How To Help Pets Affected By Hurricane Dorian

As Hurricane Dorian continues its path along Canada’s east coast, we’re only beginning to understand the damage it has caused thus far, particularly in hard-hit areas like the Bahamas.

Last week, we shared tips on how to help those individuals impacted by the hurricane. And unfortunately, animals in affected areas have suffered, too.

According to reports from over the weekend, more than 100 animals died at a shelter in the Bahamas because of heavy flooding. (In a post on the shelter’s Facebook, the executive director said kennels were submerged in five feet of water. 156 dogs and cats survived.)

If you want to help these animals affected by Dorian — and shelters in the northeast that took in hundreds of animals from impacted areas — below you’ll find various ways to contribute:

• The Humane Society of the Grand Bahamas, the shelter in question, has a GoFundMe page set up for donations. Contributions will go toward supplies and airlifting animals outside of the Bahamas.

  They’ll also accept donations through the Kohn Foundation, a non-profit that works with the HSGB. You can check the GoFundMe page or the shelter’s Facebook for updates.

• The Best Friends Animal Society is accepting donations as part of it Disaster Relief Fund; the funds will go toward emergency assistance of pets during natural disasters (not limited to Dorian). BFAS is providing updates on its Facebook page regarding shelters with animals rescued from Dorian.

• The Humane Society of the United States accepts donations for disaster relief as part of its general Emergency Animal Rescue Fund. According to their website, donations will go toward emergency preparation and response-related activities, including providing resources for animals in need and hiring emergency response staff.

Be wary of any donation page or GoFundMe that claims to represent an organisation that helps victims of Dorian; according to the Humane Society of the Grand Bahamas, there is only one GoFundMe page representing them (so don’t fall for others unless you’ve contacted that shelter directly and properly vetted the campaigner’s relationship with that organisation through their social media presence).