Leah Craig Chamblee of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville said she is working around the clock to get the animals out of the danger zone. “We lost everything. The building was completely flooded. Everything we had was lost.”
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A race is on to evacuate more than 100 animals from a major animal shelter in Asheville, North Carolina, ahead of Hurricane Helen’s torrential rains and devastating flooding, all of which saved their lives. It is highly likely that However, this shelter was later destroyed in historic flooding, and a fight has begun to find more permanent housing.
“It’s been a really, really tough week for everyone,” said Leah Craig Chamblee of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. “We work 24 hours a day.”
The shelter primarily cares for dogs and cats, but also pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
“We know that when the river rises, water will come into the building, and we were seriously considering the worst-case scenario of 6 to 12 inches,” she said.
However, this storm far exceeded those levels.
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Volunteers safely rescue 100 dogs, cats and other pets before devastating flooding in Asheville, North Carolina (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
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Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina. (Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)
“So we knew we needed to get the animals outside,” she says. “The day before this storm, we sent out a social plea and email to our supporters, foster parents and volunteers saying, ‘Can you help?'”
100 animals evacuated in 2 hours
And the community rallied to save the animals.
“We removed 100 animals from that building in two hours and have already placed 50 animals into foster homes,” she said. “So, after the storm came, we woke up and actually went to a shelter the next day. And we were immediately cut off from the rest of the world, so you’re still We didn’t know what was going to happen. And you’re seeing water in your neighborhood and hearing from people, and this is a very early moment to realize the catastrophe that happened.”
Then she arrived at the shelter building, but it was in ruins.
Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina.
(Brother Wolf Animal Rescue/FOX Weather)
“When I went there and saw everything under the water, it was really shocking,” she said. “And, well, thank God we rescued them… If we hadn’t done that, they would all have died in that building.”
She said their building has saved the lives of more than 100,000 animals over its history, “and then (the building) is gone. Everything we have is gone.” .
“We work throughout Western North Carolina, so the support we bring to this community is critical,” Chamblee said. “So all of these communities that are being impacted are communities that we serve. We know these communities. They look nothing like the communities we know. But we’re going to be here to help them and get our lives back.” After this, we’re on our feet. ”
Now begins the process of ensuring that the evacuated animals are well cared for as they begin the long recovery process.
Damage left behind after Hurricane Helen struck Asheville, North Carolina.
(Brother Wolf Animal Rescue/FOX Weather)
“Fortunately, our foster families are very proactive in keeping these animals safe,” she said. “No one thought we would have to care for animals in these conditions or for this length of time.”
As for shelters, support has been pouring in from all over the country, but even more will be needed.
“We need a lot of support and we’re really happy for everyone who cared for us and sent love,” she said. “Asheville is great. I mean, Asheville is love. Asheville is a community, Asheville is Dogtown USA…This is what Brother Wolf has seen from this community for many years. We are a community. It’s the heart and soul of this community that makes up Brother Wolf, and we need the entire country to take notice of us and help us rebuild right now. is. ”
