BUFFALO, N.Y. — The SPCA Serving Erie County stepped up to help those affected by the recent hurricanes.
Nearly 70 dogs and cats flew into Western New York on Thursday from shelters in Georgia in hopes of finding loving homes. The BISSELL Pet Foundation and Race For Life Rescue welcomed 42 dogs and 27 cats to be exact, into Cheektowaga at Signature Aviation.
Gina Lattuca is the Chief Communications Officer SPCA Serving Erie County. She said, "We are here for another exciting animal transport."
The BISSELL Pet Foundation, Race For Life Rescue, SPCA Serving Erie County, and other local groups helped safely bring the animals into Buffalo.
"So many groups work together to rescue. [They are] not just from our region, but from regions all over the country, especially after disasters like what we've been experiencing with the storms in the country," Lattuca said.
The animals are coming from Georgia, one state devastated by Hurricane Helene. They were already in a shelter environment down south, but many of those organizations needed to clear room in their shelters for animals that were displaced from the storms, Lattuca said.
The SPCA Serving Erie County is now working to make sure these animals find loving homes.
Lattuca said, "Once we know a little bit more about those animals that we're receiving, we'll be able to put them up for adoption and educate potential new adopters on the specific animals."
If you are interested in adopting an animal, Lattuca shared this advice: "[The first step] is to find out which organization accepted that particular animal. Then see how long it takes for that animal to be examined, determine how long it takes for the stress level to come down a little bit, and then see when that organization puts that animal up for adoption."
The SPCA Serving Erie County shared this Facebook post below with more pictures from Thursday's rescue effort in Cheektowaga.