By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When Hurricane Matthew swept through South Carolina earlier this month, it displaced more than people. The flooding sent more than 10 dogs packing from an animal shelter in hard-hit Horry County to a shelter here in Wood County.
Five of the dogs have already been adopted from the Wood County Humane Society in Bowling Green, but the others are still in need of “forever homes,” according to April McCurdy, behavior and training coordinator at the local shelter.
As an emergency placement partner with the U.S. Humane Society, the Wood County Humane Society was contacted to see if it had room for any of the dogs at the South Carolina shelter. The dogs needed to be cleared out to make room for dogs displaced by the flooding.
The local humane society officials offered space, and then traveled to Pennsylvania, where South Carolina workers were transporting dogs to meet up staff from five different shelters. They brought more than 60 dogs to divide up for lodging.
“We told them we could pretty much take anything,” McCurdy said, noting that some shelters have breed or size restrictions. “It makes more work, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
The Wood County Humane Society Shelter, on Van Camp Road, has 12 kennels and already had eight dogs at the time. Fortunately, the dogs were compatible with each other.
“The dogs all managed to get along together,” McCurdy said. “So we could pair them up.”
A few of the dogs seemed a little traumatized by the long trip, but are doing well now.
“Some of them were nervous at first,” she said. “They wouldn’t walk on a leash, so we had to pick them up and carry them around.”
The transplanted dogs are all between 4 months and 7 years old. The local shelter did not accept any cats from South Carolina since there are already about 50 here.
“We’re always full” with cats, McCurdy said.
One displaced dog had heartworm, and has already been placed in a “foster home” until he has recovered.
The local humane society is sponsored by Purina, so it gets a discount on food. But donations are always welcome, especially at times like this when additional expenses are incurred, McCurdy said. Volunteers are also always needed, for tasks such as morning cleaning of the kennels or walking the dogs. Anyone wanting to adopt, volunteer or donate, may reach the shelter at 419-352-7339.
