GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – Flooding relief efforts in Georgetown County include rescuing lost and stranded pets, as October’s historic flooding displaced or separated pets from their owners.
“Residents were not able to get back and we had to go in,” said Shannon Walajtys, with the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition.
The organization is on the ground in Georgetown County, conducting animal water rescues, and helping animals affected by flooding.
“We were able to rescue several animals, both dogs and cats, and we brought them here to the temporary shelter,” said Walajtys.
The temporary shelter is at Beck Recreation Center, where they are also accepting some of the animals from St. Frances Animal Center.
Walajtys says Facebook helped them locate and connect many of the pets with their families, but some were strays in need of a family all their own.
“When the opportunity arises, when the animals have gone unclaimed, we can then place them up for adoption,” she said.
On Saturday, Kayla Hodge, picked out Kermit an unclaimed cat at the shelter, “because it was really cute.”
It was a special adoption for Kayla because it was her “Gotcha Day”, eight years ago to the day, she herself was adopted, “it’s a day where like, ‘you got me,'” said Hodge.
Her family wasn’t expecting to celebrate with a brand new kitten, but Kayla fell for Kermit, and they can now celebrate “Gotcha Day” together.
“Feed it, take it outside and play with it,” said Kayla in anticipation on Kermit’s first day home.
Walajtys says Georgetown County had about 100 storm related animal rescues, by local, state and national agencies.
If you live in the area and are missing your pet, you can find a link to pictures of rescued animals on the Georgetown County Emergency Operation Center’s Facebook page.
Volunteers and homes for animals in need of adoption are also needed. IFAW and RedRover are NARSC members assisting along with Dr. Sherri Duncan of Murrells Inlet Vet Hospital.
