More than 50 dogs arrived in the Fox Valley Monday afternoon to find their "furever" homes after escaping Hurricane Harvey.
56 dogs, ranging in age from 3 months to 6.5 years old, will be up for adoption at the Fox Valley Humane Association (FVHA) and Oshkosh Humane Society as soon as next week, according to FVHA Executive Director Deb Lewis.
"We're helping the Texas shelters make more space so that they can bring more animals in there and save more lives there," Lewis explained. "It's a partnership. Everybody does their part and we're going to have a happy ending."
The dogs were flown into Appleton by Wings of Rescue, a volunteer rescue group.
Across the country, shelters are accepting animals displaced or abandoned after recent hurricanes.
"Think about how the Red Cross rallies for human beings all across the country when something like this happens," said Lewis. "Well we're the animal Red Cross, and this is going on all over the United States right now."
With about 100,000 pets displaced, FVHA is expecting more flights of pets to arrive in the Fox Valley.
"It's so important to be able to open your doors and extend your arms and say we can help, we can make a difference," Lewis said. "Every little bit that can be done will make a difference, it's what makes miracles happen."
The animals have gone through a lot of trauma, Lewis explained, so the first thing the shelter will do is let them rest. After that, their team of three veterinarians will treat the dogs and get them ready for adoption.
"We're going to do whatever is needed to be done to send all 56 of these animals into good homes," Lewis said.
The dogs could be up for adoption by the end of next week, she told NBC26. Some will be at the Fox Valley Humane Association, while others will be at the Oshkosh Humane Society.
13 dogs were previously brought to Saving Paws Animal Rescue in Appleton from the Houston area and all of them were adopted.
"I'm firmly convinced that these animals know that we are doing whatever we can to make their life better," Lewis explained. "They know they're being handled with care and love. They're going to be frightened but they're going to come around very quickly and it's going to make all the difference in the world to them and to us too."
If you can't adopt one of the animals, you can still help. Contact FVHA if you're interested in fostering an animal.
You can also make a cash donation to help with the dogs' medical expenses.
To adopt or make a donation, visit the FVHA website here. You can also call them at (920) 733-1717. To foster a dog, contact Amy at volunteers@foxvalleypets.org.
