ASPCA Responders Provide Relief for Shelter Animals in Pikeville, Ky.

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), at the request of the Pike County Animal Shelter in Pikeville, Ky., has dispatched its field investigations and response team to assist in the emergency transport and placement of nearly 100 animals living in the municipal shelter. The animals will be permanently relocated to various shelters in nearby states and allow the Pike County Animal Shelter the capacity to accept displaced animals by the recent flooding.

ASPCA responders arrived Thursday morning to organize the large-scale transfer of the dogs and cats currently housed at the Pike County Animal Shelter. The ASPCA is working with several organizations in its Shelter Response Partnership program to relocate all the animals and place them in permanent homes.

“Pets have been displaced just as people have,” said Brandon Roberts of the Pike County Judge Executive's Office. “The Pike County Animal Shelter now has room to accept pets from owners who were forced to evacuate their homes, and will keep them here until they are claimed.” Residents wishing to contact the shelter may call (606) 437-7992, or visit in person at 162 Honeysuckle Lane, Pikeville, 41501.

The animals will be transferred in the ASPCA's custom-built animal transport trailer, with assistance from the local shelter staff and volunteers on the scene. Other organizations that quickly stepped forward to support the ASPCA’s relief efforts include: Capital Area Humane Society in Columbus, Ohio; Humane Society of Berks County in Reading, Pa.; Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association in Ledgewood, N.J.; Elk County Humane Society in St. Mary’s, Pa.; and Nashville Humane Association in Nashville, Tenn. In addition, the ASPCA will transport several animals—including 16 kittens—to its Adoption Center in New York City.

“Staff and volunteers from the local shelter have been working tirelessly to prepare for an influx of displaced animals and helping our team manage the large-scale transfer,” said Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Field Operations. “These animals are friendly and appear to be healthy, so we’re confident they will be adopted quickly once they’re relocated to the other shelters.”

Kyle Held, the ASPCA’s Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response, added, “By transferring these animals to various shelters we will help ease the overflow of animals in the community. Our team has the capability of responding to emergency situations across the country, and we will continue to provide supplies and support animals in Pike County as long as we’re needed.”