While Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered residents of some coastal Georgia counties to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Dorian, the Atlanta Humane Society is busy rescuing pets who might otherwise be stuck in the storm's path.
Nearly 50 dogs and cats from shelters in central Florida arrived at the Atlanta Humane Society over the weekend. Some have medical issues and will be treated.
The pets brought up from Florida will be available for adoption once they've been checked out medically.
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The Humane Society also is helping cats and dogs in coastal Georgia evacuate with their humans. A team from the Humane Society is at the Savannah Civic Center today, where residents are headed by bus to an emergency shelter in Augusta. Their pets will follow along in Humane Society vehicles. Once the two and four-legged passengers all arrive, residents will be reunited with their furry friends to wait out the storm together.
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The Atlanta Humane Society regularly helps to relocate shelter pets ahead of dangerous storms. The organization’s Disaster Response Team works with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other designated disaster relief agencies to bring animals out of harm’s way when threatening weather looms.
Last year, for example, the Humane Society relocated pets from the Albany area after Hurricane Michael pounded south Georgia. The organization also helped pets in the path of Hurricane Florence find new homes here.
In related news, the Good Mews Animal Foundation is just back from a trip to the coast with dozens of rescued cats. Here are details:
Dorian is one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record. The slow-moving monster has devastated the Bahamas.
Kemp has declared a state of emergency in 12 coastal counties, and I-16 has become a one-way evacuation route. Although some residents in the mandatory evacuation zone have opted to ride it out, Kemp is urging action: "I would not take any chances with this one."
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