Locals help overloaded shelters in South Carolina
Old Dominion Humane Society transported almost 60 rescue dogs last week from South Carolina to Fredericksburg to alleviate overcrowding after devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Darlington County Humane Society received dozens of displaced dogs and scrambled to find their owners. Old Dominion and other rescues in Mid-Atlantic states helped by taking dogs already in shelters before the hurricanes hit.
Old Dominion was expecting 58 dogs within one week and had to line the hallways with crates to make room for them all.
"We're happy we can care for these dogs and hopefully get them adopted to families that will give them a chance to live a great life," said Chrissy Blake, ODHS founder.
Among the dogs from Darlington at Old Dominion include Starburst and the "Berry Pups:" Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Raspberry.
The hurricane devastation is the latest hit to shelters nationwide, which are caring for 245,000 more animals than in 2022, according to Shelter Animals Count. Adoptions also have slowed and added to the backlog.
