPCA has provided three 53-foot trailers filled with pet supplies including food, wire crates, and other essential items for FEMA to send to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the next few days. 

In the past month alone, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team has assisted more than 13,000 animals in communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas, Florida, and South Carolina. Our work in the Caribbean has only just begun, and support is urgently needed. 

Please give today to help our life-saving work. 100% of your donation will go toward the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Fund, to support all of our efforts for animals in disaster and cruelty situations.