KHS Providing Free Veterinary Care, Delivering Supplies, Volunteering at Impacted Shelters, Transporting Animals in Need of Urgent Medical Care
The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) is on the ground in Eastern Kentucky through today, where it spent the past week supporting shelters, animals and communities impacted by the floods in 2022. Since Tuesday, KHS has made multiple trips to the region to deliver free pet veterinary services to local residents and deliver thousands of dollars of supplies and staff support to the Kentucky River Regional Animal Shetler (KRASS) and Floyd County Animal Shelter (FCAS). KHS is also transporting to KHS several animals in need of urgent medical care – a dog with tumors and Demodectic mange and a cat with a damaged eye and her kittens, some of whom are suffering from upper respiratory infections.
On Tuesday, KHS’ CARE-a-van mobile veterinary clinic arrived in Hazard, Kentucky to provide three days of free spay/neuter surgeries, free vaccines, free microchipping and pet wellness services for dogs and cats owned by residents of Perry, Breathitt, Letcher and Knott Counties.
On Thursday and Friday, KHS delivered thousands of dollars of medical, cleaning, office and shelter supplies to KRASS and FCAS. KHS staff volunteered to support the shelters and their hardworking staff, including walking dogs, helping with animals and cleaning kennels. KRASS and FCAS, like rural shelters across the state, are severely overcrowded and simply don’t have enough resources or local adopters.
“Our hearts go out to the communities recovering from the devastating floods in July,” said Alisa Gray, President & CEO of KHS. “We have been supporting shelters and animals in the region since the flooding and it’s important that we continue to be there for them as they continue to recover by bringing in much-needed supplies, veterinary care and staff support.”
“We’re really thankful that KHS came out to help us with everything, because there are only 4 employees here so we really need all the help we can get,” said Elexid Craft, an FCAS employee.
When the flooding occurred in July, KHS immediately sent in transport vehicles, delivered food and supplies to shelters and families, and provided financial aid and manpower to impacted shelters. Over the course of several weeks and multiple trips to the region, KHS transported more than 270 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies to KHS from shelters in the hardest-hit areas, including Hazard and Floyd Counties. All the animals were up for adoption prior to the flooding, surrendered by their owners, or past their 30-day disaster stray hold. Removing them helped make room in the shelters for pets displaced by the flooding, so they could be reunited with their families.
