On Monday, a 36-foot trailer with 60 dogs took two loads of animals from a Mississippi town devastated by last week’s tornados north to be adopted.
The animals, most of whom were surrendered by families before the storms hit Lee County, will be placed for adoption in four shelters in Pennsylvania and another in New Jersey, thanks to the help of volunteers from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
"We're trying to make room for new adoptions so all these animals aren't euthanized," said Denise Bash, a volunteer from the Philadelphia area.
Since last week’s tornadoes hit, the influx of surrendered animals is almost overwhelming.
"We're seeing a lot of people who have had storm damage and surrendered their animals," said Donna Jarrell, executive director for the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.
And while some of the some of the animals brought to the shelter after the storm have claimed their pets, most remain.
In fact, the humane society has tracked about 150 cats and dogs brought to the shelter after the tornado, bringing the facility beyond capacity for taking care of animals waiting for adoption.
A second load of animals will travel this week to an animal rescue in New Jersey and one in Washington, D.C.
