Derry Township animal shelter takes in hurricane dogs, cats

Dozens of dogs in the path of Hurricane Dorian have found temporary homes in Westmoreland County.

Action for Animals Humane Society in Derry Township took in 17 dogs, four puppies and six cats this week from a shelter in South Carolina. The Route 217 shelter is getting 21 more dogs Saturday from a organization in West Virginia, said Action for Animals director and manager LuAnn Hutcheson.

“They needed us,” she said. “They needed a place to go, they needed a place to fall. That’s why we’re here.”

Hurricane Dorian came ashore Friday in North Carolina after sideswiping most of the Southeast seaboard from Florida to the Carolinas in recent days. The storm battered the Bahamas with 185 mph winds, according to the Associated Press.

The 17 South Carolina dogs will be available for adoption Tuesday, Hutcheson said. The shelter received them early Thursday from All 4Paws Rescue on Pawleys Island and they’ve been checked out by veterinarians. Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team assisted with the transport.

“These are now ours, and we will place these ones up here,” she said. “We’ve been really lucky with this group.”

The dogs from West Virginia are being moved here to make room for more animals in need as the storm continues, she said. They will be available for adoption later.

Action for Animals has taken in dogs in past hurricane situations, including during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hutcheson stressed the importance of adoption to make room for other animals she believes will be on their way north to escape the hurricane and its after effects.

“We’re not done,” she said.

The shelter is accepting monetary donations for the daily cost of caring for the relocated animals and other items, including Purina Dog Chow. A wish list is available on the shelter’s website at afashelter.org/other-ways-to-give. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 814, Latrobe, Pa. 15650.