BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management (AIM) team continues to work closely with shelters in the hurricane impact zones to provide lifesaving solutions. Your generosity has enabled the safe transport of more than 1,000 adoptable pets from the affected areas, opening up critical shelter space for pets impacted by the storms.

The situation remains urgent as local shelters are overwhelmed, and space is limited. BPF’s transports play a crucial role in making room in local shelters for incoming unclaimed pets and pets who need a place to stay while their families get back on their feet. 

Key Efforts to Date:

• North Carolina: BPF evacuated nearly 600 shelter pets from Asheville Humane Society and shelters in Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford counties. All of these pets were available for adoption before the storm and have been transferred to shelter partners nationwide. BPF continues to work with Forsyth Humane Society in Winston-Salem, with more pets from western North Carolina transported this week.
• Georgia: BPF provided emergency transport for more than 170 pets from Valdosta Humane Society and Tift County Animal Shelter to our Ohio shelter partners, ensuring they receive the care they need. This week, we will be transporting another group of pets from the area to our New York shelter partners.  
• Tennessee: AIM was on the ground with staff at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville to assist with response efforts and coordinate transport for nearly 200 pets. Two flights and ground transport have left from this location.
• Florida: BPF evacuated pets from Pasco County prior to Helene’s landfall. Following Milton, BPF flew more than 
  110 pets from impacted Florida shelters to shelter partners in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin to create lifesaving space. BPF provided ground transport for pets from Furry Friends’ devastated Palm City facility to BPF partners in Kentucky.

On behalf of the impacted shelters, the pets who are now safe, and the entire BISSELL Pet Foundation team, thank you for your generous support of these massive response efforts. You made a lifesaving difference!