Local organizations helping reunite families affected by Hurricane

UPDATE:

To register to become a foster for an animal flown out of Texas to a shelter near you, click here.

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Thousands of people evacuated, many forced to leave their furry loved ones behind.

One California company is working to help reunite families affected by Hurricane Harvey with their pets.

“Katrina had a big influence on us and because of it, we wanted to do work with rescues and we also wanted to help pets that are either getting caught in the storm or have no place to go.” Fera Mostow, board member of Wings of Rescue.

Wings of Rescue, based in Livermore, California, is flying shelter dogs out of flooded areas in Louisiana and Texas to make room for displaced pets, in hopes they will eventually be reunited with their families.

“We’re trying to empty the shelters so that people who have lost their pets will find a place to get them when first responders bring them in,” Mostow said.

One of the first flights out is headed to Southern California on Monday.

“Right now, the San Diego area is really contributing a lot, so now the CV is trying to find enough space between all the shelters and rescue groups to really provide some more place for the animals,” said Daniel Sumner, Director of Operations for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Representatives with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter say they have been in contact with the Houston shelters who are working with Wings of Rescue but only have room for about 15 dogs.

“The flights take about 100 animals out so we need to find spots for about 100 animals through the whole valley,” Sumner said.

In order for this to come to fruition, this is really going to need to be a community effort.

If you want to help, you can make a monetary donation to Wings of Rescue here or you can call the Palm Springs Animal Shelter at (760) 416-5718 and let them know you are willing to foster.