SOCIETY POISED TO HELP

Geauga Humane Society to help animal shelters

The Geauga County Humane Society’s Rescue Village has affirmed its commitment to help other animal shelters following news of the havoc Hurricane Harvey has wreaked.

According to an Aug. 29 statement released by the Russell Township no-kill shelter, “Rescue Village is currently working to assist animals from shelters in Texas and Louisiana that are being flooded by Hurricane Harvey.”

Although no firm plans have been laid yet, Rescue Village/ Geauga Humane Society marketing and public relations coordinator Leah Backo said the organization is ready, willing and able to help shelters down South.

“We’re basically on standby to help any shelters (in the affected regions),” she said Aug. 29 at Rescue Village. “All of the shelters down there know we’re ready and willing to help.”

Rescue Village noted in its statement that it helped some Louisiana shelters around the same time last year, when the Geauga Humane Society welcomed dogs from shelters affected by the flooding in Louisiana then. It adds that it hopes

“to help in a similar way this year and take in and rehome both dogs and cats affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

Rescue Village’s executive director, Hope Brustein, affirmed the organization’s stance.

“In response to the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, Rescue

Village is opening its doors to animals in need of lifesaving support,” Brustein said. “This is a complex situation on the ground, including the crucial efforts to reunite animals with their owners. There will no doubt be a large number of dogs and cats who need to find safe haven and new homes far outside the flood zones. We are in touch with the Houston SPCA and other shelters, including in Louisiana. Our hearts go out to the people and an-

imals facing such dire circumstances.”

Backo said anyone wishing to directly help the efforts of shelters in the affected communities should contact the Houston SPCA, the SPCA’s headquarters or any other, larger-scale shelter in the affected areas.

She also said folks may donate to Rescue Village’s transportation contingent, which may go into action once specifics about taking in any affected animals are hashed out.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD A Geauga County Humane Society volunteer who asked not to be identified walks Jacob, a 5-year-old cattle dog mix who is available for adoption, on the trails behind Rescue Village, the organization’s no-kill shelter, on Aug. 29. The shelter is on...