BOSTON — In the wake of Hurricane Ian, local animal shelters of Massachusetts have stepped up, rescuing nearly 100 cats from Florida over the last few weeks, according to officials.
The MSPCA-Angell says they’ve taken in 91 total cats from Florida since news of the hurricane first hit.
On Wednesday, the shelter says they had vans on the ground at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to receive 9 dogs and 31 cats on a flight funded by the Bissel Pet Foundation.
“There’s a truism in animal welfare that rings especially relevant now: when people are in need, animals are in need,” MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs and Executive Director of NEAS Mike Keiley said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help the shelters, the animals and the people on the ground—and no doubt more animals, including dogs as well as cats, will likely be making their way to Massachusetts in the near future.”
Last week, the MSPCA-Angell took in an additional 29 cats, 3 of which have been adopted.
Officials say another 20 cats were transported from Florida to the MSPCA shelter in Cape Cod over the weekend and they’re expecting yet another dozen more cats, as well as some dogs, to arrive on Wednesday.
“The need in Florida is great right now,” Keiley said. ““We’re planning to have teams there until at least the beginning of next month. Shelters hit hard by the hurricane were already at capacity, and they’ve been inundated with more animals.”
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