ASPCA Provides Emergency Transport for 37 Shelter Cats Impacted by Severe Flooding in Florida Due to Hurricane Helene

FRANKLIN CO., Fla. –At the request of Franklin County Humane Society (FCHS), the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) assisted with the emergency transport of 37 shelter cats from FCHS in Eastpoint, Fla., after the shelter experienced flooding as a result of Hurricane Helene. The cats – all of whom were unowned and at FCHS prior to the hurricane’s catastrophic landfall – arrived in Sarasota, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 29. Shelter staff from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League (West Palm Beach) and Cat Depot (Sarasota) were on-site to receive the cats, and are now providing around-the-clock medical and behavioral care until the felines are made available for adoption in the coming weeks.

“During severe storms like Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial for animal welfare organizations to work together across disaster-impacted communities to continue meeting the needs of animals in shelters,” said Jasmine Holsinger, senior manager of animal placement for ASPCA Shelter Services. “This collaboration not only ensures the safety of these cats but also frees up vital resources at Franklin County Humane Society to help other local animals in need as a result of Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impacts. We're immensely grateful to our shelter partners for their unwavering dedication during what has proven to be an incredibly challenging time across the state of Florida, as their collaboration helps these cats have the best chance at finding loving homes.”

“Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League wasn't directly in the path of the storm, so we were able to provide emergency relief to shelters dramatically impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Sue Berry, CEO of Peggy Adams. “Our team was able to take in 16 cats with the help of the ASPCA. We are lucky to have the facility to care for these animals in need and happy to help our neighbors in a time of crisis.”

"Many communities surrounding our shelter have experienced devastating results following Hurricane Helene. Cat Depot thankfully came through unscathed allowing us to continue to be a resource for those affected," stated Claudia Harden, Cat Depot’s Director of Communications and Development. "We are beyond grateful we could assist with response efforts through our partnership with the ASPCA and are looking forward to following the 21 cats and kittens now in our care on their journeys to their forever homes."

This transport of over three dozen shelter cats is part of the ASPCA’s wider disaster relief support in Florida in response to Hurricane Helene. The ASPCA deploys nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering and placement of animals during disaster situations including severe weather, wildfires, tornadoes and floods. In addition, we work closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities.

The ASPCA is equally committed to saving lives and preventing animal homelessness through animal relocation. The ASPCA is the largest transporter of shelter dogs and cats for adoption in the U.S., partnering with shelters and rescues across 40 states to move more than 20,000 animals annually from shelters in areas of high homeless pet overpopulation to shelters where there is a higher demand for adoptable animals.

For more information on the ASPCA's efforts to help animals, please visit www.aspca.org.