ASPCA Called to North Carolina to Help Animal Victims of Hurricane Matthew

Lumberton, N.C.—At the request of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) deployed members of its disaster response team to assist in animal rescue and sheltering needs in Lumberton, N.C., devastated by massive flooding due to Hurricane Matthew. Since last week, the ASPCA has assisted nearly 950 animals through pre-evacuation, field rescue, transport and sheltering needs in Georgia and South Carolina.

“Local officials estimate hundreds of animals may be affected in Lumberton at this point, and we will assist them with sheltering displaced animals in the community and animal rescue requests,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “For many, pets are members of the family, and we will do everything we can and continue to go out into the field to search for lost pets and hopefully reunite them with their owners.”

Forecasters warned that waters were still on the rise in some areas of Robeson County, and the ASPCA anticipates requests for assistance to increase. Nearly 25 deaths have been reported in the U.S. due to the deadly Category 4 storm as it made its way up the East Coast after killing hundreds in Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team frequently responds to natural disasters including the recent Louisiana flooding and the Northern California wildfire. In addition, they are called on by state and municipal governments and other animal welfare partners to lend expertise during large-scale animal rescue operations.