Hurricane Florence: Deserted Animals Facing Death
Pender County Animal Shelter warns it will euthanize animals that can't be rehomed
Emily Court
Shelters are overflowing with animals left behind
A North Carolina animal shelter has issued a warning that any companion animals not rehomed before Hurricane Florence will be euthanized.
With people leaving the state and their animals behind, no one is left to adopt them.
As a result, Pender County Animal Shelter is becoming increasingly crowded.
'Avoiding euthanasia'
The government-funded facility is under obligation to accept every animal surrendered to it - but is treating euthanasia as a last resort.
Shelter manager Jewel Horton told the Independent: "We are avoiding euthanasia at all costs.
"That's why we're begging for assistance."
'More important than things'
The local branch of the Humane Society is working to help the shelter create space and adopt out companion animals where possible.
President of the Burgaw, North Carolina branch, Julia Lamacchia said: "For us, animals are more important than things.
"Things can be replaced - anything can be replaced - but you can never replace a life, whether it's a person or an animal."
Animals saved
Putting her money where her mouth is, Lamacchia and her husband Kevin Raffee personally loaded a nine foot van with almost two dozen animals on Wednesday morning, as Hurricane Florence drew closer.
At the Pender County Animal Shelter, volunteer Samira Davis said they'd saved 30 to 50 animals.
She noted, though, that there are still many animals in need.
Emily Court is a passionate ethical vegan from Eastern Canada. She is a Challenge 22 Mentor, Digital Writer, and experienced animal advocate driven by issues of animal liberation and social justice. She studied at Dalhousie University, where her thesis highlighted intercultural and gender relations. She is an established public speaker, writer, and world traveller with a drive to provide a voice to those who might not otherwise have one. You can follow her on Instagram @emily.j.court or on Twitter @_EmilyJCourt_.