UPDATE 9/19/18:

At the request of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the ASPCA is on the ground supporting local agencies with emergency sheltering of approximately 150 animals displaced by severe flooding caused by Hurricane Florence in Lumberton, North Carolina, and we are assisting with animal search-and-rescue efforts in Robeson County. 

We have also assisted in evacuating homeless animals from shelters impacted by the hurricane and placed them with animal welfare groups outside of the impacted communities where they can be made available for adoption. 

The ASPCA’s disaster response efforts have been made possible thanks to the Lewyt Rescue Fund, which was generously established by the Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust to support the ASPCA’s anti-cruelty and disaster response efforts.

“When a storm like Hurricane Florence hits, owned pets and shelter animals can be in as much danger as residents,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. “We’re proud to help the North Carolina Department of Agriculture save lives, provide critical assistance to shelters, and reunite lost pets with their owners as the area recovers from this disaster.”

More than a dozen ASPCA responders remain on the ground to fulfill additional requests from local emergency management agencies as the response to Hurricane Florence continues. 

September 14, 2018, 9:30 PM ET

As tropical storm Florence bears down on the Carolinas, tens of thousands of residents, their pets, and homeless animals have been displaced or are in danger. Sadly, the storm has already claimed lives. The days and weeks ahead will require critical response as conditions develop and the damage is assessed.

The ASPCA has deployed responders with rescue boats, trucks and supplies to the area, ready to assist animals and impacted communities. We are preparing efforts for water rescue and assistance with animal evacuations in the places where animals may need our help most.

Last year alone, the ASPCA responded to six disasters including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the wildfires in California, assisting more than 37,000 animals through pre-evacuation, field rescue, and post-disaster relief efforts. Now, we are mobilizing to assist animals in harm’s way again.

We remain in close communications with emergency management agencies in the Carolinas, as preparations for our disaster response efforts are underway. We are grateful to our friends and supporters who continue to help provide a lifeline to animals in need across the country.