ASPCA heads to NC to help animals stranded by flooding

LUMBERTON, NC (WWAY) —  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is working to help animals stranded or left homeless by Hurricane Matthew.

According to a news release, the ASPCA deployed members of its disaster response team to assist in animal rescue and sheltering needs in Lumberton. Since last week, the ASPCA has assisted nearly 950 animals through pre-evacuation, field rescue, transport and sheltering needs in Georgia and South Carolina.

“Local officials estimate hundreds of animals may be affected in Lumberton at this point, and we will assist them with sheltering displaced animals in the community and animal rescue requests,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “For many, pets are members of the family, and we will do everything we can and continue to go out into the field to search for lost pets and hopefully reunite them with their owners.”

Forecasters warned that waters were still on the rise in some areas of Robeson County, and the ASPCA anticipates requests for assistance will increase. Nearly 25 deaths have been reported in the U.S. due to the deadly Category 4 storm as it made its way up the East Coast after killing hundreds in Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas.