MONROE, LOUISIANA (October 17, 2005) – Today United Animal Nations (UAN), with assistance from the ASPCA, transferred 32 dogs from its temporary hurricane relief shelter to several animal welfare organizations in North Carolina.
Through its volunteer-based Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), UAN has been caring for more than 200 dogs who were rescued from the streets and homes of New Orleans. Volunteers have already reunited nearly two dozen dogs with their caregivers and are now moving the remaining animals to long-term foster care situations throughout the country while the search for their owners continues.
“We are so grateful to the North Carolina organizations that are helping us relocate these dogs,” said UAN president and CEO Jennifer Fearing. “Our volunteers have been providing these dogs with tender loving care for the past month and we know that level of care will continue in their new foster homes.”
The four North Carolina organizations that are receiving the animals are: Carolina Canines in Wilmington, Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, New Leash on Life in Raleigh and VCA Durant Road Animal Hospital in Raleigh. The ASPCA arranged transportation on two trucks that left Monroe at approximately 9 p.m. CST today. The caravan will make three stops in North Carolina and is expected to unload the last dogs in Raleigh on Tuesday evening. The dogs will be held until December 31, 2005 in foster care, giving their displaced owners plenty of time to locate their animals. Upon positive proof of ownership, UAN will cover any costs associated with reuniting the families with their pets.
UAN has been heavily involved in the animal relief efforts in the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29. Nearly 300 trained EARS volunteers have deployed to assist with the operation of four emergency animal shelters in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. UAN also provided support for animal recovery operations in St. Bernard Parish in Chalmette, Louisiana, rescuing more than 600 animals and transferring them to other shelters.
Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations is recognized as North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.
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