Paws Place Dog Rescue continues to recover following Monday’s storm

WINNABOW, NC (WWAY) — Many businesses throughout the Cape Fear are trying to recover from Monday’s storm, with one of them being Paws Place Dog Rescue in Winnabow.

Due to roads leading into and out of Winnabow becoming impassable, two employees and 40 dogs were unable to leave, as the water began to creep closer.

Bags of dry dog food were used as makeshift sandbags to prevent flooding, which ended up working, but now the kennel has no dog food left.

Lee VanOrmer is president of the Board of Directors for the rescue.

She said the support they’ve received from the community has been great to see.

“We have the best community,” VanOrmer said. “They came out and helped us in Florence and they came out again this time. They’re already sending us dog food cause we told them, hey we used a lot of our dog food as sand bags. They were, they were passing the word around when they said, you know, I can’t get out there that night to help you, but I know somebody that has a truck that could possibly get through that kind of water.”

VanOrmer said making sure the kennel is better prepared with proper sandbags, better protected electrical systems and food for employees will be a priority, and she added the kennel is asking for donations to help out.