ASPCA and Arkansas Agriculture Department Encourage Pet Owners to Reclaim Animals at Emergency Shelter in Conway

Faulkner County, Ark.—The Arkansas Agriculture Department, Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management, and the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) are strongly encouraging pet owners in Faulkner County to reclaim their pets being cared for at the emergency shelter in Conway by Tuesday, June 18th. Animals can be picked up at the shelter, which is located at 10 Lower Ridge Rd, every day between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pet owners are asked to contact the ASPCA at 1-800-738-9437 to confirm when they can pick up their pets.

While many animals have already been reunited with their owners, more than 60 displaced pets remain at the shelter. Local residents who are able to open their homes to temporarily foster owned animals are asked to please contact the ASPCA (1-800-738-9437).

“Thankfully some families who were impacted by the flooding and evacuated are able to begin reentering their homes and can reclaim their pets, but some residents whose houses were severely damaged may need more time to get back on their feet,” said Dick Green, senior director of ASPCA Disaster Response. “The animals at the emergency shelter are well cared for, but there’s nothing better for a pet than being in a safe home – even a foster home. We’re asking community members who are in a position to open their homes to temporarily care for displaced pets until they can be reunited with their families to please contact the ASPCA.”

The ASPCA has been on the ground in Faulkner County at the request of the Arkansas Agriculture Department to assist the Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management and Faulkner County Animal Response Team with the sheltering of animals displaced by the historic flooding impacting the central U.S. The ASPCA is also helping reunite families with their pets.

The ASPCA deploys its Field Investigations & Response team nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering, and reunification efforts during disaster situations including wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. In addition, they work closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. In 2018, the ASPCA assisted more than 9,000 animals in communities impacted by disasters including Hurricanes Florence and Michael and the California wildfires. For tips on how to prepare your pet for a disaster situation, visit aspca.org/disasterprep.