Harvey Hounds Arrive In New Jersey Seeking Homes
EMERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Dogs evacuated away from the Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Harvey's landfall have arrived in New Jersey looking for permanent homes.
The homeless hounds were shipped from the Southern Paws animal shelter in Louisiana in order to make room for dogs being sent over from storm-ravaged Houston.
"All the animals that we have here and that we personally have pulled were going to end up being euthanized to make room. I mean, that's the reality on a daily basis," organizer Robyn Urman told CBS2's Dave Carlin. "But the amounts of animals that are coming in -- the influx is just scary crazy."
Harvey brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches, the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental U.S. Forecasters say the storm will finally dissipate Saturday evening around Ohio.
The rescue effort was coordinated by Pet ResQ Inc. to bring approximately 60 dogs to the Pet Valu in Emerson, N.J.
Urman figured out the difficult logistics, enlisting volunteers from more than 10 animal shelters and organizations.
But Urman said the heavy lifting was done by Tami-Jo Faller, who rented a van full of cages.
"I'm a mom. I have an autistic son. That's my job," she told Carlin.
For a full week, it was her mission to drive two round-trips between New Jersey and Louisiana.
"It makes being gone seven days OK with me, because I know I made a difference some place," she said.
The group will make trip No. 3 Thursday, this time heading to Texas to drop off donated supplies and bring back more dogs.
"Whatever there's vetted, whatever's ready, whatever's healthy we'll get back up on the next transport," Faller said.
Foster owners made arrangements ahead of time to bring home the dogs. Now that the animals have arrived, people interest in adoptions can contact Pet ResQ through the group's website at www.Petresqinc.org or www.PetFinder.com.
If adoption isn't the right fit, you can also help by dropping off pet food and other dog-related supplies at the Pet Valu and they will get to Texas by the end of next week.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)